Q. How does your clinic approach the short-term diets or rapid weight loss methods that are popular these days?

Rapidly starting a diet often imposes significant stress on the body. Many patients complain of the 'yo-yo effect' or extreme lethargy, which in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) is often seen as a depletion of 'Qi' (vital energy). We address this through a systematic, multi-stage process. First, we focus on eliminating 'Dameum' (痰飮)—the accumulation of metabolic waste and stagnant fluids. Without resolving this, the body feels heavy and sluggish regardless of calorie intake. Next, we address 'Eohyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, to improve overall circulation; smooth circulation is essential for naturally increasing fat-burning efficiency. Furthermore, if a person is in a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—a deficiency in Spleen function—fasting will lead to muscle loss and a plummeting basal metabolic rate. Therefore, we first restore digestive function to ensure the body utilizes healthy energy. Finally, we prescribe personalized herbal medicine tailored to your constitution and condition to suppress appetite and boost metabolic speed. Through experience and study, I have learned that the core of sustainable weight loss is finding a pace that your body can actually handle. Instead of rushing, we recommend starting with an accurate diagnosis of your current physiological state.