Chinese medicine weight loss mainly achieves weight loss through acupuncture at corresponding acupoints and other commonly used auxiliary treatments in Chinese medicine. It uses the principle of Chinese medicine dialectical treatment to adjust the endocrine system and regulate the nervous and endocrine functions of obese individuals through comprehensive treatments such as acupuncture and acupressure. Now let's learn about the classification of Chinese medicine weight loss methods.
I. Stagnation of Liver Qi Type Obesity
People with this type of obesity have poor blood circulation due to liver stagnation, resulting in abnormal metabolism. How can they not be overweight?
Home prevention and treatment mainly focus on acupoint massage. The recommended acupoint in Chinese medicine is Taichong acupoint. Taichong acupoint is located on the dorsum of the foot, between the big toe and the second toe. Before massaging Taichong acupoint, you can sit or lie down, take a few deep breaths to expand your chest, and then sit down and use the tip of your thumb to press and move upward along the gap between the big toe and the second toe until you feel the pulsation of the artery, which means you have pressed the Taichong acupoint. Gradually increase the pressure and hold it for 1 minute before slowly releasing the pressure. Repeat this acupressure on Taichong acupoint 3-5 times. The strength of the massage should be moderately painful and gradually increased. The massage can also be performed near the Taichong acupoint, or at other nodules and tender points along the liver meridian, such as Ligu acupoint. However, excessive force should be avoided to prevent subcutaneous hematoma. You can drink a small amount of water after pressing to help with metabolism.
II. Deficiency of Liver and Kidney Type Obesity
People with this type of obesity are generally over 50 years old and often have chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Even if they eat less, their weight still increases. Chinese medicine believes that the liver governs dispersion and the kidneys govern water. People with liver and kidney deficiencies have impaired dispersion function and irregular metabolism of body fluids, which leads to obesity. Nourishing the liver and kidneys is the most direct way to regulate this condition.
There are many foods and medicines that can nourish the liver and kidneys. Chinese medicine experts recommend a type of fish - perch, especially perch during the spring and summer. The taste is delicious, especially when steamed. The book "Jiayoubencao" from the Northern Song Dynasty recorded that perch can "nourish the five viscera, strengthen tendons and bones, regulate the intestines and stomach, and treat water and dampness." Therefore, people with liver and kidney deficiencies can eat more perch during the spring and summer.
III. Deficiency of Blood Type Obesity
Blood deficiency obesity is caused by insufficient blood in the body. When there is insufficient blood, necessary nutrients cannot be transported to various parts of the body, and excess substances are easily accumulated in the body, leading to obesity.
IV. Stomach Heat and Phlegm Stagnation Type Obesity
People with this type of obesity generally have well-developed muscles, but they are prone to thirst and have a large appetite. They tend to drink cold water when it's hot, and it is more common in males. This type of obese individuals are the most likely to succeed in weight loss and have a low rate of weight regain. In their bodies, there is a "fire" that causes excess substances to accumulate due to phlegm stagnation, which ultimately leads to obesity.
Acupoint massage can choose the Neiting acupoint. Neiting acupoint is the Ying acupoint of the stomach meridian of the foot Yangming. "Ying" means that the spring water has become a small stream. "Lingshu: Ben Shu" says: "Neiting is the space between the second and third toes, which is Ying." Neiting acupoint has the effect of clearing the stomach, eliminating fire, regulating qi, and relieving pain. It can be said to be the nemesis of heat and fire symptoms. "Nanjing: 68 Difficulties" pointed out: "Ying is the main heat in the body." This shows that the Ying acupoint is mainly used for fever symptoms. Neiting acupoint is located on the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes, at the junction of the red and white flesh. When taking the acupoint, sit upright or lie down, and press the fingertips of one thumb on the acupoint. Apply slight pressure until a sore and swollen sensation is felt. Press each side for 1 minute, a total of 2 minutes, and massage it every day.
V. Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Obstruction Type Obesity
Chinese medicine believes that irregular diet is one of the important causes of obesity. An easy and inactive lifestyle is also a major factor in inducing obesity. Although the direct cause of obesity is "irregular diet, intake exceeding expenditure", the internal causes are mostly related to the dysfunction of the organs, mainly the spleen and stomach, liver, and kidneys. The key lies in the abnormal function of the spleen and stomach. Food and grain enter the stomach and rely on the healthy function of the spleen and stomach to transform into refined substances. If the spleen and stomach are weak, the transformation will be impaired, and the water and grain will accumulate in the body, leading to obesity. Therefore, the treatment of this type of obesity focuses on regulating the spleen and stomach and clearing and lowering turbidity.
People with this type of obesity generally have normal appetites, soft muscles, easy fatigue and weakness, swelling of the limbs, weakness in hands and feet, lack of exercise, feeling weak and soft all over after meals, and sticky mouth. They may also experience swollen eyes in the morning. So how to regulate it?
The book "Huangdi Neijing" records "Dampness qi communicates with the spleen." Because the spleen likes dryness and dislikes dampness, when dampness stays in the body, it is most likely to affect the spleen. It can be seen that eliminating dampness while strengthening the spleen is the main method of treatment. Chinese medicine experts suggest trying moxibustion on the Fenglong acupoint. Fenglong acupoint is located on the front and outer side of the lower leg, eight inches above the tip of the outer ankle, outside the muscle crease of the leg, two horizontal fingers away from the anterior edge of the tibia (middle finger). This acupoint is located in the lower part of the stomach meridian. The stomach meridian and the spleen meridian converge here, connecting the qi, blood, and substances of the stomach and spleen. It is the foot Yangming Luo acupoint. Moxibustion on this acupoint is effective in invigorating the spleen and eliminating dampness. Generally, moxibustion on this acupoint for 15 minutes per day is sufficient.
