Q. How does a Korean medicine clinic identify my constitution and develop a personalized weight-loss plan?

Yes, constitutional identification is performed simply yet meticulously. 1. **Consultation and Inquiry** – We begin by asking about your usual dietary habits, digestive condition, sweating, bowel movements, sleep patterns, and stress responses. A question such as “Does eating cold food upset your stomach?” serves as the first clue for constitutional differentiation. 2. **Pulse Diagnosis (脈診), Abdominal Diagnosis (腹診), and Tongue Diagnosis (舌診)** – We feel the pulse at your wrist, palpate your abdomen, and examine the color and coating (苔) of your tongue. Through this, we identify the actual state of your body, such as spleen deficiency (脾虛: weakened digestive function), phlegm-dampness (痰飮: accumulation of excess fluids and metabolic waste), and blood stasis (瘀血: impaired blood circulation). In Korean medicine, these internal states are intertwined with your constitution and are considered decisive factors for the success or failure of weight loss. 3. **Constitution Classification** – We determine which of the four Sasang constitutional types you most closely resemble—Taeumin, Soyangin, Soeumin, or Taeyangin—or we may subdivide you further based on individual zang-fu (visceral) status, for example, “spleen-stomach deficiency type” or “liver depression type (肝鬱型: qi circulation disturbance caused by stress).” For instance, Taeumin individuals generally possess relatively strong spleen and lung function, yet may have a weaker liver, making them susceptible to stress. 4. **Customized Herbal Prescription** – Herbal medicine is composed based on the combination of your constitution and current physical condition. There is a well-known principle: “Medicine should match the constitution.” For example, heat-clearing (淸熱) formulas are mainly used for Soyangin, while warming (保溫) formulas are typically chosen for Soeumin. The medicine itself does not “force” weight loss; rather, it supports your body’s metabolism and restores balance. 5. **Dietary and Lifestyle Guidance** – Recommended and avoided foods vary by constitution. For example, Taeumin types tend to benefit more from seaweed and vegetables than from greasy meats, whereas Soeumin types are better suited to foods with a warm thermal nature. We also provide advice on exercise intensity and sleep duration. 6. **Periodic Re-evaluation** – You usually visit every 2–4 weeks so we can check your pulse and any changes in symptoms. If necessary, we modify the herbal formula or fine-tune lifestyle habits. Ultimately, weight loss is about consistency, so we work alongside you to prevent you from struggling alone. By following this process and finding a routine suited to your constitution, you will feel your body changing naturally in a direction that reduces the risk of yo-yo dieting.