Developed in the 1970's, Korean Hand Therapy incorporates Hand Reflexology principles and the Acupuncture Meridian Energy System in one modality.
There are several forms of Hand therapies originating from Korea including but not limited to: Korean Hand Therapy (KHT), Koryo Hand Therapy, and Su Jok Therapy. They all work through the similar theory that the hands contain a microcosm map with points corresponding to the rest of the body. In traditional Hand Reflexology a Reflexologist will stimulate the entire hand reflexes for total body wellness. Korean Hand Therapy may be applied only to specific areas that the client is experiencing pain or discomfort. To the lower back points for example or the left knee points.
Comparing KHT and Hand Reflexology
The map of the Korean Hand Therapy has points for many of the body’s organs, glands and parts. They are aligned from the middle finger down to the wrist on the palm and back of the hand. At the tip of the middle finger are points for the head with the spine following down the length of this finger on the back of the hand. The coccyx, or tailbone, is located just above the wrist joint on the back of the hand. On the palm side of the hand this same line runs but here the internal organs are found in points for the uterus, liver, stomach, heart and so forth.
Hand Reflexology uses a mirroring method to determine the reflex point locations: the body is mirrored on the hand just as it is seen. The tips of all fingers correspond to the top of the head (common point for sinus relief), while the “ball” of the hand represents chest and lungs and the heel of the hand the pelvic area reflexes. So, the concepts are similar yet different.
In Su Jok Therapy the thumb represents the head and the points run in the opposite directions from traditional Hand Reflexology charts and the KHT chart. The chest and lung area is found on the heel of the hand while the “ball” of the hand contains the pelvic area points.
Stimulating the Points
Stimulation of the hand points is similar for Su Jok Therapy and Korean Hand Therapy: small acupressure seeds or gold and silver pellets may be applied to stimulate a point after a session. A small probe is commonly used to find painful spots then stimulated with the opposite end of the probe, a small metal rolling device, or the pressure seed is applied. The points can be very tender so communication with the practitioner is paramount.
Other techniques include light therapy, magnets and a licensed acupuncturist may incorporate small hand needles.
Practitioners ranging from chiropractors to acupuncturists, Reflexologists to nurses, and even laypersons use Korean Hand Therapy. The benefits of a small map located on the hands make it a very accessible modality for a wide range of body complaints. A 1998 Russian study [PubMed ID: 10067252] on Su Jok Therapy showed a positive response to the therapy by persons with bronchial asthma.
