Acupuncture is a method commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating diseases and promoting health. It can be beneficial for patients with high blood lipids. So, which acupuncture points are effective for lowering blood lipids?
Does acupuncture help lower high blood lipids?
Acupuncture can have a certain effect in lowering high blood lipids.
Acupuncture involves the use of gentle heat and the medicinal properties of burning moxa on the surface or specific acupuncture points of the body. Through the conduction of meridians, it can promote blood circulation, balance yin and yang, and achieve the effects of disease prevention and treatment.
Acupuncture points for lowering blood lipids
Diji: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, on the line connecting the tip of the inner ankle and the Yinlingquan point, about 3 inches below the Yinlingquan.
Sanyinjiao: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the tip of the inner ankle, behind the inner edge of the tibia.
Zhongwan: Located in the upper abdomen, on the midline, about 4 inches above the navel.
Shenque: Located in the center of the abdomen, at the center of the navel.
Xuanzhong: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the tip of the outer ankle, on the anterior edge of the fibula.
Neiguan: Located on the palmar side of the forearm, on the line connecting Quze and Daling, 2 inches above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of the flexor carpi radialis and the flexor carpi ulnaris.
Ganyu: Located on the back, 1.5 inches below the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra.
Piyu: Located on the back, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches to the side.
Mingmen: Located in the lower back, on the midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra.
Zusanli: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the calf's nose, one horizontal finger's width from the anterior edge of the tibia.
Fenglong: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 8 inches above the tip of the outer ankle, outside the tibial crest, two horizontal finger's widths from the anterior edge of the tibia.
Acupuncture methods for lowering blood lipids
1. Gently moxibustion on Shenque, Zusanli, Piyu, Ganyu, Xuanzhong, Sanyinjiao, Diji, Fenglong, Ganyu, and Neiguan. The patient should be in a comfortable position, and the practitioner should hold a lit moxa stick and perform moxibustion at a height of 3-5 cm from the skin. Moxibustion on Shenque for 10-20 minutes, Zusanli for 5-15 minutes, Piyu for 10-15 minutes, and Xuanzhong, Sanyinjiao, Diji, Fenglong, and Ganyu for 5-15 minutes per point until the skin becomes slightly red. This should be done once a day.
2. Circular moxibustion on Zhongwan and Mingmen. The patient should be in a suitable position, and the lit end of the moxa stick should be directed towards the moxibustion site, about 3 cm away from the skin. The practitioner should perform moxibustion in a circular or back-and-forth motion. Moxibustion on Zhongwan should be performed 2-3 times a day for 10-20 minutes each time, and moxibustion on Mingmen should be performed 1-2 times a week for 10-15 minutes each time.
Precautions for acupuncture in lowering blood lipids
1. The selection of acupuncture points should be based on the specific needs of the disease, and attention should be paid to maintaining a comfortable and natural position to ensure the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment.
2. During the acupuncture session, it is important to concentrate and avoid distractions to prevent the moxa stick from moving and burning the skin.
3. Acupuncture treatment should be persisted for a long time. Skipping treatments frequently will not yield therapeutic results.
