Traditional Korean Medicine
Prehistoric Times
Korean traditional medicine originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far as 3000 B.C. The Chinese influence dates later to the period of the Three Kingdoms. The Chinese Five Elements, aspects of Qi, are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Good health is a harmonious balance of all the elements, and each one of us is a unique and characteristic blend of the influences of all the elements.
Oriental Clinic of Traditional Korean and Chinese Medicine
Dr. Oh was an English speaking acupuncturist in Seoul, South Korea. He was trained in China in traditional Chinese pharmocology and interventional elements such as herbal medicine and fumigation. In 1986 I was treated by Dr. Oh for a knee injury. His home/office was located very near the Blue House, the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state. To reach his clinic required passing by the very visible security detail. Photo: Dr. Oh and my right knee.
Treatment
I went diving in the Philippines and within a few days after returning to Korea started to limp. The pain became so bad that I sought medical attention. X-rays, an MRI and examinations by several doctors revealed nothing. By this time I needed crutches to walk. A Korean friend suggested that I go to see Dr. Oh. His diagnoses suggested that the problem related to an old back injury, it being on the same median as my right knee and caused it to falter. Interestingly, when he stuck a long needle at a certain point into my knee I felt pain at the place of injury in my back. The inverse was also true. However, within three weeks of twice weekly treatments the pain subsided and I no longer needed crutches to walk. There has been no reoccurrence.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Formulae
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of viewing an individual or patient as a system with different statuses, and has accumulated numerous herbal formulae. In treating my problem Dr. Oh prescribed a combination of herbs, and with his instructions I purchased them from a well know local dealer whom he trusted. Later, he agreed to teach me a little about herbal formulae and its uses. Fascinated, I became a weekly regular at his clinic where he would teach me during his spare time. I purchased books on the subject, would often visit the herb dealer, and was able to identify and combine certain ingredients to treat a series of minor ailments.
Belief Systems
Dr. Oh’s political beliefs were set in motion early on by his father who was a Korean activist during the early years of the Japanese occupation of Korea. On the wall of his clinic hung a protest painting of that era. His beliefs about health and human happiness centred on natural living, and in many ways he rejected modernity. He and his wife lived in a large traditional style Korean house with ondol underfloor heating, high walled on four sides and with an inner courtyard. In the courtyard he kept several very large kimchi style jars that were filled with water and exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time as a natural method of extracting impurities. This was used as drinking water and also in cooking their meals. Dr. Oh maintained strong convictions of what it took to live a good life.
