Author: Director Lee Moon-young (Chief Director, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic) This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
Have you ever heard someone say "go to a Korean medicine clinic" after a traffic accident? It's not just word-of-mouth—there are solid reasons rooted in auto insurance coverage scope and the characteristics of Korean medicine treatment. To put it plainly, auto insurance covers acupuncture, chuna therapy, herbal medicine, and herbal acupuncture at Korean medicine clinics, and comprehensive Korean medicine treatment can practically address blood stasis and soft tissue damage not detected in imaging tests. However, if there are emergency findings such as fractures or internal bleeding, you must visit a Western medicine emergency room first.
Why People Choose Korean Medicine Clinics After Traffic Accidents — The Conclusion First
There is clear institutional basis for the many people who choose Korean medicine clinics after traffic accidents. According to specialized materials from the Korea Insurance Research Institute (KIRI), Korean medicine has been subject to auto insurance treatment fees since 1999, and auto insurance includes herbal medicine, herbal medicine preparation fees, herbal acupuncture, chuna therapy, and Korean medicine physical therapy—items not covered by national health insurance—in its coverage scope. In other words, patients can receive treatment at Korean medicine clinics with no out-of-pocket costs, just like at Western medicine hospitals.
Moreover, over 90% of traffic accident patients experience persistent pain from contusions and sprains not revealed in imaging tests. Even if you received "no abnormalities" from X-rays or MRI, the reason your body continues to feel uncomfortable is precisely due to soft tissue damage. Korean medicine treatment can address comprehensively the pain and sequelae that imaging fails to capture, which is why many people choose it.
However, if there is even the slightest suspicion of emergency findings such as fractures, internal bleeding, or decreased consciousness, visiting a Western medicine emergency room takes priority over a Korean medicine clinic. It is appropriate to proceed with Korean medicine treatment alongside emergency care at the follow-up sequelae management stage.
One more thing — even if vehicle damage appears minor, if you have pain in your body, auto insurance coverage is possible. Don't prematurely give up thinking, "The car isn't very damaged, so insurance probably won't apply."
The Principle Behind Using Korean Medicine Treatment for Traffic Accident Sequelae
Traffic accident impact is not simple muscle soreness. External impact causes blood to deviate from normal circulation pathways and stagnate in the body—a state called blood stasis—and this obstruction of blood circulation, qi flow, and waste elimination causes nonspecific inflammation and pain. A professor at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital's Traffic Accident Clinic (Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department) explains in a "HealTip interview that "blood stasis obstructs blood circulation, qi flow, and waste elimination while causing inflammation and various sequelae," and that Korean medicine treatment can be applied to prevent and improve post-traffic accident sequelae by addressing blood stasis.
For whiplash injuries or lumbar sprains commonly occurring after traffic accidents, acupuncture treatment can work to support recovery of damaged soft tissues and regulate pain signal transmission, and related clinical research continues to build evidence regarding these mechanisms.
Here is a summary of major Korean medicine treatment items applicable to auto insurance:
| Treatment Item | Primary Role |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Muscle tension relief, pain signal regulation |
| Chuna therapy | Spinal and joint alignment improvement |
| Herbal medicine (herbal decoction) | Blood stasis removal, damaged tissue recovery support |
| Herbal acupuncture treatment | Injection of refined herbal medicine acupuncture solution, local inflammation regulation |
| Cupping and Korean medicine physical therapy | Blood circulation improvement, pain relief |
A characteristic of comprehensive Korean medicine treatment is that by operating diverse treatment methods—acupuncture, chuna, herbal acupuncture, herbal medicine—in combination, treatment direction can be flexibly adjusted according to changes in the patient's condition. Of course, all treatments are conducted within medically recognized scope.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic's Approach to Traffic Accident Treatment
At Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic, from immediately after an accident, we conduct systematic sequelae management through skilled chuna therapy, herbal acupuncture for blood stasis, and customized 3-week herbal medicine prescriptions.
The specific treatment progression flow is as follows:
— Initial response immediately after accident: Begin 3-week customized herbal medicine prescription for blood stasis removal. Combine herbal acupuncture for blood stasis to relieve sudden muscle tension and stiffness. If psychological stabilization is needed, prescribe Cheongshimwon; for muscle pain, prescribe Korean medicine patches.
— One week after accident: Coordinate precise imaging tests such as MRI and X-ray through cooperative hospital networks. Concretize acupuncture and chuna therapy treatment plans based on imaging results.
— Intensive chuna therapy period: According to auto insurance standards, chuna therapy is covered up to 20 sessions per accident. During this period, manage spinal and joint alignment intensively through skilled chuna procedures.
— After exhausting 20 chuna sessions: Maintain treatment continuity through ongoing spinal and joint care using a zero-gravity decompression machine. Treatment management continues without abrupt interruption.
— Weekly prescription principle: Instead of 2-4 week long-term prescriptions, confirm the patient's progress weekly and reflect it in prescriptions. Fine adjustments matched to condition changes are possible.
According to Korea Insurance Research Institute (KIRI) materials, medical institutions under auto insurance fee standards must "treat traffic accident patients using universally accepted and reasonable methods within medically recognized scope." Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic's treatment process similarly proceeds in compliance with this standard.
Things to Confirm Before Starting Treatment
Confirming the following items before beginning Korean medicine treatment will make the consultation process much smoother.
— Check for emergency symptoms first: If you experience severe headaches, vomiting, decreased consciousness, or numbness in arms and legs, visit an emergency room rather than a Korean medicine clinic. Korean medicine treatment begins at the stage following emergency care.
— Confirm auto insurance registration status: Have ready the registration number received after notifying the insurer of the accident or the insurance representative's contact information. Even if registration hasn't been completed yet, treatment sometimes begins first, so inform the clinic of your situation.
— Prepare accident details and symptom records: A simple memo of the accident date and time, direction of impact, and currently uncomfortable areas helps accurate condition assessment during initial consultation.
— Minor vehicle damage does not prevent insurance application if there is bodily injury: According to relevant guidance materials, even with minor vehicle damage, auto insurance treatment is applicable if occupants have bodily injury. Don't give up.
— Bring imaging test results: If you've already had tests at a Western medicine hospital, bringing the results allows them to be referenced during consultation.
Additionally, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has published auto insurance treatment fee standards to ensure appropriate treatment for traffic accident patients, so you can receive guidance about treatment costs at the clinic.
Those residing near Gangbuk Mia, Dobong Ssangmun, and Nowon Suraksan can also conveniently visit Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic near Exit 3 of Suyu Station. A large free parking lot in the nearby Garden Tower (328 Dobong-ro) makes vehicle visits convenient.
We Provide Step-by-Step Consultation
If you're unsure what to do immediately after an accident, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic will provide step-by-step consultation.
Immediately after a traffic accident, both insurance handling and treatment choices feel unfamiliar and confusing. Many people come with concerns like "It's already been several days—isn't it too late?" or "I haven't completed insurance registration yet—can I still go?" We can help organize such worries as well.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic operates 365 days a year without closure, opening from 8 a.m. weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Working adults and students can visit before work or school, and evening consultations are also available. Without phone calls, you can confirm consultation reservations at your desired time via Naver Booking.
The treatment space consists of independent private individual rooms for each bed, allowing you to receive treatment comfortably without concern for others' gazes.
If you experience discomfort after an accident, don't delay too long—we recommend visiting once to have your condition assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I receive Korean medicine clinic treatment for traffic accidents through auto insurance with no out-of-pocket costs?
Yes, auto insurance covers acupuncture, chuna therapy, herbal medicine, herbal acupuncture, and Korean medicine physical therapy at Korean medicine clinics. If auto insurance is properly registered, you can receive treatment with no out-of-pocket costs. Bring the insurance registration number or insurance representative's contact information to begin treatment. Coverage may differ depending on individual insurance contract conditions, so checking with your insurer first is recommended.
Q2. Can I visit both a Western medicine hospital and a Korean medicine clinic simultaneously?
Simultaneous treatment at both Western medicine hospitals and Korean medicine clinics is generally possible for traffic accident treatment. However, if duplicate billing occurs at both medical institutions on the same date, verification may be needed during insurance processing. Sharing your current situation with each medical institution and your insurance representative can reduce confusion.
Q3. The MRI or X-ray showed no abnormalities, but do I still need Korean medicine treatment?
Imaging tests are useful for detecting bone or disc damage, but soft tissue damage such as ligaments, muscles, and fascia is not well revealed in imaging. This is why many traffic accident patients experience persistent pain even after receiving "normal test" results. Soft tissue damage and sequelae caused by blood stasis are within the scope that Korean medicine treatment can address, so if symptoms remain, we recommend having an initial consultation.
Q4. Can't I receive treatment after the 20-session chuna therapy limit ends?
Under auto insurance standards, chuna therapy is covered up to 20 sessions per accident. However, treatment doesn't completely end after exhausting all sessions. After the 20-session chuna limit is reached, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic maintains treatment continuity through ongoing spinal and joint management using a zero-gravity decompression machine. If you want continuous uninterrupted management, it's good to have a consultation beforehand.
Q5. I haven't registered the accident yet—can I go to the clinic right away?
You can visit even before registration. First, have an initial consultation to assess your condition, then proceed with insurance registration later. If you don't have a registration number, inform the clinic of your situation before visiting, and you can receive guidance on both beginning treatment and coordinating insurance procedures.
⚠️ This content complies with Article 56 of the Medical Service Act, and results may vary depending on individual conditions.