Q. How does the diet program at a Traditional Korean Medicine clinic work step by step? This is my first visit and I'm curious.

At your first visit, the priority is pattern identification (辨證, byeonjeung). Through pulse, tongue, and abdominal diagnosis, we assess the flow of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids and the function of the Zangfu organs. Cases generally fall into two main categories: **A. Stomach-Heat/Food Stagnation (胃熱·食滯)** – excessive appetite, overeating, sensation of fullness, constipation. Treatment focuses on clearing Stomach-Heat and resolving Phlegm-Dampness. Herbal formulas are heat-clearing, and acupuncture or moxibustion helps regulate appetite. This phase lasts 1–2 weeks, then transitions to dietary management. **B. Spleen Deficiency with Qi Deficiency (脾虛·氣虛)** – poor appetite yet difficulty losing weight, heaviness, slow digestion, cold limbs. The core is Spleen Deficiency. Rather than direct diet herbs, the first step is to tonify Qi and Blood and strengthen the Spleen and Stomach. Spleen-tonifying and Qi-supplementing herbs are used along with warm acupuncture or herbal acupuncture. This base-building phase lasts 2–4 weeks, after which we may switch to fat-metabolizing herbs or focus on lifestyle adjustments. Mid-phase reassessments adjust the intensity of herbs and acupuncture. From my own experience, overly aggressive calorie restriction often leads to stress and yo-yo effects, so a relaxed, balanced approach is key. The program is not just about losing weight, but restoring the body’s internal balance. In short, it follows: diagnosis → customized treatment → maintenance, with time allocation varying by constitution. Feel free to ask any questions during your consultation.