Q. 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?

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.