Chuna Therapy

What is Chuna Therapy (推拿療法)?

Chuna therapy is a representative manual (手技) treatment in Korean medicine. Using the hands, parts of the body, or assistive tools, a Korean medicine doctor pushes (推) and pulls (拿) misaligned vertebrae, joints, and muscles back into proper position. Beyond bones and joints, it aims to restore the balance of surrounding muscles, ligaments, and fascia, addressing the root cause of pain.

Chuna therapy session
▲ Chuna therapy restores spinal/joint alignment and muscle balance
Covered by National Health Insurance Chuna therapy has been included in national health insurance since April 2019, so eligible cases may be covered. (Up to 20 sessions per year, with patient co-payment of 50% or 80% depending on the procedure)

Principles of Chuna Treatment

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Alignment (整列)

Corrects misaligned vertebrae and joints to relieve nerve compression and structural imbalance.

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Relaxation (弛緩)

Releases tight muscles and fascia, breaking the pain cycle and restoring joint range of motion.

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Strengthening (强化)

Stimulates weakened deep muscles to prevent recurrence and stabilize posture.

Who May Benefit from Chuna

Chuna therapy may be applied to a variety of musculoskeletal concerns, including:

Neck / Lumbar Disc (HIVD) Spinal Stenosis Forward-head / Straight-neck Scoliosis / Kyphosis Frozen Shoulder / Rotator Cuff Issues Pelvic Imbalance Chronic Low Back Pain Headache / Tension Shoulder Stiffness Traffic Accident Sequelae Sports Injuries

Features of Chuna Care at Osundosun

Specialized Musculoskeletal Care

Under Chief Director Soonhyung Ahn's musculoskeletal focus, we address both the joints and the fascia contributing to pain.

Integrated Approach: Acupuncture · Chuna · Pharmacopuncture
Rather than relying on alignment correction alone, we combine acupuncture to relax muscles with ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture to precisely address the lesion, tackling the source of pain from multiple angles.
Intensity Tailored to Each Patient
Age, body type, pain intensity, and underlying conditions are considered when selecting technique and intensity. For older patients or those with low bone density, gentle release and alignment techniques are prioritized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chuna painful or risky?
Because a Korean medicine doctor selects a technique matched to each patient after examination, safety is prioritized. Some discomfort may occur during treatment but is generally tolerable. Chuna is not performed in contraindicated cases such as fractures, acute inflammation, or severe osteoporosis.
How many sessions are needed?
It varies significantly by symptom and cause. Simple myofascial pain may improve within a few sessions, while structural issues like disc herniation or stenosis may require weeks to months of consistent care. A personalized plan is explained at your visit.
Is it covered by national health insurance?
Yes, Chuna therapy is a covered benefit. The out-of-pocket cost varies with the type of procedure (simple vs. complex) and diagnosis, and there is an annual limit of 20 sessions per person. For details, please see the Price page or ask at your visit.

Proper alignment is the beginning of lasting pain care.

Chuna therapy is not a temporary pain suppressant but a process of restoring the body's balance.
With accurate diagnosis and personalized care, long-standing pain can be managed step by step.

Osundosun Korean Medicine Clinic is dedicated to musculoskeletal pain care.