Q. I'm currently taking supplements like diet probiotics; how does a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinic help with weight management?

Many people experience fatigue or dizziness when relying solely on extreme dieting or supplements. In TKM, we focus on the fundamental question: 'Why is it so difficult for me specifically to lose weight?' Our approach follows a systematic diagnostic process. First, we identify the presence of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮), which refers to abnormal fluid accumulation or metabolic waste. An excess of Dam-eum makes the body feel heavy and significantly slows down the metabolic rate. Next, we examine whether you have 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or deficiency in the Spleen/Digestive system. When your body cannot efficiently process and utilize energy, you may gain weight even while eating small portions. Furthermore, we work to remove 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, which obstructs circulation. Clearing these blockages creates an optimal internal environment for burning body fat. Based on this analysis, we prescribe personalized herbal medicine to replenish deficient energy and expel toxins, which helps regulate appetite and increase your basal metabolic rate. Finally, instead of extreme calorie restriction, we provide guidance on diet and activity levels tailored to your specific constitution to minimize the risk of the 'yo-yo effect.' While supplements play a supportive role, the TKM approach is a process of resetting your body's fundamental biological systems.