I'm curious about the actual experiences of people who have tried non-face-to-face herbal diet programs. Who typically finds them most satisfying?
Based on my clinical experience, non-face-to-face care is most effective for returning patients who have already had an initial in-person consultation for constitution diagnosis. For instance, a professional woman in her 40s was highly satisfied as she could communicate symptoms via photos and text to refine her prescription. However, those who start entirely remotely may feel a lack of precision since pulse diagnosis is unavailable. Thus, it is best suited for stable, follow-up care rather than initial diagnosis.
While remote herbal diet programs offer convenience, they possess inherent limitations regarding diagnostic tools, specifically pulse diagnosis (Maek-jin) and abdominal palpation (Bok-jin). At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we mandate an in-person initial visit to establish a baseline, using video or phone consultations only for subsequent progress monitoring. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), weight loss is not merely about reducing mass but about correcting constitutional imbalances such as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo), Phlegm-Fluid accumulation (Dam-eum), and Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol). For example, a patient with Spleen Deficiency requires metabolic stimulation and appetite control; diagnosing this accurately without palpating the pulse and relying solely on tongue diagnosis (Seol-jin) can be ambiguous. Conversely, managing side effects like digestive discomfort or headaches during the treatment process can be handled effectively via remote communication. After refining our protocols, we have found that the 'In-person Initiation, Remote Maintenance' model is the safest and most effective path. Satisfaction increases when the patient is in an environment that allows for consistent communication tailored to their specific constitution and lifestyle. Ultimately, results vary significantly depending on the patient's unique condition and their level of cooperation with the practitioner.
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