Q. There are so many trendy short-term diets these days; how is the weight loss process handled at a Korean medicine clinic?

I've been there myself—trying to lose weight quickly by starving, only to end up feeling dizzy and exhausted. Having experienced those frustrations, I truly understand the urgency. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we don't just focus on eating less; we investigate the fundamental reason why weight isn't dropping. First, we examine your constitution and the state of your Qi and Blood. Specifically, we check for Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), as a weakened spleen leads to poor digestion and absorption, which hinders weight loss. Next, we clear 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis)—the stagnant metabolic wastes in your body. Much like clearing a traffic jam on a highway, these pathways must be opened first for metabolism to flow smoothly. We then use herbal medicine to boost your basal metabolic rate, encouraging your body to utilize energy more efficiently. This is not about mindless endurance, but about managing hunger and helping your body adapt naturally. Finally, the maintenance and fortification phase is crucial. The 'yo-yo effect' occurs after rapid weight loss because the body's energy is depleted. We replenish this energy so your body can 'remember' and maintain its new state. The key is finding a pace your body can actually sustain. Rather than an overly aggressive plan, the wisest approach is to align the speed of weight loss with your individual physical condition.