Weight loss with acupuncture

Mar 29

Losing weight can be such a drag especially when you are eating right, exercising, sleeping, meditating, and drinking your water. So, is acupuncture really going to help? Let’s take a look at a study from the Cochrane Library.

Research Study

There were 71 obesity patients in total of this study. Forty (n=40) underwent an acupuncture & nutrition consultation group the other thirty one (n=31) underwent simple nutrition consultation (without acupuncture).

Acupuncture was administered for thirty minutes, once every other day or 3 times per week for 4 weeks with a total of 12 visits.

For the simple nutrition-consultation group, each individual received weekly nutrition consultation for 4 weeks. Pre and post treatment of the patients’ body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, body fat percentage, muscle mass, protein quality, water quality, and bone mass were examined.

After 4 weeks, body mass, BMI, fat mass and fat percentage in both groups significantly decreased while the weight levels of muscle, protein, bone, and water content remained the same. The difference is that the group with acupuncture had statistically better results in body weight, BMI, fat mass and fat percentage. The conclusion is that the acupuncture with nutrition consultation is effective in reducing body mass, fat mass, and percentage of body fat in obesity patients.

TCM and Weight Management

We can explain this in different angles, but the most common and popular explanation is one that pertains to the Silicon Valley - high stress, no sleep, high sugar, fast pace life.

Such habits will impede in the flow and management of the system that regulates water, fats, and food metabolism. Impediments in this with the added external stress compounds to an extremely inefficient process of energy. A quick and dirty biochemistry breakdown on fat development is this: you eat food, food gets converted into energy immediately if you need it (via glycolysis), if not, it gets stored into glycogen (short term energy storage) and fats (long term energy storage).

Glycogen is made in the liver and muscles. In TCM, the liver is affected by stress and the muscles is affected by the spleen and stomach system (which is related to digestion and metabolism). It gets convoluted if we start talking about pattern differentiation and how one is diagnosed, but I just want to inform you that such pathways or systems are the key players in your weight management.

How to treat it?

Like the study mentioned, there are key points we can use to access the metabolism and the need for nutritional counseling. TCM nutrition counseling not only looks at what you’re eating, how much you’re eating, but also on what you feel and how hot or cold you feel. You know, like how your partner runs “hot” or “cold.” That’s what we mean but how “hot or cold” you feel. This can be diagnosed not only in your body temperature, but by feeling your pulse and looking at your tongue. It’s so weird, but so cool how it can be done.

Herbal supplements and other supplements may also be recommended if there is detection that you may be lacking specific nutrients and the dietary changes haven’t helped.

Based on the study, the following points were utilized: Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Tianshu (ST 25), Wailing (ST 26), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4)

Don’t give up - stay positive

I’ve worked with countless individuals who have tried to lose weight on their own through the “textbook” way. I want you to know that it doesn’t always work for everyone and the fact it did not work for you just means you are more unique. First, I want to commend you for trying. Second, I highly advise working with a weight loss specialist.

Good news is, I’ve got experience as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an exercise specialist, a fitness nutrition specialist. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or book an appointment online.