Hainhyuk, Director of Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Receives Gold Award at the Korean Oriental Medicine Association Academic Awards

Director Ha In-hyeok of Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine is giving an acceptance speech for the Gold Award at the Korean Medicine Academic Society Conference.
[Photo by Jaseng Medical Foundation]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] Jaseng Medical Foundation announced on the 16th that Ha Inhyuk, Director of the Spine and Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, won the Gold Prize at the 21st Korean Medicine Academic Awards.

The Korean Medicine Academic Awards were established to promote academic research and activities in Korean medicine domestically. Every year, four recipients are selected for their significant contributions to the advancement of Korean medicine: one Gold Prize, one Silver Prize, and two Bronze Prizes.

Director Ha received the highest Gold Prize for his paper titled "Comparison of Chuna Therapy and Conventional Treatment in Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial."

The study, published in 'JAMA Network Open,' one of the international journals of the American Medical Association, objectively measured the clinical efficacy of Chuna therapy by dividing patients with neck pain into a Chuna therapy treatment group and a conventional treatment group receiving analgesics and physical therapy, then analyzing the treatment effects. The results confirmed that the Chuna therapy group showed greater improvement in indicators such as neck pain, function, and quality of life compared to the conventional treatment group.

Chuna therapy, discovered and redefined by Dr. Shin Junsik, founder of Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, is a Korean manual therapy where Korean medicine doctors push and pull bones, muscles, and ligaments to correct body balance. Recognized for its safety, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, it has been covered by health insurance since 2019.

Director Ha stated, "Active research and practical support are urgently needed to enhance trust in Korean medicine treatments and expand insurance coverage. Going forward, Jaseng Medical Foundation and Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital will do their utmost to ensure that Korean medicine is recognized as evidence-based medicine on the global stage."

Meanwhile, the Korean Medicine Association also awarded a letter of appreciation to Dr. Shin, who donated 20 million KRW of personal funds to support the development of evidence-based Korean medicine and the training of future scholars.