Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Is it possible to receive a non-face-to-face herbal medicine prescription for diet in Asan? I'm curious about how the process works without an in-person visit.
Yes, it is possible. Non-face-to-face consultations offer the advantage of counseling regardless of time and location. However, because direct diagnostic methods such as pulse diagnosis (脈診) and abdominal diagnosis (腹診) are omitted, accuracy may be reduced depending on your constitution and current condition. I initially thought in-person visits were essential, but now I flexibly choose based on the situation.
You are curious about non-face-to-face prescriptions. I also initially thought, 'Shouldn't I see the patient in person?' but nowadays technology has advanced enough that a meaningful approach is possible remotely.
Starting with the advantages: First, it significantly reduces time and travel burden. Especially for areas like Asan, traveling to and from the clinic can take 2–3 hours, and saving that time allows you to focus more on your daily routine. Second, during non-face-to-face consultations, patients often prepare more detailed records of their diet and lifestyle habits, which can actually deepen the conversation. Third, you can receive the herbal medicine by courier or pick it up at a nearby herbal pharmacy, which is very convenient.
However, there are clear disadvantages. The biggest issue is the inability to perform pulse diagnosis (脈診) and abdominal diagnosis (腹診). In Traditional Korean Medicine, pulse diagnosis is not merely about heart rate; it comprehensively assesses the flow of Qi (氣) and Blood (血) as well as the state of the Zang-Fu organs (臟腑). Cameras have limitations here. Therefore, when complex conditions such as Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), Blood Stasis (瘀血), or Phlegm-Fluid (痰飲) are suspected, an in-person examination is more accurate. Additionally, if the patient has difficulty describing symptoms or self-monitoring (e.g., abdominal bloating or stool condition), diagnosis may become less clear. Lastly, dieting is not just about taking herbs; it requires lifestyle modifications. In non-face-to-face settings, real-time feedback is challenging, so the patient's voluntary recording and cooperation are essential.
In conclusion, rather than saying 'non-face-to-face is always better' or 'it's absolutely not possible,' the choice should depend on your condition and goals. For example, if you have tried dieting several times before and have a good understanding of your constitution and responses, non-face-to-face care can yield excellent results. On the other hand, if you are new to herbal medicine or have prominent digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, I recommend visiting in person at least once for a thorough diagnosis. I will work with you after consultation to determine the most suitable approach, so feel free to ask without hesitation.