Acupuncture for Weight Loss By: Joey Komada, L.Ac.
How to
Lose the Weight and Keep It Off with Acupuncture and Chinese
Medicine.
Weight loss comes under the topic of "Weight
Control", because we are concerned with the loss and
MAINTENANCE of loss of weight. This is a multi-faceted
problem, and a good program involves diet, exercise and stress
reduction techniques. Chinese acupressure and digestive aid
exercises are also useful tools in the battle with weight
loss.
Acupuncture is an ADJUNCT therapy. It is not a
panacea or a wonder cure in the treatment of weight control.
But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to lose and
maintain that loss if the patient is willing to change their
lifestyle. The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is
unknown but we know that acupuncture needles inserted into
specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins
which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier
to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger
overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins
affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can
help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or
in this case too slow—i.e., the metabolism and the will
power.
The Acupuncture Treatment
In order for the
acupuncturist to choose the correct points for you, you must
first come in for a consultation to discuss your particular
pattern of overeating, and let the practitioner know in your
intake form if there are any real digestive difficulties. Then
the acupuncturist would check your pulse to discern the
general state of your energy and measure the health of your
stomach energy in particular, and then they would look at your
tongue to check for cracks, peeling or puffiness on the
stomach area, or a suspicious yellow or thick white coating
that might indicate troublesome heat or coldness in the
stomach and would provide some clues as to why the person was
gaining weight.
The Acupuncture Points
Then, armed
with this information, the acupuncturist would devise a
treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points.
Although the Chinese developed the system of auricular (ear)
acupuncture a long time ago, as one of the various
Microsystems of the body containing all the points relating to
the major organs and body parts, a Frenchman by the name of
Nogier, discovered many more acupuncture points on the ear
that pertain to Western medicine such as points called
"Adrenal", "Pituitary", "FSH", "Ovary", "Thyroid", etc. Many
of the points from both ear acupuncture systems that are
important for weight loss treatments are:
Mouth - for the
impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot
Stomach - for the person who eats even after they're full
or who's constantly nibbling
Hungry - for general appetite
control
Lung - for food addicts, and people who love
chocolate, sweets
Shenmen - a calming point, for the
psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration,
insecurity
Endocrine - for water retention that's
responsible for some of the weight gain
Adrenal and Ovary -
if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.
Spleen - for
sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances
Kidney - for
water retention, and nervous system and hormonal
imbalances
Thyroid - for slow metabolism
The
practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each
treatment depending upon the patient's problem and personality
profile regarding overeating.
Next, body points would be
selected.
During the first few treatments, most likely
the "Four Gate" points (LI 4, Liver3) would be used to
circulate the energy throughout the body and calm the nervous
system. Ren 12, the front collecting point of the stomach
energy would be chosen for many treatments, as would Stomach
36, three inches distal to the eye of the knee that tonifies
the energy and helps circulate oxygen and blood of the whole
body and of the stomach in particular. Then, based on the
diagnosis, the practitioner may add Stomach, 40, the master
point for mucous, or Kidney 7 or 10 for edema or water
retention.
The acupuncturist may use electro
stimulation on some of these acupuncture points to increase
the endorphin release and stimulate the metabolism. The
needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five
minutes depending on how much support was needed for the
patient, and after the needles are removed, ear tacs with
adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear
to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it
works is this: when the patient feels an urge to eat, s/he
applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth
for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the
point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient
and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about
resisting the temptation to eat. The patient removes the tacs
at home after three days and throws them away or takes them
out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a
good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person or
food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes
to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to
stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between
meals.
The Treatment Plan
The number of acupuncture
treatments necessary depends on the patient's goals for losing
weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their
commitment to keeping the weight off. If the overeating is
severe, a treatment every day for the first five days is
appropriate and can then taper off the second week to every
other day and the third week to every three days. For the
average patient who wants to lose between five to ten pounds,
one treatment every three days or twice a week until they
reach their goal is appropriate, and then a booster treatment
once every two weeks is optimal. After a few booster
treatments, the patient and practitioner will mutually decide
when to terminate frequent treatments and then can aim to meet
approximately four times a year at the change of seasons when
energy levels are unstable and tonification and harmonizing of
one's system is appropriate for everyone.
Nutritional
Counseling and Lifestyle Changes
As was mentioned earlier,
a good weight loss program includes nutritional counseling and
exercise as well as a commitment to make permanent lifestyle
changes. The acupuncturist can help with nutritional
counseling and can discuss a diet regimen that the patient can
live with and maintain for the long term. A diet that is high
in fiber and low in fat, with moderate amounts of low-density
carbohydrates and low-fat protein is usually the best choice
to adopt. With this type of a diet program, the patient can
avoid the pit-falls of yo-yo dieting or the tendency to lose
weight and then regain it. Other important tools that can aid
in weight loss are stress reduction techniques and a moderate
exercise regimen. The acupuncturist can suggest various stress
reduction methods that may include breathing exercises, Tai
Chi, yoga, meditation or biofeedback. And since the goal of a
weight program is not only weight loss but the maintenance of
that loss, an exercise program that the patient likes is the
best one to choose. The patient could try starting a program
that includes brisk walking three times a week for forty
minutes. After a few weeks when stamina is increased, they
could try walking five times a week. After that more aerobic
exercise can be added such as the treadmill, stair climber or
aerobics classes, cycling or whatever from of rigorous
exercise the person enjoys and can maintain for the long term.
It is a good idea to use free weights beginning with three
pound weights and practicing just two to three sets of arm
curls three times a week. Moderate weight training builds lean
body mass and helps to reduce body fat as well as strengthen
and build bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Chinese Herbal Medicine and Supplements
Next a
good individualized nutritional supplement program is
important because everyone has a different metabolism and
different needs for nutrients. It will include vitamins,
minerals, herbs antioxidants, phytochemicals and
nutraceuticals. These will support the diet program and
balance the blood sugar to help give the body the strength,
energy and defense it needs to maintain the healthy life style
that s/he has begun.
Many diet and appetite suppression
products are available on the market and surprisingly there is
a very effective and safe ancient Chinese herbaL formula for
digestion that comes in a pleasant tasting chewable wafer form
called BAO HE WAN. The ingredients are:
Shan Zha (Fructus
Crataegi) --promotes digestion of meat and fats; dissolves
food accumulation
Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) -- digests
alcohol, rice and vinegar and dissolves food
accumulation
Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani) -- digests starch
(wheat and breads)
Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Tangerine
Peel), and Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), -- resolve dampness and food
accumulations
Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) -- clears
stomach heat that may result from accumulated food that dries
up the digestive liquids
When this famous herbal
formula is drunk as a tea, other herbs may be added if there
is gas or abdominal distension such as cardamon or magnolia
bark. Or if constipation is a problem a gentle laxative like
Semen Pruni or Huo Ma Ren may be used. However an important
concept of Chinese medicine is to diagnose properly and treat
the patient with the correct herbs so as not to consume body
fluids or disturb electrolyte balance. Food accumulation may
be due to stomach deficiency so the practitioner may add other
herbs such as Codonopsis to tonify the stomach energy so the
food could descend properly through the digestive
tract.
Breathing and Abdominal Excercises
While the
patient is undergoing the behavior modification program and is
successfully losing weight, it is a good idea to incorporate a
set of deep breathing and abdominal exercises that utilize the
acupuncture meridians or energy lines on the body to stimulate
relaxation and digestion. If we practice deep abdominal
breathing while lying down for a few minutes in the morning
before we arise, we will not only take in more oxygen but will
stimulate the stomach, spleen, kidney ,and reproductive energy
lines that are all located on the center of the torso
.
Digestion will be improved and all those organs will
function more effectively. We will also start the day with
more energy and clarity. Another method of stimulating these
same organs in the stomach region is the abdominal finger
pressure massage that follows the direction of the large
intestines. This massage may also be performed in bed in the
morning and evening and will gently stimulate all the points
on the central torso and will not only encourage proper
digestion but will foster homeostasis or the harmonious
balancing of the hormone and endocrine systems of the
body.
Pressure Points
Last but not least, three
pressure points on the body may be stimulated daily for two
minutes each that will promote the general health as well as
aid digestion, elimination and relaxation. These points are:
Large Intestines 4 (HEGU); Pericardium 6 (Neiguan); and
Stomach 36 (Zusanli). The points should be pressed with strong
continuous pressure for approximately two minutes each and may
be said to comprise a self-healing treatment.
While no
guarantee may be given for acupuncture treatments for weight
loss, the self-motivated patient who will take the time to
practice most of the things outlined here will most likely be
pleased with the results that she finds within a reasonable
amount of time.
For additional information: contact
Carol Letner with MoveNQi Acupunture and Bodywork ...for a new
level of
wellness.
