Transforming Global Wellness: The Role of Sujok Therapy in India’s Integrative Medicine Vision and WHO’s Initiatives

SJ T. Dhaval Pathak
Oct 30
4 min read

The world of healthcare is changing faster than ever before. People today are not just seeking cures — they’re seeking complete wellness, where physical, emotional, and mental health are in balance. This shift has led to a renewed interest in Integrative Medicine, a holistic approach that brings together modern science and traditional wisdom to create a more complete model of care.

Amid this evolution, Sujok Therapy is gaining recognition as a simple, scientific, and effective healing system that aligns perfectly with the global movement toward integrative healthcare. Supported by WHO’s recent initiatives and India’s leadership in traditional medicine, Sujok is emerging as a powerful bridge between ancient understanding and modern healthcare needs.

The Changing Face of Global and Indian Healthcare

Across the globe, healthcare systems are focusing on managing long-term conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and stress-related disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for nearly three-quarters of all global deaths — and India faces similar challenges.

At the same time, the pandemic experience has made people more conscious of their mental and emotional health. There’s growing realization that true wellness isn’t just the absence of disease — it’s the presence of harmony.

This has led many individuals and governments to explore holistic and preventive approaches that can complement conventional medicine. India, with its centuries-old traditions of healing, stands at the center of this transformation.

Integrative Medicine: A Holistic Vision for Health

Integrative Medicine is more than just a combination of methods — it’s a philosophy of balance and collaboration. It brings together the best of modern healthcare and traditional knowledge, creating a system that values evidence, empathy, and individualization.

This approach emphasizes prevention, self-awareness, and personalized care, encouraging patients to be active participants in their healing journey. It’s about creating harmony between body, mind, and environment — an idea deeply rooted in Sujok philosophy.

Around the world, health leaders are recognizing that integrative models are key to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable wellness — goals that resonate strongly with India’s healthcare vision.

WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine: A Landmark Initiative

WHO establishes the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India

A remarkable step toward this vision came in April 2022, when the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Government of India, established the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The GCTM serves as a global hub for evidence, innovation, and policy in traditional and complementary medicine. It aims to:

Strengthen scientific research and data on traditional medicine
Encourage global partnerships and knowledge sharing
Ensure quality, safety, and effectiveness in integrative practices
Support countries in developing inclusive health frameworks

This center reflects a shared belief — that traditional knowledge and modern science can work hand in hand to improve health for all. It also places India in a leadership role in shaping the future of integrative medicine worldwide.

Sujok Therapy: Science of Harmony and Self-Healing

Developed by Professor Park Jae Woo, Sujok Therapy is a systematic and scientific method of healing that uses the natural correspondence between the human body and the hands and feet. It helps activate the body’s own healing potential, restoring balance and harmony.

Sujok Therapy promotes wellness by addressing both physical and emotional aspects of health. It is safe, gentle, and empowering, making it suitable for all ages. Importantly, it teaches self-care — enabling individuals to take charge of their own well-being, one step at a time.

In today’s healthcare environment, where patients are seeking active roles in maintaining their health, Sujok’s focus on self-regulation and preventive care fits seamlessly into the global vision of integrative healthcare.

The Role of the International Sujok Association (ISA)

The International Sujok Association (ISA) has been at the forefront of promoting, educating, and standardizing Sujok Therapy across India and the world. Through structured training, practitioner certification, awareness campaigns, and academic collaboration, ISA continues to uphold the integrity and scientific spirit of Sujok Therapy.

The Association has also been in dialogue with India’s Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, working toward the recognition of Sujok Therapy as a distinct healthcare discipline. This is a significant step in ensuring that Sujok becomes an accessible and officially acknowledged part of India’s integrative healthcare framework.

How Practitioners and Teachers Can Contribute

Every Sujok practitioner and teacher is an ambassador of this healing system. Together, they form the foundation for Sujok’s growth, research, and global recognition.

Ways to contribute include:

Raising awareness through community sessions, schools, and wellness programs.
Documenting results and clinical experiences to build scientific evidence.
Collaborating with healthcare institutions and research bodies.
Teaching with integrity and maintaining high ethical standards in practice.

Each small contribution adds strength to the collective vision of “Health, Happiness, and Peace for All.”

A Vision for the Future

The future of healthcare lies in integration, inclusivity, and compassion. As the WHO and the Government of India champion this global movement, Sujok Therapy offers a bridge — connecting traditional wisdom with modern understanding, prevention with cure, and individual well-being with societal harmony.

By aligning with WHO’s initiatives and India’s leadership in integrative medicine, and through the united efforts of ISA and its practitioners, Sujok Therapy can make a lasting contribution to global wellness.