Q. I've hit a weight loss plateau during my diet. What methods do you recommend at a Korean medicine clinic?

I understand the frustration and dizziness that come with a sudden halt in progress; I've experienced the struggle of simply eating less and exercising more only to hit a wall. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), a plateau is often viewed as a state where the circulation of Qi and Blood is obstructed, leading to the accumulation of metabolic waste. Specifically, this often involves 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention)—where unnecessary fluids and waste clump together—and 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis)—where blood flow is sluggish. These 'residuals' lower metabolic efficiency, prolonging the plateau. Our approach focuses on filling depleted energy to increase your basal metabolic rate and minimizing muscle loss by avoiding forced starvation. This reduces psychological pressure, making the journey more sustainable. The only drawback is that TKM utilizes personalized prescriptions, which take more time than over-the-counter products. Depending on your constitution, a brief adaptation period or a 'healing crisis' (myeong-hyeon reaction) may occur initially. Ultimately, the solution depends on your specific body type. The prescription differs entirely depending on whether you suffer from 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency) leading to poor digestion, or if the primary issue is simply poor circulation. Rather than stressing alone, the fastest way to break a plateau is to identify your unique physiological state together.