While you are reading this, hundreds of people who have never been to a Korean traditional clinic are sitting across benevolent looking Korean doctors taking their pulse. As health-interest goes mainstream, Korean Medicine is one of the fields getting the most attention from young and old people. Although not many people are familiar with terms like medical accident, overdiagnosis, etc., certainly the time has changed since when "two syringes of penicillin" meant all the medical treatment they could get.

But the fact that more are aware of the incompleteness of Western health care is not the main reason Korean Medicine is getting all the spotlight. It is because of the notion that traditional medicine can be more effective in treating chronic illnesses, for now almost all acute diseases are curable but cures for splenitis, discs, allergies, ......................, and others that agonizingly discomforts patients are still in the dark.

Internationally too, Eastern Medicine is receiving a lot of boost. Health awareness is spreading across developed countries like a virus! The trend of today is going to health food markets and exercising yoga. Many people are saluting what they call the first generation of common vegetarianism. People are flocking into stores like "Wild Oat's" and "Whole Food Market" in the U.S. where they buy groceries and things like tea leaf-filled pillows, despite the high price. The word "organic" has gained so much popularity that Heinz is marketing organic ketchup in green bottles. But not all consumers at Wild Oat's are crazy with concern on chemical fertilizer or caring so deeply about the environment. They like the healthy feeling they get from them. They are the same people who meditate for health benefits and buy books on alternative Medicine. (Now, there are a whole section of books on Eastern Medicine in most big bookstores) They are starting to realize what Dr. Chopra means when he says "health isn't just the absence of a disease." In fact many books use the word "dis-ease," which shows the changed view on health. They are seeing the human body holistically.

However, in the West Eastern Medicine is accepted as only one of the categories of alternative Medicine even to the people who are more aware these days of the importance of health Although herbal and acupuncture clinics are sprouting all over American and European nations, their peoples' interests can't equal up to Eastern Asian's. Not in quantity, but in how they conceive of Eastern Medicine. Western scientists are so consumed with their own definition of science, and are only concerned about microscopic proofs to satisfy their "scientific point of view." Koreans have been taking traditional Medicine for tens of centuries until Western Medicine came into our lives along with the culture. (It does not mean traditional practice all but stopped)

Now finally we are once again going to our doctors for our treatments. These days, new forms of Korean clinic are often seen. There are clinics for only children, with acupuncture needles that don't hurt, and clinics meant for only the elderly. Some clinics specialize in female disorders. Clinics specializing in the treatment of obesity and skin trouble are becoming very popular. Korean Medical clinics have become so big that there are exclusive companies doing chic interior designs for Korean clinics, and many clinics have vice directors and hospital coordinators.

Some time ago the majority of the patients in Korean clinics were old people in need of acupuncture treatment or children with colds. But now all kinds of people with various illnesses go to Korean clinics. Young and educated people are finding Korean Medicine "cool" as well as very effective and scientific. Korean Medicine is so greatly appreciated these days, that doctor of Korean Medicine as a job is one of the most popular careers high school students seek. It can be proved in the increase of woman doctors. More people competing for the job, more variety. And all those mothers wanting their precious daughters to take up the acupuncture needles!

Like Western practitioners including acupuncture in their health care regimen Korean Medicine is adopting Western technology also. We use imported machines, and researchers are combining Eastern and Western Medicine. The modernization of Korean Medicine contribute to the "cool" effect.

On two sturdy legs, a man can run fast. By the cooperation of Eastern and Western Medicine, tomorrow's Medicine will prosper further and further.