K-ClinicKorea Pain Clinic First Visit: Yonsei An Pain Medicine Exam
A first visit to Yonsei An Pain Medicine in Bucheon, Korea takes about 2–3 hours. It includes a detailed consultation, a musculoskeletal and nerve exam, and basic tests such as X-ray and brainwave/pulse assessment, with ultrasound or 3D posture analysis added if needed. A team of 8 medical staff then discusses your treatment plan.
Why Does the First Pain Clinic Visit in Korea Take So Long?
At many clinics, a pain appointment means registering, a short consultation and a prescription, over in about ten minutes. At Yonsei An Pain Medicine (연세안마취통증의학과), plan for a longer visit: the first appointment takes about 2–3 hours.
The time goes into a thorough evaluation before any treatment is chosen. The aim is to find the source of your pain and work out whether it relates to a disc, joint, muscle, fascia or nerve, or to several factors together.
This article explains what happens on the day, who sees you, and what to prepare.
What Happens at the First Visit?
The hospital describes the first visit as follows:
- Detailed consultation: the doctor reviews your main symptoms, how long you have had them and your medical history.
- Musculoskeletal and nerve assessment: a physical examination by the doctor.
- X-ray, brainwave and pulse tests: the basic examination items.
- Added if needed: ultrasound or 3D posture analysis.
After the evaluation, the doctor explains the treatment direction based on the results: non-injection treatment, injection treatment, or a combination. The number of sessions is decided by the doctor.
Which Extra Tests May Be Added to the Basic Exam?
Not everyone needs the same number of tests. The hospital states that the following items are done only when the doctor judges they are necessary, with costs explained separately: allergy, vitamin, iron, blood, bone density and rheumatoid-related tests, plus ultrasound and 3D posture analysis.
If you have already had related tests at home (for example an MRI or blood tests), bring the reports so the doctor can refer to them. Whether anything needs to be repeated is the doctor's decision.
The basic exam costs ₩385,000, and it is already included if you choose a treatment package. Costs of additional tests are explained separately.
Who Will See You? The 8-Person Medical Team
Yonsei An Pain Medicine is staffed by 8 medical professionals from pain medicine, neurosurgery, orthopedics and the treatment department, who confirm the treatment direction together based on the nature of your pain and your test results.
The head director is Cho Nam-ryong (조남룡), a specialist in anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Treatment is mainly non-surgical: spinal decompression, shockwave, radiofrequency and manual therapy, combined when needed with injections such as ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Recovery care options include a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a PBM light therapy pod and IV drips, as well as custom insoles and knee supports.
Do I Have to Get an Injection?
Many people worry that visiting means getting a needle. The hospital's position is that the doctor decides whether injections are suitable based on your assessment, and non-injection treatment packages are also available.
When an injection is needed, the doctor decides the site, method, medication and whether to combine it with other treatment, and explains the options and precautions beforehand.
If you are afraid of needles, the hospital recommends telling them when you book.
What Should I Prepare Before Booking?
The hospital asks for the information below. Sending it in advance through this website's booking request or live chat helps the first visit run more smoothly:
- Name, age, sex, nationality, dates you are in Korea, email and contact phone number
- Main symptoms and how long you have had them, current medications, drug allergies
- Whether you may be pregnant, and whether you are afraid of injections
Your email address matters: the hospital states that about 1 week after your visit, it sends your test results, a consultation summary, treatment recommendations and X-ray files by email.
What Day and Time Should I Book the First Visit?
The hospital recommends scheduling the first visit early in your Korea trip and arriving 3–4 hours before closing time. Based on opening hours:
| Day | Hours | Latest recommended arrival for first visit |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Wed, Fri | 09:00–20:00 | By about 16:00–17:00 |
| Tue, Thu | 09:00–18:00 | By about 14:00–15:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–14:00 | By about 10:00–11:00 |
| Sun | Closed | － |
On Saturdays the clinic closes at 2 p.m., so time for a first visit is tight; weekdays are the better choice. The clinic is closed on Sundays, so keep that in mind when booking flights.
The hospital is at 511 Gyeongin-ro, Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 3rd floor of the Yurim Building (registration and consultation). The nearest subway station is Yeokgok Station (Line 1), Exit 1, and parking is available in the building.
How Do I Book Yonsei An Pain Medicine Through K-Clinic?
The first visit takes half a day and needs quite a bit of advance information, so contacting the hospital on your own in Korean can easily lead to missed details. Through K-Clinic, you can ask for a free consultation using the "Request booking" button on this website or the live chat.
Send us the basic details above, your main symptoms and your dates in Korea. We will confirm the following with the hospital:
- Available dates and time slots for the first visit
- Interpreter arrangements (the hospital offers English medical interpreting; Chinese must be reserved in advance)
- How to bring your test reports from home
- Approximate costs of examinations and treatment packages
Once your booking is complete, we will tell you your arrival time and the address. The actual treatment depends on the doctor's evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the first visit to Yonsei An Pain Medicine in Korea take?
About 2–3 hours. It covers a consultation, a physical exam, X-ray and brainwave/pulse tests, plus ultrasound or 3D posture analysis if the doctor decides it is needed.
What tests are done at a first visit to a Korean pain clinic?
The basic tests are X-ray, a doctor consultation, and brainwave and pulse assessment. Allergy, vitamin, iron, blood, bone density and rheumatoid-related tests, as well as ultrasound and 3D posture analysis, are done only when the doctor judges they are needed. Their costs are explained separately.
Do I have to get an injection at Yonsei An Pain Medicine?
No. The doctor decides whether injections suit you based on the assessment, and non-injection treatment packages are available. Treatment options and precautions are explained before anything is done.
How do I book a pain clinic appointment in Korea?
Use the "Request booking" button on this website or the live chat. Send your basic details and symptoms, and we will confirm the first-visit date and interpreter arrangements with the hospital.
Clinics in this article
Near Yeokgok Station (Line 1) Exit 1
