Core Principles
Dual-License Expertise
Representative Director Shin Jung-min holds both a pharmacist license (Seoul National University) and a Korean medical doctor license (Kyung Hee University), enabling an integrative approach.
Non-Surgical Specialization
Ulfit Clinic (얼핏한의원) specializes in non-surgical correction of facial asymmetry and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, focusing on structural realignment rather than invasive surgery.
Evidence-Based Practice
The clinic actively engages in academic research, publishing statistical studies and case reports on the efficacy of Korean medical treatments for facial asymmetry in recognized journals.
Holistic Treatment Philosophy
Treatment emphasizes the correlation between facial structure and whole-body health, integrating habit correction and lifestyle modification as core components.
Representative Director Shin Jung-min
Educational Background & Licensure
- **Pharmacy:** Graduated from College of Pharmacy at Seoul National University.
- **Korean Medicine:** Graduated from College of Korean Medicine at Kyung Hee University.
- **Advanced Studies:** Master's program in Integrative Medicine at CHA University's Graduate School.
Professional Career & Academic Appointments
- **Pharmacist Experience:** Prior to becoming a Korean medical doctor, she worked as a pharmacist for approximately two years.
- **Academic Roles:** Adjunct Professor at Kyung Hee University, Clinical Researcher at Gachon University.
- **Current Position:** Representative Director of Ulfit Clinic.
Motivation & Philosophy
Dr. Shin’s transition from pharmacy to Korean medicine was influenced by observing the limitations of symptomatic drug treatment for chronic conditions. Her specific focus on facial asymmetry and TMJ disorders was catalyzed by her daughter’s experience with jaw pain, leading her to research structural integration and manual therapies.
Media Presence & Authorship
- **YouTube:** Operates the channel "Ulfit Doctor" (얼핏닥터), explaining mechanisms and corrective exercises.
- **Publications:** Authored *"Straighten Your Face, Fix Your Habits"* (삐뚤어진 얼굴, 습관 바로잡기), published in 2019.
- **Columnist:** Contributes to platforms like Brunch and various health news outlets.
Clinic Overview & Operational System
Location & Facilities
Ulfit Clinic is situated in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Chamjin Building), placing it in the heart of Seoul's medical tourism and aesthetic district.
The clinic shares infrastructure with Chamjin Korean Medicine Clinic but operates as a specialized center for craniofacial correction.
Reservation & Consultation System
The clinic operates on a 100% reservation system to ensure quality of care and extensive consultation time.
- **Consultation Duration:** Initial consultations are notably extensive, typically lasting about one hour.
- **Diagnostic Protocol:** Involves 3D facial imaging, X-rays (skull and full spine), and ultrasound of the TMJ.
- **Operational Hours:** Generally operates on weekdays with late-night hours on specific days, and limited hours on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Major Clinical Procedures & Methodologies
Ulfit Clinic’s treatment philosophy is grounded in the concept that facial asymmetry is rarely an isolated issue of the face but a symptom of systemic structural imbalance.
Core Therapeutic Mechanisms
- **FCST (Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy):** A primary modality used to balance the TMJ and upper cervical spine (C1/C2).
- **TBT (TMJ Balancing Therapy):** A comprehensive approach that uses the jaw as a lever to balance the cranium and the spine.
- **Mewing & Tongue Posture:** Dr. Shin emphasizes the importance of tongue position in maintaining facial structure, integrating this into patient education.
Adjunct Therapies
- **Thread Lifting (Maeseon):** Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are inserted to relax tight muscles or strengthen weak ones, contributing to both aesthetic lifting and functional balance.
- **Habit Correction Coaching:** Patients are trained to correct posture, chewing habits, and swallowing patterns to prevent recurrence.
Key Treatment Programs
Ulfit Balance (Facial Asymmetry Correction)
Targets asymmetry of eyes, nose, lips, jawline; "peanut-shaped" face; long face syndrome.
- Cranial & Facial Manipulation
- Soft Tissue Therapy (Acupuncture and Thread Lifting)
- Body Alignment (Pelvic tilt and spinal curvature correction)
TMJ Balance (Jaw Joint Disorder Treatment)
Focused on functional restoration for patients suffering from pain, clicking sounds, or locking of the jaw.
- Ultrasound Diagnosis for inflammation and disk issues
- Intra-oral Balancing Appliances
- Cervical Spine Correction and Pharmacopuncture
Palsy Balance (Facial Paralysis Aftercare)
A specialized program for patients suffering from sequelae of Bell’s palsy or facial nerve paralysis.
- Treating synkinesis, facial contracture, and asymmetry
- Regenerative Pharmacopuncture
- Specific Rehabilitation Exercises
Reputation & Patient Feedback Analysis
Positive Feedback & Strengths
- **Holistic Symptom Relief:** Many reviews highlight that treatment for facial asymmetry often leads to the resolution of concurrent chronic issues such as headaches, neck pain, and tinnitus.
- **Detailed Diagnosis:** Patients appreciate the thoroughness of the initial consultation, often noting that they discovered spinal or pelvic issues they were previously unaware of.
- **Non-Invasive Nature:** The ability to improve facial aesthetics without the risks and recovery time associated with orthognathic surgery is a primary driver for patient visits.
Critical Feedback & Limitations
- **Cost and Fees:** Reviews indicate that the treatment is expensive. Some users mention consultation fees and high program costs (estimates around 2-3 million KRW for certain packages).
- **Subjective Satisfaction:** As with all aesthetic treatments, satisfaction varies. Some users expressed that while functional improvements were felt, aesthetic changes were subtle or required long-term commitment.
- **Communication Style:** Isolated reviews have mentioned that the director's communication style might not align with every patient's expectation, with some feeling the explanation of the diagnosis was complex or the cost presentation was aggressive.
Academic Research & Evidence-Based Practice
A distinguishing feature of Ulfit Clinic is Dr. Shin’s commitment to publishing clinical data, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to statistical validation.
Her significant study, *"A Statistical Study of 36 cases on the Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment including TBT on Facial Asymmetry Correction"* (2025), reported statistically significant improvements in facial angles without surgical intervention. These publications validate the clinic's claim that non-surgical correction is possible for "functional" or "positional" asymmetry.
Conclusion & Core Values
Ulfit Clinic and Representative Director Shin Jung-min occupy a specialized niche in the South Korean medical market, offering a scientifically grounded, non-surgical alternative for facial asymmetry and TMJ disorders. The clinic's strength lies in Dr. Shin’s dual-license expertise, her commitment to academic validation through published research, and a holistic treatment philosophy that integrates structural realignment with lifestyle correction.
While the high cost and time-intensive nature of the treatment may be barriers for some, the clinic appeals strongly to patients seeking fundamental health improvements alongside aesthetic correction, particularly those wishing to avoid the risks of invasive surgery. The active publication of statistical data regarding treatment outcomes sets a high standard for evidence-based practice within the field of Korean aesthetic medicine.