Dr. Sohn’s Story: How Korean Acupuncture Changed His Life
Dr. Kihyon Sohn is an LAc, an acupuncturist in Beaverton, Oregon, licensed by Oregon Medical Board. He has been certified as Dipl. O.M.(Diplomate of Oriental Medicine) by NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). He achieved a Master’s degree(MAcOM) and a Doctoral degree(DAOM) at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Dr. Sohn’s comprehensive education in Traditional Asian medicine and his Capstone project, “Journey into Korean Moxibustion,” testify to his dedication to providing the best possible care to his patients.
Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM, Dipl.O.M.) Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
From Personal Love to Medical Calling: Dr. Sohn’s Journey with Korean Acupuncture
Dr. Sohn studied Traditional Asian Medicine in Korea before immigrating to the United States. Driven by a personal desire to help his late mother who suffered from strokes, he sought alternative solutions to improve her condition. His independent exploration led him to discover the potential of acupuncture in her treatment.
Fortunately, he encountered a unique therapeutic method: Korean acupuncture combined with moxibustion. Developed by the late Dr. Namsoo Kim (Gudang) through extensive clinical experience, this method emphasizes holistic treatment to enhance energy flow and restore the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Effective for a variety of ailments, this discovery marked Dr. Sohn’s initial foray into the field of medicine.
From Mountain Explorer to Healer: Dr. Sohn’s Journey with Traditional Medicine
Dr. Sohn was born in Boseong, a region in southern Korea renowned for its green tea. In his youth, he possessed a keen interest in exploring nature and studying plants found in the mountains. However, due to strenuous hiking, he developed knee pain. This experience led him to discover self-treatment through bee stings.
Years later, when his late mother suffered from strokes, he learned to use acupuncture and moxibustion. Later, Dr. Sohn generously offered free acupuncture and moxibustion treatments to the general public in Korea and the Philippines who were suffering from various ailments. During his nearly two-year volunteer experience in the Philippines, he encountered challenges related to licensure. Driven by a desire to help more people within a legal framework, and determined to pursue this path later in life, Dr. Sohn made a difficult decision. He embarked on a journey to study abroad and obtain the necessary credentials. Finally, on September 9, 2012, he landed at PDX airport, soon to be reunited with his family. Little did he know in his youth that this path would lead him to become a healer.
Journal Articles
He had the following two publications published in journals:
2. Case Report: Treatment of Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder with Direction Moxibustion
Community Outreach
Dr. Sohn provided charity acupuncture and moxibustion treatments in Asia for those who could not afford medical care. He volunteered to treat veterans in Portland and migrants in another city a few years ago. He has volunteered in helping out in a few communities.
Blog Posts
Dr. Sohn translated parts of Korean acupuncture and moxibustion literature into English. He hopes they become helpful to those interested in learning Korean acupuncture and moxibustion. Please see the blog entries for further information. You can find more articles by using the search function on the website.
