Q. I live in Ulsan and want to try a non-face-to-face Korean medicine diet. How does it work?

Yes, more Korean medicine clinics are offering non-face-to-face consultations, and I initially wondered if it would work. In practice, it involves video consultations, questionnaires, and photos/videos to assess body shape and tongue condition, after which herbal medicine is delivered by courier. The advantages are convenience for office workers or remote residents, and less burden for regular follow-ups. However, there are clear drawbacks: without pulse diagnosis and abdominal diagnosis—core methods in Korean medicine—it is difficult to precisely detect internal circulation issues or organ weakness. This is especially problematic for those with spleen deficiency causing poor digestion, blood stasis leading to severe menstrual pain or swelling, or phlegm-fluid constitution, which is best assessed by direct abdominal palpation. Based on my own trial and error, I recommend initially visiting in person for the first consultation, then transitioning to non-face-to-face for follow-up care. For someone living in Ulsan, it may be better to first find a nearby clinic or consider a hybrid approach rather than relying solely on non-face-to-face care. Since the choice depends on your condition, make sure to ask during the consultation about the scope of what can be handled non-face-to-face.