Korean Job Discussion Forums

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

I have a Korea friend, he hurt his hand, and so he goes to this oriental medical clinic. The doctor told him that his hand was not broken, and so for two weeks he just endured the pain. Then he went to a western clinic and they took an exray that showed a hairline fracture.

This same friend just told me today that his mother was told by the oriental clinic that she needs to take 300,000 won pills each month to help her with some backaches she has been having.

What or who is the Oriental clinic?

My friend told me it was Chinese medicine, and very powerful, but I have my doubts....

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Over-priced placebo. Sugar pills are cheaper and safer.

Naruto · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Location: Irvine, CA

Hokey pokey medicine can help with mental stress and minor injuries such as a backache or headache but not true physical ailments like bone breaks, or muscle tears.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject:

It's the old alleopathic/homeopathic medicine debate. Certainly nothing is perfect, but also remember - 90% of all illnesses, if left alone, wil be cured by the body itsself. Personally, I would never see chiropractor and if I wanted to land a probe on Mars, I would be talking to astronomers not consulting astrologers.

The placebo effect is real and powerful. If one believe in something one's brain can do amazing things - that's how voodo works. When a person who believes in voodo has been cursed, their brain puts their nervous system into overdrive, they stop eating and die in a few days. Did voodo kill them?... or did they kill themselves?

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

My friend Jong-Ho had tennis elbow. His Oriental doctor stuck some needles in his body in various spots, told him to return weekly for more acupuncture and to lay off playing tennis for a month. Jong-Ho took a recess from playing tennis and skipped the return (expensive) visits to the doc. And voila! The pain went away. I'd say Jong-Ho is on the right track. Sort through the crap and use the practical advice.

Cedar · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:05 am Post subject:

There are things the Hanuiwon can do, and things they cannot. They don't have the ability to x-ray to see a hairline fracture, but they have done wonders for all sorts of injuries I've had that have no included broken bones. I'll go to a good Hanuiwon (there are many bad ones, too) before the "take 500 pills and rest" hospital anyday of the week, month, year, century.

simone · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Now Mostly @ Home

Think of a tree, (grasshopper)

When the tree is damaged, the wind breaks a branch, or a special infection starts to rot one limb, you call in the tree surgeon to carefully amputate that limb, to save the tree. This is western medicine. Something is broken, or needs to be cut out, go to the hospital.

What oriental medicine does is treat the tree to make the leaves greener and fluffyier, and perhaps over time make the branches and limbs stronger to prevent such future need for a tree surgeon.

When I had annoying circulation problems in my feet, I went with much satisfaction to the hanyak doctor. When I had what I believed to be appendicitis, I was in the next taxi to Seoul National University Hospital.

One is not any kind of substitute for the the other.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

yesterday's child · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:41 am Post subject:

cruisemonkey · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 1:02 am Post subject:

yesterday's child · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

you weren't drunk! i've read your other posts and those are even worse.

this error ridden gibberish is some of your best work here.

desultude · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:52 am Post subject:

yesterday's child · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 4:46 am Post subject:

so sad, dee. you are definitely the loneliest person in Korea. <boo-hoo>

don't you have anybody to love besides your cat, woman? Confused