Reviewed by최연승대표원장
How is a typical weight loss program at a Traditional Korean Medicine clinic structured step by step?
I was curious too at first. It is divided into three main steps. First, we diagnose your constitution and condition to identify the root cause. Second, we tailor treatment using herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary management. Third, we teach you how to maintain results without rebound. For example, if you have weak digestion, we address spleen deficiency (bi xu); if stress is the cause, we relieve liver qi stagnation (gan gi ul gyeol).
Yes, it typically operates in three stages.
**Stage 1: Diagnosis and Analysis**
Initially, we thoroughly examine your constitution, digestion, sleep, stress level, and past diet history. For instance, if you eat little but still struggle to lose weight, it may be due to spleen deficiency (bi xu)—weak spleen function leading to poor water metabolism. Conversely, if you binge eat under stress, it may be liver qi stagnation (gan gi ul gyeol)—blocked liver energy disrupting appetite control.
**Stage 2: Customized Regulation (Branching)**
Treatment direction diverges based on diagnosis.
- **A: Digestive weakness type (spleen deficiency / phlegm-fluid retention)** → We use herbal medicine (e.g., Bojungikgi-tang series) to tonify the spleen and eliminate phlegm-fluid (dam eum). Diet focuses on reducing cold foods and flour, increasing protein.
- **B: Stress-induced binge eating type (liver qi stagnation / blood stasis)** → Acupuncture relieves liver energy, and herbal medicine (e.g., Sihosogansan series) helps regulate emotions. Gentle relaxation exercises like meditation or yoga may be more effective than light cardio.
- **C: Hormonal imbalance type (kidney deficiency / blood deficiency)** → Herbal medicine (e.g., Yukmijihwang-tang series) improves kidney function and blood circulation, with consideration of menstrual cycle and thyroid test results. In this case, aggressive calorie restriction backfires, so we gradually increase meal portions.
**Stage 3: Maintenance and Relapse Prevention**
Reaching the target weight is not the end. We typically schedule a 4–8 week maintenance period, coaching lifestyle habits until they become ingrained. For example, if weight regain has been recurrent, we prioritize stabilizing meal timing and sleep schedule.
I personally refined this step-by-step system through trial and error when explaining the process to patients. The key is to collaboratively explore 'why this method suits you.' If you have further questions, please visit us and ask freely.