Sujok Therapy: Credentials, Regulation & Consumer Awareness

What Is Sujok Therapy?

Sujok (Korean “hand‑foot”) is a microsystem acupuncture/acupressure system developed by Prof. Park Jae Woo. It maps body organs to corresponding zones on hands and feet.

Regulatory Status

• Not recognized as a licensed medical profession in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU.
• Practitioners may be licensed acupuncturists, massage therapists, or unregulated “holistic practitioners.”
• No standardized national certification; various private organizations issue certificates.

Title Protection

• “Doctor” – reserved for MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPM, DC (state‑dependent), PhD (academic).
• “Acupuncturist” – requires state licensure (NCCAOM exam + state board) in most US states.
• Sujok-only practitioners cannot legally use these protected titles unless separately licensed.

Evidence Base

• Limited peer‑reviewed RCTs; mostly case reports, small pilot studies.
• Proposed mechanisms: somatic‑visceral reflexes, neural gate control, placebo.
• Not included in major clinical guidelines (NIH, WHO, NICE) for any condition.

Consumer Guidance

1. Verify practitioner’s primary license (acupuncture, nursing, PT, etc.).
2. Ask about training hours, certifying body, insurance.
3. Use as complementary, not alternative, to evidence‑based care.
4. Report adverse events to state regulatory board.

Bottom line: Sujok may offer subjective relief for some; it is not a substitute for licensed medical diagnosis/treatment.