Q. I’m gaining weight specifically in my belly as I age. How does a Korean medicine clinic manage abdominal obesity?

I personally experienced the shock of a protruding belly in my mid-30s, realizing it was the dreaded 'middle-age spread.' In Korean Medicine, abdominal obesity is often rooted in 'circulatory stagnation' rather than simple calorie intake. First, we must clear Blood Stasis (Eohyeol) and Phlegm-fluid (Dameum). Blood Stasis refers to stagnant blood waste, while Phlegm-fluid denotes non-physiological metabolic waste. When these toxins block the abdominal area, circulation stagnates, significantly hindering fat decomposition. Next, we treat Spleen Deficiency (Biheo). When Spleen function is weak, the body fails to convert nutrients into energy, instead storing them as fat in the abdomen. We then replenish Original Qi (Wongi) to boost your metabolic rate. Only when the body has sufficient vitality will it feel 'safe' enough to burn fat; if energy is depleted, the body perceives fat as emergency fuel and refuses to release it. Finally, by restoring balance to the Five Viscera and Six Bowels, we can prevent the yo-yo effect. By following these steps tailored to your constitution, your body will regain the power to discharge waste naturally without forced starvation.