Nowadays, people's lives are getting better and better, and many people are suffering from "obesity", so weight loss has become a fashionable topic. So, how can we effectively lose weight? How to "put on the brakes" for obesity? Currently, there are many methods for controlling obesity, such as taking weight loss pills, dieting, and exercise therapy, but these methods all have their own flaws and drawbacks. For example, taking weight loss pills is a form of weight loss through diarrhea and diuresis. Although this method can quickly reduce weight, it only loses water, not fat. And with the loss of water, electrolyte imbalance occurs in the body, which can easily lead to metabolic acidosis. It can be said that this method of losing weight has no benefits and only harms. Another example is dieting and controlling water intake to lose weight. Although dieting can reduce calorie intake, it is not sustainable and can easily lead to ketoacidosis, causing symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can even develop into anorexia, endangering life. Controlling water intake not only affects fat metabolism, but also increases the burden on the liver and kidneys, preventing timely excretion of waste products during metabolism, ultimately causing self-poisoning reactions. Exercise is also a method of weight loss. Moderate exercise can indeed accelerate the "burning" of fat and is beneficial for weight loss. However, many people pursue rapid weight loss and adopt excessive and high-intensity exercise, which only consumes glucose in the body and does not contribute to fat metabolism. Moreover, it is difficult to stick to exercise for weight loss, resulting in minimal results.
Acupuncture for weight loss regulates spleen and stomach function
Compared with the above methods, using acupuncture to control obesity does not have the same problems. It can effectively inhibit fat accumulation, accelerate fat consumption, and does not have the pain and side effects of other weight loss methods. In recent years, acupuncture for weight loss has received more and more attention and favor from people because it is safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly.
From the perspective of modern medicine, the principle of acupuncture for weight loss can be simply summarized as regulating the peripheral and central nervous systems, adjusting the hormone and endocrine levels in the body, inhibiting the excitement of the digestive system, reducing hunger, and reducing appetite, ultimately achieving the goal of weight loss. Traditional Chinese medicine has its unique insights and understanding of weight loss. The classic ancient book of traditional Chinese medicine, "Huangdi Neijing," states: "Those who are fat and noble are diseases of high sorghum.” The famous physician of the Ming Dynasty, Li Dongyuan, also said, "If the spleen and stomach are strong, one can eat and become fat; if the spleen and stomach are weak, one cannot eat and becomes thin or eats less and becomes fat." In simple terms, traditional Chinese medicine believes that obesity is caused by the indulgence of fatty and sweet foods and the consumption of greasy foods. The organs involved mainly include the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach belong to the earth in the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine, responsible for the transportation and transformation of food and drink, and the main physiological functions are food and drink intake, the production of qi and blood, and the transportation of nutrients throughout the body, assisting normal circulation of qi, blood, and body fluids.
Therefore, if there is a problem with the spleen and stomach, it will cause a series of problems. As Li Dongyuan said, either excessive appetite, overeating, and eventually obesity; or reduced appetite, but due to the interference of digestive function, the energy intake cannot be promptly converted and transported, resulting in accumulation in the body, eventually forming fat. "The impurities of the earth breed many things." When the spleen and stomach function normally, it naturally produces nutrients. If it is not normal, what is produced is "garbage", which traditional Chinese medicine calls "phlegm-dampness". "Phlegm-dampness" not only interferes with normal metabolism and hinders the circulation of qi and blood, but also often accumulates in certain parts of the body. Over time, it leads to local swelling and obesity.
Acupuncture for weight loss targets the factors that cause obesity mentioned above, uses traditional Chinese medicine theory as a guide, and uses specific acupoints to adjust spleen and stomach function, help the circulation of qi and blood, and eliminate various problems such as "phlegm-dampness", comprehensively regulating overweight individuals and achieving a natural balance of physiological levels, eliminating fat and excess flesh. In clinical practice, doctors generally select acupoints along the foot Taiyin spleen meridian, foot Yangming stomach meridian, and some related acupoints. At the same time, they also select specific acupoints that are effective in eliminating "phlegm-dampness", such as Tian Shu, Zhong Wan, Guan Yuan, Zu San Li, San Yin Jiao, Yin Ling Quan, Shang Ju Xu, Feng Long, and Shui Fen. If it is only abdominal obesity, also known as "beer belly" among the general public, acupoints around the navel will also be selected for acupuncture, such as Hua Rou Men, Qi Hai, Shui Dao, Da Heng, etc. At the same time, since "phlegm-dampness" belongs to water evil from a pathological nature, and the kidneys are the water organ of the body, controlling all the water in the body, in clinical practice, some acupoints of the kidney meridian may also be added, such as Tai Xi, Zhao Hai, Heng Gu, Fu Liu, and Si Man.
Multiple acupuncture techniques achieve remarkable weight loss effects
At present, acupuncture for weight loss techniques has become increasingly mature, and there are different acupuncture techniques for different situations. The most commonly used method is body acupuncture, which involves the use of fine needles to directly puncture acupoints on the chest, abdomen, waist, back, and limbs, using different techniques depending on the condition. This method can regulate spleen and stomach function as a whole, reduce overall fat accumulation, and achieve the overall effect of weight loss and body shaping. Another method is flat needle technique, which uses fine needles to puncture the skin and penetrate the adipose tissue. This method can change the external environment around the adipose tissue, mobilize fat cells, increase metabolic rate, and increase fat consumption, especially suitable for severe local obesity such as abdominal obesity. Another commonly seen method is electroacupuncture, which refers to the application of a small amount of microcurrent wave that the human body can tolerate on the needle after it is inserted into the acupoint, in order to enhance the sensation and therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Studies have shown that through electrical stimulation, local muscles can be vibrated, especially in the abdomen. This helps to accelerate fat "burning" and promote metabolic breakdown. It has better effects on local obesity such as "beer belly".
Reminder: Strictly speaking, acupuncture for weight loss belongs to the field of medical beauty with trauma or invasiveness. During acupuncture, due to differences in patients' physical conditions, situations such as fainting may occur, and timely medical treatment is required. For personal safety considerations, it is recommended that obese individuals receive acupuncture treatment in regular medical institutions, which can ensure efficacy and protect their health rights and interests.
