Acupuncture and Korean Medicine on the Rise in Germany: Why Interest in Pain Relief and Rehab Is Growing

Neck and back pain affect almost everyone in modern life, and interest in Korean medicine is rising sharply in Germany too. Unlike Western medicine, which centers on physical therapy, Korean medicine acupuncture, which activates the body's natural healing power, is attracting attention for its strong effects on chronic pain relief and rehabilitation.

Why Do Eastern and Western Medicine Take Different Approaches?

The differences between Eastern and Western medicine and the mechanisms behind acupuncture are also being examined scientifically. While Western medicine seeks active outside intervention, Eastern medicine focuses on stimulating the body's own ability to heal. In particular, acupuncture uses fine needles with thin, rounded tips to stimulate nerves around the painful area, providing strong pain relief with less pain than an injection. A range of academic studies, including joint research involving Harvard University and the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, have shown integrative treatment effects such as pain relief through the adenosine A1 receptor and stroke rehabilitation.

IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation), which developed in modern pain medicine, is also a leading example of applying the principles of Eastern acupuncture in a modern way. In European medical circles, including a research team at Heidelberg University in Germany, the effects of Korean medicine are evaluated on objective indicators rather than subjective ones. In Germany alone, more than 1,500,000 patients receive acupuncture every year, and Korean medicine has become an everyday treatment for Europeans.

Why Are More People in Germany Turning to Korean Medicine?

Compared with complicated Western healthcare systems with long waiting times, easy access and quick results are another reason Germans prefer Korean medicine treatment. The philosophy and values of Eastern medicine, which sees people as part of nature and makes up for the limits of modern medicine's materialistic view, are expected to gain even more recognition on the world stage. For a more detailed look at the treatment process, see our acupuncture treatment guide for more information.