Q. I heard that the reasons for weight gain vary by constitution. How do you analyze and diagnose my specific body condition?
We analyze your Qi-Blood status and organ function rather than just your weight, as the pathways through which metabolic waste accumulates differ by constitution.
📝 Detailed Answer
If you have tried dieting before, you may have noticed that even when eating the same amount, some people lose weight quickly while others see no change. Through my experience with numerous cases, I have found that this is not simply a matter of 'calories.'
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we approach this as a constitutional issue. For instance, we first determine if you are in a state of Spleen Deficiency (Bi-Heo), where weak digestive function causes metabolic stagnation, or if you have a buildup of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-Jeok) or Blood Stasis (Eo-Hyeol), where poor circulation causes waste to accumulate.
💡 Diagnostic Focus
Our goal is not merely to reduce the number on the scale, but to identify the root cause—the 'defense mechanism'—that prevents your body from losing weight.
- Inquiry and Survey: We conduct a detailed review of your dietary habits, sleep patterns, and the extent and location of edema (swelling).
- Inspection (Mang-Jin): We examine your complexion, tongue coating (설태), and skin tone to assess the overload status of internal organs.
- Palpation (Jeol-Jin): Through pulse diagnosis (맥진), we determine the strength of your vital energy and the balance between heat and cold.
- Comprehensive Analysis: Based on these steps, we decide whether your condition is a Deficiency Pattern (Gi-Heo) or an Excess Pattern (Sil-Jeung) to determine the direction of your prescription.
Depending on these results, some patients may need herbal medicine to boost their vital energy, while others may require treatment to clear blocked metabolic waste. This is why personalized diagnosis is essential.
Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director
Last reviewed 2026.04.24