Author: Dr.Lee from Tong-In Clinic
Editor : Sia
Have you ever heard of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, the MBTI of Korean traditional medicine? If so, do you know which body type you belong to? 🧐
In Korean traditional medicine, our bodies are viewed as individual mini-universes. This means that each person has their own unique story, and different illnesses can manifest very differently from person to person.
While our bodies are all different, they can be grouped by certain common characteristics - this is what we call 'constitution' or 'body type'.
The most well-known classification is the Sasang typology, which can be divided into anywhere from 2 to 16 types, depending on the practitioner.
Your constitution type can influence your personality and even determine which foods are best suited for your body. It can also indicate which illnesses you're more prone to and the most effective treatment methods for you.
In this article, Dr. Lee Seung-hwan from Tongin Korean Medicine Clinic will explain the basic principles of constitution classification in Korean traditional medicine and the corresponding treatment methods!
1. Korean Traditional Medicine's Unique Development and Sasang Constitutional Medicine
Let’s go for a quick history lesson. 📚
If you take a look at the "Dongui Bogam," a medical encyclopedia from the Joseon Dynasty, you'll notice it references many Chinese medical texts. This shows the close relationship between Korean and Chinese traditional medicine.
But here's where it gets interesting! The Dongui Bogam also introduces herbs that are only found in Korea. It's like watching the evolution of Korean medicine - starting from a common root with Chinese medicine but then branching out into its own unique treatments.
Now, let's talk about "Sasang Constitutional Medicine." It was created by a Korean physician named Lee Je-ma in the late Joseon period. Unlike traditional Eastern medicine, which focuses on diseases and treatments, Sasang theory puts the spotlight on the individual.
Ever wondered why some people get an upset stomach from a meal while others are totally fine? Or why some people stay healthy during flu season? Sasang theory can help explain these differences!
But wait, there's more! Young Korean traditional doctors today are blending the old with the new. They're using Western anatomical theories to treat muscles, tendons, and ligaments with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture(acupuncture with medicine injection), thread-embedding therapy, and more.
And because we Koreans are all about that glow-up life 💅, Korean traditional medicine has also developed treatments for skincare and beauty. Think herbal medicines for weight loss, cosmetic acupuncture, and even thread lifting for non-surgical facelifts!
2. Different Bodies, Different Treatments: The Personalized Approach of Sasang Medicine
Sasang Constitutional Medicine was created by Lee Je-ma, who studied Confucianism. It uses Eastern philosophy to classify body types based on personality and emotions. The principles can be quite complex and deep.
Some Korean medicine doctors specialize exclusively in Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Personally, I only apply it to patients whose body types are clearly defined.
I have a case where applying Sasang principles led to rapid treatment. A patient came in with digestive issues that weren't improving with standard herbal medicine. Upon examination, I discovered the patient was a "Taeyang-type" - the rarest of the Sasang types. I prescribed herbs tailored to this body type, and the patient improved dramatically within a week. If we had continued with a different approach, treatment might have taken much longer and been less effective.
3. What Korean Traditional Medicine Treatment Do You Need?: Pain Relief / Chronic Conditions & K-beauty / Internal Medicine
Korean traditional medicine treatments can be broadly categorized into three types. At Tongin Clinic, we prioritize tailoring treatments to each patient's symptoms and constitution.
It's crucial to choose methods that patients are comfortable with. For example, if someone is terrified of acupuncture, we can still achieve good results with cupping or Chuna therapy. If the taste and smell of liquid herbal medicine are off-putting, we can prescribe pills instead!
Our goal is to provide effective treatment in the most comfortable way possible for patients. However, sometimes a bit of discomfort is necessary for healing. In those cases, we'll use humor to help ease the pain! 😁
▶Pain Relief: Acupuncture / Cupping / Pharmacopuncture / Chuna
These are the treatments most people associate with Korean medicine clinics.
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Acupuncture: Stimulates meridians and acupoints to improve qi and blood circulation, reducing pain. Effective for muscle pain, arthritis, sprains, and internal conditions.
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Cupping: Improves blood flow and removes toxins by applying pressure to the skin. Made famous internationally by swimmer Michael Phelps!
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Pharmacopuncture: Combines acupuncture and herbal medicine by injecting sterile herbal extracts into acupoints. Great for reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Also used for body shaping and gynecological issues.
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Chuna: Similar to chiropractic, it adjusts the spine and joint alignment to relieve pain and balance the body. Effective for tech(Tuttle) neck, pelvic misalignment, and musculoskeletal imbalances.
▶Chronic Conditions & K-BEAUTY: Thread-embedding Therapy / Acupotomy
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Thread-embedding: Inserts special surgical threads into acupoints for continuous stimulation. Used for chronic musculoskeletal pain and cosmetic purposes (face/nose lifting). A popular pre-surgery method with minimal downtime.
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Acupotomy: Uses a knife-like needle to directly stimulate adhesive fascia and tissues. Often used for chronic conditions.
▶Internal Medicine & Qi-Blood Circulation: Moxibustion / Herbal Medicine
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Moxibustion: Stimulates acupoints and promotes blood circulation through heat from burning herbs. Boosts immunity, improves circulation and reduces inflammation. Often used for digestive and gynecological issues.
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Herbal Medicine: The crown jewel of Korean medicine! Prescribed based on body type and symptoms, it comes in various forms and treats a wide range of conditions, from colds to chronic diseases and musculoskeletal pain.
Sasang Constitutional Medicine classifications can vary slightly between Korean medicine doctors, so it's best to visit a clinic to discover your body type. Unlike MBTI, it's not something you can accurately determine instantly. Sometimes, a single consultation and pulse diagnosis can reveal your constitution, while in other cases, it may take multiple sessions of diagnosis and treatment to make a determination.
Feeling a bit more familiar with Korean traditional medicine now?
Remember, through consultation with a Korean medicine doctor, you can receive treatments tailored to your preferences and needs. If you haven't visited a Korean medicine clinic yet, why not give it a try? It might just be the holistic health approach you've been looking for! 🥰
