I'm worried about my child's obesity. What is the process for weight loss at a TKM clinic?
For children, growth must always take priority over weight loss, so strict fasting is strictly avoided. We first analyze the child's constitution and organ function, then clear accumulated metabolic waste, and finally correct eating habits. Our goal is not merely reducing a number on the scale, but restoring bodily balance so the child develops the innate ability to regulate their own weight.
Childhood obesity requires a fundamentally different approach than adult weight loss because children are in a critical phase of growth with active growth plates and fluctuating hormones. Excessive calorie restriction can hinder height growth. Our step-by-step process is as follows:
1. Constitutional Diagnosis: We identify the root cause of the weight gain. Through pulse diagnosis, we determine if it is due to Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, Bi-heo), where a weak digestive system fails to convert food into energy, or if it is caused by Qi stagnation.
2. Removal of Metabolic Waste: We focus on clearing Dam-eum (痰飮, abnormal fluid accumulation) and Eo-hyeol (瘀血, blood stasis). These wastes hinder metabolism and create a physiological environment prone to weight gain.
3. Activation of Metabolic Function: Using herbal medicine and acupuncture, we increase the basal metabolic rate. Rather than forcing weight loss, we optimize the body's efficiency in burning energy to create a 'metabolically healthy' body.
4. Lifestyle Correction: We address diet and sleep. The key here is 'substitution' rather than 'prohibition.' We gradually adjust habits to ensure the child does not feel stressed or deprived.
Ultimately, the priority is finding a healthy body composition without compromising the child's growth potential, ensuring a balanced approach to long-term wellness.
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