Obesity is defined as having a body weight that exceeds 20% of the standard body weight or a body mass index greater than 23. Obesity not only affects a person's appearance and aesthetics, but also increases the risk of various diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes, which seriously impact one's health. According to traditional Chinese medicine, obesity is caused by spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction. Acupuncture can regulate the meridians and promote the function of the spleen, eliminating dampness and transforming phlegm.
Acupuncture for weight loss works by adjusting the endocrine function and inhibiting gastrointestinal absorption, gradually reducing excess fat in the body.
Body Acupuncture for Weight Loss
1. Select main acupoints from the spleen meridian, stomach meridian, and large intestine meridian. Main acupoints from the spleen meridian include Yinlingquan, Xuehai, and Sanyinjiao; from the stomach meridian include Tian Shu and Zusanli; from the large intestine meridian include Quchi and Hegu. Additional acupoints for the cheek area are Jia Che; for the abdominal area are Zhong Wan, Liang Men, Qi Hai, and Da Heng; for the back and waist area are Piyu, Stomach Yu, Weizhong, and Chengshan. These acupoints can regulate the meridians, promote digestion, strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, and dissolve phlegm. Method: Use fine needles, retain the needles for 30 minutes, once a day. Depending on the degree of obesity, 10-20 sessions constitute one course of treatment. Each course can lead to a weight loss of 3-5 kg.
2. Select acupoints such as Neiguan, Fenglong, Liangqiu, Guanyuan, Zusanli, Tianzhu, and Quchi. Method: Once every other day, use a balanced reinforcing and reducing technique, retain the needles for 20 minutes. 15-20 minutes constitute one course of treatment.
3. Select acupoints such as Tianzhu, Shuidao, Qimen, Fengshi, and Shenshu. Method: Once every other day, retain the needles for 20 minutes. 15-20 sessions constitute one course of treatment.
Ear Acupuncture for Weight Loss
1. Main acupoints on the ear include the mouth, spleen, lung, heart, Shenmen, and endocrine points, supplemented by Ermen, Jiaogan, and Dachang. After disinfection, use ear seeds or press needles to stimulate the acupoints on the ear. Fix them with adhesive tape and apply pressure every 3-4 days. Alternating pressure on both ears can also be effective for weight loss.
2. Select acupoints such as Jidian, supplemented by the esophagus, spleen, sympathetic, and endocrine points. Method: Insert intradermal needles into the acupoints, fix them with adhesive tape, and retain for 1 week. 10-12 consecutive treatments constitute one course of treatment.
Ear Pressure Therapy
Among various weight loss methods, ear acupuncture and ear pressure are commonly used in acupuncture weight loss. Among them, ear pressure therapy using ear seeds is the preferred method. Common prescriptions and methods for ear pressure therapy are as follows:
1. Select ear acupoints such as endocrine, hypothalamus, ovaries, brain, Jidian, Kedian, Shenmen, and stomach. Select 4-6 acupoints each time, press half a green bean on each acupoint, fix them with adhesive tape, and apply pressure 1-2 times per week. Through the treatment of ear acupoints with pressure on beans, it is relatively easy to adjust various metabolic functions of the body, promote fat decomposition, and achieve the effect of weight loss and lipid reduction. Pressure on beans can inhibit gastrointestinal peristalsis and reduce gastric acid secretion, thereby reducing hunger and continuously adjusting the body's internal functions, promoting accelerated metabolism and energy consumption, and reestablishing balance in the body. One course of treatment for ear pressure therapy is generally 30 days, and for individuals who are sensitive to this therapy, it can result in a weight loss of approximately 5 kg, with good results.
2. Select stomach acupoints, spleen acupoints, and endocrine acupoints. Use Wang Buliu Xingzi, a Chinese herbal medicine, to apply pressure on the ear acupoints, and fix them with adhesive tape. Press each acupoint for 2-3 minutes 30 minutes before meals, and a slight burning sensation is preferred.
3. Main acupoints include lung, spleen, kidney, Sanjiao, and endocrine points, and supplementary acupoints can be liver, stomach, Shenmen, subcortex, and Jidian. Before the treatment, disinfect the skin at the ear acupoint. Place Wang Buliu Xingzi, a Chinese herbal medicine, in the center of a 0.8 cm x 0.8 cm zinc oxide adhesive tape, and apply it to the selected ear acupoint. Instruct the patient to press each acupoint 4-8 times per day, 5 minutes per acupoint, to a mild degree of discomfort. Apply the tape for 6 days, take a rest for 1 day, and then apply the tape for the second time. 4 times constitute one course of treatment.
