Q. Can non-face-to-face diet herbal medicine prescriptions be done in Pohang? I'm curious about the method.

Many patients, especially those in distant areas like Pohang, inquire about non-face-to-face diet herbal medicine. While it is systematically feasible, not everyone qualifies. There are two main cases: (1) patients who have had at least one in-person visit to our hospital, and (2) those with relatively stable health that can be assessed through consultation alone. Severe edema, dyspnea, or uncontrolled underlying conditions require an in-person visit. The process begins with a 20–30 minute phone or video consultation, during which we gather detailed information on diet, digestion, bowel movements, sleep, fatigue level, and abdominal photos. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the four diagnostic methods—inspection, auscultation-olfaction, inquiry, and palpation—are essential; since palpation is absent in non-face-to-face settings, we compensate with thorough inquiry and visual cues to differentiate patterns such as Spleen deficiency (脾虛), Phlegm-dampness (痰飮), or Blood stasis (瘀血). Based on the diagnosis, a personalized herbal formula is prescribed, prepared as a decoction or pill, and shipped via courier, usually arriving the next day. Follow-up consultations are scheduled every 2–4 weeks to adjust the prescription as needed. It is important to note that this approach is not a quick-fix 'magic pill'—rather, it aims to normalize metabolism by tonifying the Spleen and resolving Phlegm-dampness, thereby reducing the risk of rebound weight gain or side effects. If you have further questions, feel free to ask.