Q. I've hit a weight loss plateau. What is the difference between general dieting and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) weight loss, and which one is right for me?

Many people experience a plateau where the scale stops moving despite strict dieting. At this point, further restricting calories often backfires because the body enters 'survival mode' to conserve energy. In Traditional Korean Medicine, a weight loss plateau is not viewed as a lack of willpower, but as a physiological imbalance. We look for the presence of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—phlegm-fluid retention or metabolic waste that obstructs circulation—and 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), a deficiency in the Spleen system that impairs the body's ability to convert nutrients into energy. When combined with 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, circulation is further hindered, prolonging the plateau and making the body feel heavy. Therefore, TKM weight loss is not about indiscriminate fasting. Instead, it focuses on 'flipping the metabolic switch' using customized herbal medicine. By replenishing deficient Qi and clearing obstructions, we create an internal environment where the body can efficiently burn energy again. Rather than choosing one method over the other, it is important to first assess your current metabolic capacity and listen to the signals your body is sending.