Q. I'm eating fewer calories according to the calculator, but I'm not losing weight. How does a Korean medicine clinic approach this?

I completely understand the frustration of obsessing over calorie counting and diet plans; I've been there myself. However, the human body does not function like a simple calculator. If you have reached a plateau despite eating less, we analyze the situation from three Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspectives: 1. Removing Dam-eum (Phlegm-Fluid): This refers to the accumulation of unnecessary waste and moisture in the body. Much like residue clogging an engine, this slows down your metabolism, making weight loss difficult even with a caloric deficit. 2. Improving Bi-heo (Spleen Deficiency): This is a state where the Spleen's function—specifically digestion and absorption—is weakened. When energy efficiency drops, the body enters a 'survival mode,' causing it to hold onto fat more stubbornly. 3. Addressing Eo-hyeol (Blood Stasis): When blood circulation is poor and stagnant blood accumulates, the basal metabolic rate drops significantly. This is particularly common in patients suffering from lower-body edema or chronic coldness. Based on this, our treatment follows a systematic sequence: First, we clear existing Dam-eum and Eo-hyeol to open up metabolic pathways. Second, we treat Bi-heo to increase your foundational strength, ensuring that your body generates energy efficiently even with modest intake. Third, we optimize appetite control and metabolism through personalized herbal medicine and acupuncture tailored to your unique constitution. Rather than the 'blind effort' of starving yourself, it is far more efficient to first clear the blockages in your body. Let's work together to find the right pace that suits your system.