Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Seoul

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also called physiatry, is a medical specialty that aims to enhance and restore the functional ability to a person who has been disabled as a result of an injury, disease, or disorder. The main goal is to help patients become as functional and pain-free as possible, as well as to help them enjoy their lives as fully as possible.

A physician who has completed training in physiatry is known as a physiatrist. They will assess and assure that their patients are medically stable to participate in therapies. A variety of disorders and diseases can be managed by physiatrists, particularly conditions of the joints, muscles, bones, and central or peripheral nervous system that affect a person’s ability to function. However, many physiatrists also specialize. While physiatrists do not perform surgery, they are qualified to perform numerous diagnostic tests and treatments. Some of the most common procedures they can do are as follows:

• Physical examinations
• Imaging studies
• Therapeutic exercise
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Peripheral joint injections
• Fluoroscopy guided procedures
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Trigger point injections
• Spasticity management
• Interventional spinal therapeutics.

In some cases, physiatrists may also perform acupuncture, platelet-rich plasma injections, prolotherapy, and autologous stem cell treatments. They can also prescribe specific exercise programs, as well as assistive and adaptive equipment, such as prescribing proper orthoses. They are trained to lead and coordinate care with the rehabilitation team, including, but not limited to, physical therapy, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, internal medicine, and psychiatry. 

How Long Should I Stay in Seoul?

Since the treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual needs of the patient, the length of stay in Seoul can be different for each person. For some diseases and disorders, such as stroke and chronic pain, a two to four weeks stay may be needed. During your stay, you may need to see your physiatrist 5 to 6 days a week at most. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

There is usually no recovery time after you finish your treatment program, though you may be asked to gradually increase your activity level over time. However, this can be different depending on the condition, injury, disease, or disorder you have. Your physiatrist will give you a detailed recovery timeline, including when you can return to your normal routine.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will most likely be given specific instructions on how to care for yourself, speed up your recovery process, and avoid further complications. If you are given an exercise program to carry out at home, make sure to do this as directed. For some diseases or disorders, regular checkups may be needed. You can usually choose to do the checkups with your local doctor in your home country if you prefer.

What's the Success Rate?

Due to the comprehensive nature of their training and the broad spectrum of conditions treated, physiatrists can design and adapt to new technologies. This means that, with continuous research and advancement of physical medicine and rehabilitation, the treatment program is now safer and more successful than ever.

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives to physical medicine and rehabilitation depend on your disorder, disease, or injury. In most cases, there is no other alternative than to see a physiatrist to help you recover. However, for some conditions, such as back pain, you may be able to see other medical professionals, such as chiropractors. Still, ensure you consult with your doctor beforehand.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in and around Seoul

About Seoul

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea and is one of the most affluent cities in Asia with high per capita income. Seoul is a city of differences as you can find anything from ancient monuments and palaces to modern skyscrapers. Every year the city attracts over 10 million tourists from different parts of the world. While some visit Seoul to enjoy its rich culture, others come to experience the fascinating metropolitan vibe, large numbers of medical tourists visit this busy city to undergo various medical procedures for cheaper prices and to enjoy the Korean hospitality. As per reports from the South Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare, the number of medical tourists in 2016 increased to 364,000, which is 23% more than in 2015. Some of the more popular procedures sought-after in Seoul are gynecology related treatments, stem cell therapy, treatments in neurology & endocrinology, laser treatments, transplants, and cardiology.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, most medical tourists are from China, Uzbekistan, UAE, Japan, and Canada. Seoul is dynamically emerging as one of the most preferred destinations for medical tourism. The city proudly houses one JCI accredited hospital. The other top-rated medical hospitals include the Severance Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, MizMedi Women's Hospital. The world-class hospitals comprise of VIP rooms, exceptional medical facilities, and highly-reputed physicians. Doctors are fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, and French.

Popular Areas in Seoul

The beautiful River Han flows through the heart of the city. It divides Seoul into North and South and you will find most of the ancient palaces and historical sites in the North. The Southside is quite modern and trendy with neighborhoods like Gangnam which is also the business hub of the city. It is also the residential part of the city with many apartments, and shopping malls.

• River Han: Is the favorite location for both locals and tourists. Here, you can enjoy indulging in exciting water activities such as windsurfing, water skiing, fishing, sailing, and swimming. The banks of the river are the perfect place to lounge and see the lights of the city at night.
• Banpo Bridge: Connects the districts Seocho and Yongsan and It was the first double-deck bridge built in South Korea and is covered with 10000 lights and the  Rainbow Fountain's colored water rains down the side of the bridge.
• Gangnam: It is the most trendy neighborhood and is home to Asia's largest shopping mall, COEX, and several high-end restaurants.
• Hongdae: Four Korean Universities lie close to the neighborhood. Hongdae houses a number of theme-based restaurants and an array of boutiques that cater to the needs of college-goers. Several music venues and glitzy nightclubs make it a perfect place to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
• Myeongdong: Is the best and the largest shopping destination in Korea. It is a shopping mega where you can find clothes, cosmetics, stylish handbags, shoes and accessories, and Jewelry at affordable prices.

Weather and Climate in Seoul

As Seoul lies close to the coast of the Yellow Sea, the climate is continental. Summer and Winter are the two distinct seasons in Seoul. Summer is sultry, hot, and rainy, whereas winter is cold and sunny. The transitional periods are the spring and autumn, which are mild and pleasant.

1. Winter: November to February. The average temperature is around 0°C during winter. The cold air blows in from Asia and during the night time, the temperature can drop to -20°C but it rarely snows during winter.
2. Spring: March to May. Spring is mild and it rains occasionally.
3. Summer: June to August. Seoul receives about 80 mm of rainfall during the summer season. July is the wettest month of the year. The temperature can rise to 35°C during the hot summer days.
4. Autumn: September-October. Autumn is pleasant and rainfall gradually decreases during these months.

Getting around in Seoul

Incheon International Airport lies 48 km west of Seoul. It is the largest in the country and one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is luxurious with an ice-skating rink, casinos, and spas. The airport operates several domestic and international flights to varied parts of the world.

Seoul has one of the finest public transportation systems in the world.

• Seoul Metropolitan subway: It is the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation. There is a total of 22 lines in operation and it costs 0.44$ for a single journey. You can buy tickets at the vending machines found in all subway stations.
• Seoul public buses: There are four different types of buses running in Seoul, each one covering different routes. The cost varies from 0.92$ to $1.63, depending on the bus type and the distance traveled.
• Taxis: Are expensive and are ideal for a large group of people. Regular, deluxe, jumbo, and International taxis are available. The major differences being the size and fare.

Tourist visa in Seoul

South Korea exempts the citizens of 117 countries from obtaining a valid tourist visa to enter the country. Australia, Chile, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, UK, US are some of the visa-exempted countries. They can stay visa-free for a maximum of 90 days.

Citizens of countries like India, China needs to apply for a tourist visa with all the required documents. The visa fee comes to around $30.

Additional Information

1. The official currency of South Korea is the Korean Republican Won (KRW). One US dollar is approximately equivalent to 1149 KRW.
2. You can find ATMs across the City. Some accept foreign cards and dispense cash. You can exchange your currencies to KRW in banks and money exchange booths.
3. Hangul is the national and official language of South Korea. Koreans who are under the age of 40 years understand and speak English better than the rest of the locals.
4. Most people in Korea are not affiliated with any religion. The same holds true in Seoul. Though, a small number of people practice Confucianism and Buddhism.
5. Some of the public holidays in Seoul include New Year's Eve, Korean New Year, Buddha's birthday, Constitution day, Harvest festival, Hangeul day and Christmas.