Reviewed by최연승대표원장
What is the full process of receiving a non-face-to-face (telemedicine) herbal diet prescription from a Korean Medicine clinic in Songdo?
The non-face-to-face process is divided into three main steps. First, an online initial consultation assesses your constitution and condition in detail. Based on that, herbal medicine is prepared and shipped to you. Then, every 2–4 weeks, follow-ups via video or phone adjust the prescription. I also wondered if a non-face-to-face diet could work, but it turns out consistent management is quite feasible.
For a non-face-to-face consultation, the process typically unfolds as follows:
**Week 1 – Initial Consultation (30–40 minutes)**
We meet by phone or video. Although pulse diagnosis is difficult remotely, you can send a photo of your tongue for tongue diagnosis (舌診), and I focus on your digestion, sleep, bowel movements, and appetite patterns. From a Korean Medicine perspective, this stage assesses whether there is spleen deficiency (脾虛), phlegm-fluid (痰飮), or blood stasis (瘀血). You might wonder, 'Can it be accurate without face-to-face?' I felt the same at first, but a thorough interview can guide treatment almost as reliably as an in-person visit.
**Weeks 2–3 – Receiving Herbal Medicine + First Changes**
Once the prescription is finalized, the pharmacy prepares your herbal medicine (typically decoctions or pills) and ships it. The first 1–2 weeks are an adjustment period. Many people report feeling easier digestion or reduced appetite. Some may experience gas or loose stools, but these usually stabilize within a few days. At this stage, I recommend keeping a food diary without strict dietary restrictions.
**Week 4 – First Progress Check**
We have a 15–20 minute video or phone follow-up. Changes are often reported as 'my waist feels looser' or 'I wake up less at night' rather than just weight loss. In Korean Medicine, this is seen as the point when qi and blood (氣血) circulation improves, boosting overall metabolism. The prescription may be fine-tuned based on symptoms.
**After 2 Months – Maintenance and Re-evaluation**
Typically, 8–12 weeks form one cycle of herbal diet therapy. Since the goal is constitutional improvement, the emphasis is on 'the body changing' rather than just 'losing weight.' Afterward, the dose is reduced or taken intermittently for maintenance, and a re-consultation may occur after 3–6 months if needed.
Non-face-to-face treatment is not a 'quick fix' approach. On the contrary, it often receives praise for being practical, as advice can be immediately applied to daily life. However, not all non-face-to-face prescriptions are permitted; some clinics require an initial in-person visit, so it's best to check with the specific institution in advance.