Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Acupuncture reduces wrinkles

By Yoon Ja-youngWill acupuncture be able to substitute Botox someday? A study found that acupuncture can reduce wrinkles and blushing on the face.The research team led by Cho Jin-hyong, a Korean traditional medicine doctor at Kwangdong Oriental Hospital in Seoul, said that plastic acupuncture, or acupuncture used for skin therapy, is effective for reducing such symptoms. The thesis was presented in the “International Congress of Oriental Medicine.”Some traditional medical clinics in the country have been using the automated micro-needle therapy system (AMTS), where a very thin needle makes multiple holes on the skin. “In these holes, skin cells are replaced by new ones during the recovery period. It is reported that skin condition such as flush and melanin becomes better by this procedure,” the thesis explains. Plastic acupuncture helps the circulation of blood and vitalizes collagen and elastin.The research team applied plastic acupuncture to 18 patients who had deep wrinkles from the nose to the tip of lips, or flush. After a month, they found that the pigme

Dec 14, 2012By Yoon Ja-young

Suitable spouse

Dear Dr. P,I was born in the Netherlands of Korean parents. I lived all my life in the Netherlands. I have a few Korean friends but most of my friends are British or other second generation immigrants. I have dated a number of girls; Dutch, other second generation immigrants and when I visited Korea I had a few dates with Korean girls. I like them all! But no one 100 percent yet.What do you think about “bringing” a wife over here from Korea? The older I get the more I come to appreciate my Korean identity. My experience is both good and bad. I have seen Korean women marrying a Korean or a European man here just to come abroad then after a few years, they divorce. And in my view these women’s first criteria in choosing a man is the one who earns the most money. I think it is important where and how you meet the women; I think these men met their women in, for example, bars, nightclubs and they too took advantage of the fact that they come from a rich country.Even if our governments say they embrace “multiculturalism,” in reality we’ll never be Dutch

Dec 14, 2012

Turtle marathon to take place Sunday

Come and share in the winter weather by walking on Mt. Nam in downtown Seoul Sunday. The Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times, is hosting the 425th Turtle Marathon in conjunction with Nonghyup Moguchon and the Salvation Army’s Korea Territory. Nonghyup Moguchon CEO Kim Yong-chul and Park Mah-hee, commissioner of the Salvation Army’s Korea Territory will lead the walkathon. Classical crossover singer Yisabel Jo will perform and Santa Claus hats will be presented to people who donate to the Salvation Army charity pot. Chicken soup provided by the Korea Poultry Board, pizza from Domino’s Pizza, and juice by Welch’s will be offered to participants. Upon finishing the walk, there will be a prize draw with the chance to win Moguchon gift sets and Moguchon chickens. Middle and high school students who participate in the cleanup afterwards will receive certification for two hours of volunteer work. Admission is free. For more information, visit turtle.hankooki.com.When: Sunday, Dec. 16. Meet at 7:40 a.m. and the walk begins at 8 a.m.Where: Outdoor plaza of

Dec 14, 2012

(216) Face readings of presidential candidates

Park Geun-hye                            Lee Jung-hee                      Moon Jae-inBy Janet ShinWith less than a week left before the 18th presidential election, almost 40 percent of Korean people watched the first and second televised debates. There must have been intensive preparations for the policy agenda and election pledges but also seemingly hidden side arrangements. In the second debate, the ruling Saenuri Party candidate, Park Geun-hye, showed up in a red suit, the party’s symbolic color. Lee Jung-hee of the leftist, Unified Progressive Party (UPP) stood in the middle, in a pale cream-colored suit. Democratic United Party (DUP) candidate Moon Jae-in was wearing a green tie with a classic black suit.It was noticeably different from the previous debate when they all wore dark colored suits. It was an apparent signal that the two major candidates, Park and Moon to express their parties’ identity and strong will to fight against their o

Dec 13, 2012

(216) Face readings of presidential candidates

How to 'die well' matters for living well

By Jung Min-ho, Kim Bo-eun, Bahk Eun-jiFor every living creature, death is inevitable. While the simple fact leaves people the important question of how to live before they face the end, many people have recently started pondering “how to die well.”Most people want their death to be peaceful and painless as much as they want their life to be prosperous and happy. But only few have their wish granted because most of them do not make any effort to fulfill it, not knowing that they also need to prepare to die well.The concept of “well-dying” has to do with a broad range of death-related matters from a choice between burial and cremation to organ donation and the right to end the life of terminally-ill patients.Although “well-dying” may seem unfamiliar to some people, a growing number are paying keen attention to preparing for the inevitable.Planning ahead Twenty-seven-year-old university student Park Jin-won was at his friend’s father’s funeral a few months ago. He, together with his friend, helped carry the coffin from the funeral ha

Dec 11, 2012

How to 'die well' matters for living well

First hour of life determines health

A baby is seen crying after birth in this file photo. The first hour after birth determines many aspects of a baby’s personality, according to Professor Lee Kyo-won at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.                                    / Korea Times file Lee Kyo-won, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital professorBy Yoon Ja-youngWhat is the first thing a baby does when he or she is born? Most readers would say cry. Birth scenes in TV dramas or movies often culminate in the sound of a newborn child crying. This moment after birth is widely regarded as a sign that a baby is healthy.However, the reason babies cry when they are born is because of the physical trauma of birth, according to professor Lee Kyo-won of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul. He says that they cry because they are in pain and are experiencing discomfort.“The pain of going through the birth canal is like wearing a pressure bandage from head to toe. It is life-endangering journey for the baby,” the doctor said. Each baby

Dec 7, 2012By Yoon Ja-young

Correct posture critical to prevent sciatica

By Lee Sung-hunThe sciatic nerve is the thickest and the longest nerve in the human body. It is roughly as thick as one’s finger and starts from the hip bone down to the back of the lower leg. Sciatica is a type of neuralgia where the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated.Sciatica is possibly the most common type of neuralgia. The sciatic nerve controls and responds to sensory inputs from the outer thighs, outer and the back of the calves and almost all of the feet. When sciatica occurs, the pain can be in any of such areas. Commonly the pain radiates from the hip or thighs down to the outside and back of the calves in a band-like manner, and common symptoms include;— Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting— Burning or tingling down the leg— Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot— A constant pain on one side of the rear— A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand upAlthough sciatica is known to be more common with old age, it is observed that people in their 40s are most prone to it, contrary to the commonly bel

Dec 7, 2012

Correct posture critical to prevent sciatica

Tips to shine safe on slopes

By Song Sang-hoFinally, the ski season has arrived. As skiing is one of the most popular winter sports here, on weekends resorts around the country are crowded with skiers who have been eagerly waiting for this moment. Those who headed to water parks for dates during the summer are now going to ski resorts.Beginners often ask how they can learn to ski, and the answer they usually get is, “Just go all the way up the trail and don’t think of anything. When you get there and get started you will know what to do.”Of course, gravity will help you slide to the bottom of the trail and you can do nothing about it. As soon as you get to the top of the trail, the height and an overly steep slope will scare you to death and you will soon realize that the advice gets you nowhere. People tend to force others to just go for something without even telling them the possible risks or providing helpful information as long as it’s not themselves who are in the situation.According to reports by National Emergency Management, there were on average 12,662 people injured while skiin

Dec 7, 2012

Being adopted

Dear Dr. P,How can we help our adopted children cope with being brought over to this country without them having any real control over the situation? Also, do you think it’s a good idea to let them decide to search for their birth parents or should we initiate the search? My personal opinion is that they deserve to know their biological parents...what do you think? I know this is a hard question. Thank you so much.Dear parents,I would like to extend my appreciation to you for adopting and nurturing Korean children. I was touched by the fact that you would go as far as finding the birth parents of your adopted children.However, it is ultimately the children’s decision to find or not to find their biological parents. On that note, you need to ask your children about their intentions. But since I do not know the age of your children, I can’t give you a direct answer.If your children are young, rather than looking for their parents, it might be more important for you to just care for and nurture them. If your children are doing just fine in your care, at such a young ag

Dec 7, 2012

Kwang Dong steps up research on fermented deer antlers

Choi Sung-won, left, president of Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, poses with Chae Soo-wan, director of the Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods affiliated with Chonbuk National University Hospital at the firm’s building in southern Seoul, Wednesday, after signing a memorandum of understanding for joint research on fermented deer antlers.                                                                   / Courtesy of Kwang Dong PharmaceuticalBy Park Yoon-baeKwang Dong Pharmaceutical has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a clinical trial center affiliated with Chonbuk National University Hospital to conduct joint research on fermented deer antlers.The MOU was signed between Kwang Dong President Choi Sung-won and Chae Soo-wan, director of the hospital’s Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods at the firm’s building in southern Seoul, Wednesday.The two have agreed to work together

Dec 7, 2012By Park Yoon-bae

Others

Others

Acupuncture reduces wrinkles

Suitable spouse

Turtle marathon to take place Sunday

(216) Face readings of presidential candidates

How to 'die well' matters for living well

First hour of life determines health

Correct posture critical to prevent sciatica

Tips to shine safe on slopes

Being adopted

Kwang Dong steps up research on fermented deer antlers

Most Read in Lifestyle