Posture therapy in Songpa, Seoul: a gentle reset at Sumswimjeni

Sumswimjeni in Seokchon: location and atmosphere

I took the bus, and it was right in front of the stop, which was so convenient. If you are driving, there is dedicated parking too, so it seems easy to visit without any hassle 😌

The shoe cabinet greeted me as soon as I got off the elevator. It is such a small thing, but so cute, right? I was absentmindedly looking at my phone as I stepped forward, and my feet slipped right into these adorable shoes! I rang the bell, and the director welcomed me in.

I went straight to the changing room to change, and interestingly, there was a place to wash your feet like this. It is optional, but I wanted to feel fresh for the treatment, so I gave them a quick wash before heading out :)

Now, let me properly show you around inside.

Woooow... it looks like something that would be featured on Today's House, right? 😳 I was so surprised by the interior, honestly.

Even the beds were so stylish haha.

The natural light alone immediately lifted my mood. Usually, massage shops bring to mind dim lighting and small, quiet rooms with hardly any conversation, but this had a bit of a yoga studio feel while still being calm—sooo I was even more excited.

A detailed consultation on pain and everyday habits

The consultation, which lasted about 15 minutes, was very detailed. They asked about everything from when my pain began and whether I had seen a doctor to my usual lifestyle habits, and carefully recorded every answer I gave, which really made them feel trustworthy as professionals 👍🏻 (I could not photograph it, but it was seriously at the level of a notebook full of notesㅠㅠ)

I normally had a sharp, stabbing pain at the back of my neck, and during the consultation I learned for the first time how important neck care is. They said that when circulation in the neck is blocked, circulation throughout the body is affected. I also have marks on the back of my neck from touching it whenever it hurt, and I newly learned that these were not simply massage-related marks, but skin trouble caused when waste products could not drain away.

Intensive rehabilitation that encourages muscle use instead of heavy pressure

These are the types of massage offered at Sumswimjeni. I received intensive rehabilitation, and they also have care for IVF preparation. Since it is “custom care” tailored to each person’s pain, it is not a one-size-fits-all massage, right??

The treatment goes in this order: consultation > posture correction > front-body massage > back-body massage.

• W-shaped posture
• Engaging the tops of the feet
• Relaxing the neckline

During the posture-correction stage, I learned ways to correct my posture in everyday life. They are so different from how I normally sit and stand that it will take some time to get used to them, but they also explained how the actual muscles work(?), so I think it will be easy to keep remembering and correcting myself!

The front and back therapy was not based on pushing with heavy pressure like massages I had received before. What impressed me most was how it relaxed my whole body to release tension, then guided my body to use the right muscles.

Most of all, the warm lymphatic circulation treatment in such a comfortable atmosphere had me getting sleepy..😴

Changes in my neckline and inner glow right after treatment

Look at my back, neck, and shoulder muscles after the treatment! Can you see how the parts that had been stiff and hardened became softer?? Especially around my neck!

Looking again like this, I could see that the rigid back of my neck in the before photo had formed a cuff-like fold, while the tension at the front of my neck had eased and the line looked much more relaxed.

The mosaic may make it hard to relate, but I could feel my own clear, inner skin glow..! coming through 🫢

At the end, I had a glass of salt water the director prepared for me and headed home feeling all languid~ 🫢

Who Sumswimjeni will suit

It was a special experience—not simply removing pain for the moment, but learning to use my body correctly and restore proper circulation :)

• People who want to find what is damaged in their body and recover naturally and fundamentally, rather than forcing it with intense stimulation
• People who want to prepare more steadily for pregnancy or IVF through lymphatic circulation

If you prefer acupressure or massage styles that press firmly and intensely, it may not be quite your thing.

This was posted in the changing room, and I took a photo because it resonated with me so much. I think the most important thing is not getting rid of today’s pain, but knowing what our body’s baseline is and making an effort to protect it. But it is so difficult to notice a baseline that our bodies have been fixed into for too long, which is why we need a professional’s help.

Sumswimjeni is actually a very famous place among those in the know. They get lots of bookings from athletes based overseas too, and new clients have to wait for an appointment! Even so, the director is so genuinely devoted to treating pain that I really hope you will visit.

If you are looking for private, professional restorative therapy, I highly recommend Sumswimjeni! Reset your everyday posture with a lymphatic circulation specialist.