Acupuncture for weight loss also needs to be combined with diet control. New mothers should wait for their menstrual period to become regular and for the child to stop breastfeeding before starting treatment.
Contraindications for Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Experts explain that according to traditional Chinese medicine, obesity is a manifestation of deficiency in the body, mainly due to deficiency of qi, with the main pathological site being the spleen. Acupuncture for weight loss is a treatment method guided by the theory of meridians in Chinese medicine. It involves stimulating specific acupuncture points on the meridians to balance yin and yang, regulate organs, promote the circulation of qi and blood, and unblock the meridians, thus achieving weight loss. From the perspective of modern medicine, acupuncture for weight loss mainly works by regulating the nervous system, endocrine system, water and salt metabolism, and lipid metabolism. On one hand, it can suppress excessive appetite, inhibit hyperactive gastrointestinal functions, and reduce energy intake. On the other hand, it can enhance energy expenditure and promote fat decomposition, thus achieving weight loss.
As a treatment method, acupuncture for weight loss also has its indications and contraindications. Experts say that acupuncture for weight loss is only suitable for individuals with simple obesity. Patients with secondary obesity caused by other diseases should first treat the underlying diseases. In addition, acupuncture for weight loss is not suitable for postpartum women whose menstrual period has not returned to normal, breastfeeding women, and obese patients with serious conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, liver and kidney dysfunction, tumors, and blood disorders. In terms of age, acupuncture for weight loss is more effective for young and middle-aged individuals between 18 and 55 years old. During this age range, the body's various functions are relatively healthy, making it easier to adjust various metabolic functions through acupuncture.
Experts point out that according to statistics, the effectiveness rate of acupuncture for weight loss exceeds 80%. However, in their clinical experience over the past few years, they have found that acupuncture for weight loss is almost ineffective for obese patients who have previously taken ineffective weight loss drugs or experienced weight rebound after initial success. They speculate that this may be because these patients' bodies have been repeatedly stimulated by drugs, making them less sensitive to acupuncture stimulation.
Postpartum and post-abortion women should not receive acupuncture before their menstrual period returns to normal
Experts say that recently many new mothers are eager to try weight loss immediately after completing their postpartum confinement. "The endocrine levels in women who have just given birth are gradually returning to normal. According to clinical experience, acupuncture for weight loss during this period is indeed more effective." However, they advise new mothers who are interested in acupuncture for weight loss to wait until after their child has stopped breastfeeding. "Because acupuncture for weight loss requires dietary adjustments, such as temporarily replacing pork, beef, and lamb with fish and chicken. However, for women still breastfeeding, doing so may affect the nutritional composition of breast milk. Therefore, the treatment should start after the child stops breastfeeding."
In addition, women who are in their menstrual period or have not yet returned to normal menstrual cycles after childbirth or abortion are temporarily not suitable for acupuncture for weight loss. Experts explain that this is because acupuncture for weight loss requires the use of the "Qi Returning to the Origin" technique in abdominal acupuncture. "According to abdominal acupuncture theory, from the invisible essence to the formation of embryos, the human body relies entirely on the umbilical system, which is centered around the Shenque point in the large abdomen. It not only has a known circulatory system related to the overall circulation of qi and blood in the body, but also has an advanced regulation system for the entire body, which regulates the endocrine system, nervous system, and metabolism, and can improve the patient's physical abilities. However, women who are in their menstrual period or have not yet returned to normal menstrual cycles after childbirth or abortion may experience increased menstrual flow due to the treatment, so the treatment should be avoided during this period."
Still need to combine diet control and physical exercise
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the differentiation of syndromes for treatment, and acupuncture for weight loss is no exception. Experts say that for each person receiving acupuncture for weight loss treatment in the acupuncture department, after confirming that they have indications for acupuncture for weight loss, their constitution should also be determined. Acupuncture for weight loss has a set of basic needling techniques, but for individuals with different constitutions, it is necessary to combine syndrome differentiation and select appropriate acupuncture points. For example, for obese individuals with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction, in addition to the main acupuncture points, additional points such as Yinlingquan and Gongsun should be used.
Experts remind that although acupuncture for weight loss has the dual mechanism of suppressing excessive appetite and promoting energy metabolism, it does not mean that overweight patients can "lie in bed, close their eyes, and receive a few needles to successfully lose weight." In the healthy weight loss plan provided to obese patients undergoing treatment, it is also recommended to maintain a light diet and control food intake, eat less starchy foods, control sugar intake, eat more vegetables, soy products, lean meat, and dairy products, and avoid fried foods, nuts with shells, desserts, and various cold drinks. At the same time, it is necessary to increase physical exercise. The experts say, "During acupuncture for weight loss, diet control and physical exercise are also required. However, the relevant acupuncture techniques can also suppress excessive appetite and promote energy metabolism."
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