I only gain weight in my lower body. How does a Korean medicine clinic approach weight loss for this?
Rather than focusing on starvation, we prioritize 'circulation.' When metabolic waste accumulates in the lower body, weight loss is difficult regardless of calorie restriction. We identify the cause of edema based on your constitution and use herbal medicine and acupuncture to clear blockages, balancing the body and naturally refining your lower body line.
Many patients struggling with lower body obesity express frustration that their legs simply do not slim down despite effort. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is not viewed merely as an accumulation of fat, but as a problem of 'stagnation.'
At our clinic, we typically follow these steps to address the issue:
1. Removal of Stagnant Waste: We first eliminate 'Dameum' (痰飮), which refers to unnecessary fluids and metabolic waste in the body. When Dameum settles in the lower body, it creates a heavy, sluggish sensation in the legs.
2. Improving Blood Circulation: We resolve 'Eohyeol' (瘀血), or stagnant blood. Proper blood flow to the extremities is essential to activate metabolism and reduce lower body edema.
3. Strengthening Digestive Function: We treat 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), a state of spleen deficiency where impaired digestive function leads to poor fluid metabolism. A healthy digestive system is key to absorbing nutrients efficiently while excreting waste.
4. Personalized Herbal Medicine and Procedures: We prescribe customized herbal medicine to boost metabolism and utilize acupuncture or pharmacopuncture to directly stimulate tight muscles and circulation pathways.
Crash dieting often worsens edema. It is crucial to first understand why your body is retaining fluid in the lower extremities and then implement a targeted solution.
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