With so many non-face-to-face prescriptions available these days, is there still a reason why I should visit a Korean medicine clinic in person for diet and weight loss treatment?
While non-face-to-face services offer superior convenience, weight loss is not just about taking medicine; it is a process of restoring your body's disrupted rhythm. For those starting for the first time or those struggling with recurring yo-yo effects, in-person visits are far safer and more accurate for precise diagnosis via pulse and tongue examination, as well as integrating supplementary treatments like acupuncture and Chuna therapy.
In the beginning of my practice, I also wondered if simply prescribing the right herbs would suffice. However, after seeing countless patients, I realized that the causes of weight gain are incredibly diverse for every individual.
Some patients suffer from Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛), where weakened digestive functions cause the metabolism to stall. Others have Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血), where poor circulation leads to severe edema. Some struggle with Phlegm-Fluid Retention (Dam-eum, 痰飮), where accumulated metabolic waste blocks the flow of Qi (vital energy).
It is honestly difficult to pinpoint these nuanced differences through a questionnaire alone. Only by meeting in person to perform pulse diagnosis (Maek-jin) and tongue diagnosis (Seol-jin) can I determine whether to prescribe herbs that clear heat or those that boost energy.
I especially recommend in-person consultations for those who have experienced side effects from conventional diet pills or severe yo-yo dieting. When the body is already exhausted, aggressively suppressing appetite without a proper diagnosis can lead to adverse reactions such as dizziness.
I suggest visiting the clinic for the first couple of sessions so we can thoroughly assess your physical condition. Once your body has adapted and reached a stable state, transitioning to non-face-to-face management is the most efficient and safest approach.
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