Q. I keep experiencing yo-yo dieting. Is there a way to identify the fundamental cause of obesity in my body?

Yes, it is entirely possible. After observing many patients who repeatedly failed diets, I realized the key question is 'where is the blockage?' In Traditional Korean Medicine, obesity's root causes are viewed through three axes. First is Spleen deficiency (脾虛). The Spleen transforms food into energy; when weakened, unabsorbed fluids and nutrients accumulate, leading to a puffy face, poor appetite with a protruding belly, and bloating after small meals. Fasting short-term actually worsens this, causing more severe yo-yo effects. Second is Phlegm-fluid (痰飮). Prolonged Spleen deficiency creates sticky residues (phlegm) that lodge in vessels and tissues, blocking blood flow. This makes exercise ineffective for waste removal and causes firm belly fat, alternating constipation and diarrhea, or a sensation of phlegm. Third is Blood stasis (瘀血). Chronic stress, coldness, or lack of exercise impairs circulation, forming stasis. Signs include pain, acne or skin issues, menstrual irregularities, or dark purple sublingual veins. These often occur in combination. A self-checklist followed by pulse and abdominal palpation at a Korean medicine clinic allows precise diagnosis. Treatment then varies—tonifying the Spleen (補脾), expelling Phlegm (祛痰), or invigorating Blood (活血)—to normalize metabolic mechanisms rather than forcing rapid weight loss. This approach reduces yo-yo severity and gradually stabilizes weight. Patience is needed; changing body patterns requires at least 8–12 weeks, so avoid rushing. Culturally, this reflects the TKM principle of addressing the root (根本) rather than symptoms.