Article 98: Mechanisms and Principles of Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Acupuncture is a unique treasure in my country's traditional medicine, and it can play an important role in treating obesity. The mechanism of using acupuncture for weight loss mainly involves regulating the body's metabolic and endocrine functions.

Acupuncture for weight loss is indeed effective and has become popular worldwide. It has no side effects, is completely convenient, and is highly favored by obese individuals. To date, the effectiveness of various acupuncture therapies ranges from approximately 73.3% to 89%, and relevant laboratory studies have provided evidence for clinical treatment.

Studies have confirmed that acupuncture can reduce basal gastric activity and delay postprandial gastric emptying. Individuals with simple obesity have higher than normal serotonin levels, leading to abnormalities in digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine functions; acupuncture can lower peripheral serotonin levels, restoring physiological functions to normal. Acupuncture can also enhance the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex and sympathetic-adrenal medulla systems, promoting fat metabolism, increasing heat production, and consuming accumulated fat.

Commonly used acupuncture points include Liangqiu (ST34), Gongsun (SP4), and Neiguan (PC6). Acupuncture for weight loss is particularly effective for obese young and middle-aged individuals aged 20-50. This is because, at this age, the body is more mature and its various functions are more complete, making it easier to regulate metabolic functions and promote fat breakdown through acupuncture treatment, thus achieving weight loss and lipid reduction. Acupuncture can also inhibit gastrointestinal motility and gastric acid secretion, thereby reducing hunger and achieving the goal of weight loss.

During treatment, you may experience reactions such as loss of appetite, thirst, increased urination and defecation, and fatigue. These are all normal phenomena. This is because acupuncture treatment continuously adjusts the body's internal functions, accelerating metabolism and consuming energy, which can lead to these clinical symptoms. These symptoms will disappear once the body regains its balance.

The effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss is related to the season and climate. It is generally more effective in spring and summer, and more effective in autumn and winter. This is because the body's metabolism is more active in spring and summer, and natural excretion is smoother, which is conducive to weight loss. If a patient experiences dizziness, pain, nausea, or other adverse reactions during acupuncture, treatment should be stopped immediately to prevent any danger.

Acupuncture for weight loss is simple, safe, and relatively painless, making it popular among many obese individuals. Besides acupuncture, foot acupuncture and ear acupuncture also have some therapeutic effects on weight loss. Ear acupuncture is particularly widely used. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the ear is closely related to the meridians and internal organs of the whole body. By stimulating different acupoints on the ear, it is possible to regulate the body's functions and treat diseases. Ear acupuncture includes ear acupuncture, ear acupressure, and ear seed acupuncture. The following points should be noted during treatment.

(1) Differentiation of syndromes and selection of acupoints: The most suitable acupoints should be selected according to the patient's clinical characteristics. For example, if the patient has an increased appetite and is easily hungry, the Stomach Meridian should be selected first; if the patient is overweight and has shortness of breath when moving, the Lung and Spleen Meridians can be selected; if the patient has abdominal distension and heaviness in the limbs, the Triple Energizer Meridian should be selected.

(2) Accurate positioning: When finding acupoints for treatment, it is best to use an ear acupoint detector or probe to find the best sensitive point in the ear acupoint area. Then, accurately press the needle into the sensitive point, fix it firmly, and gently rub until there is an obvious feeling of soreness, numbness, distension and heaviness.

(3) Strict disinfection: The entire operation process should be strictly disinfected. All needles and instruments should be soaked in 75% alcohol or disinfectant solution for later use to prevent infection or contamination.

(4) Regular massage: After the needle is inserted, massage should be performed half an hour before meals, between meals, in the morning and before going to bed at night. Massage 15 to 30 times per meal. The massage technique should be gentle and the force should be even.

(5) Increase exercise: During treatment, appropriate outdoor activities, such as walking and jogging, will make the weight loss effect more obvious.

Based on relevant medical literature, several commonly used acupuncture methods for weight loss are introduced:

(1) Select Liangqiu and Gongsun acupoints, needle one acupoint at a time, alternate between them, use the reducing method, after producing a strong needling sensation, then connect the electroacupuncture device for 20 minutes. After removing the needle, use a grain-shaped intradermal needle to insert about 1 cm under the skin at the acupoint at that time, retain the needle for 3 days, 10 times as one course of treatment, and use 3 courses of treatment in a row.

(2) Select the acupoints: Jianpeiquchi, Liangqiupeibiguan, and Liangmenpeiguilai. Use a No. 28 coarse needle (1-2 feet long), press and twist it into the needle, and rotate it repeatedly. When the needling sensation is very strong, retain the needle for 30 minutes. Do this once a day, and 6 times constitute one course of treatment. Rest for 1 day before starting the next course of treatment.

(3) Acupoints are mainly selected from the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming and the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin. Acupoints include Shangjuxu, Fenglong, Neiting, Quchi, Sanyinjiao, and Yanglingquan; combined with auricular acupoints for the Spleen and Stomach. Clinical modifications: For constipation due to intestinal dryness, add Ganshu and Zhigou to the body acupoints, and Lung and Large Intestine to the auricular acupoints; for those prone to hunger, add Zusanli (with strong purging) to the body acupoints; for those who gain weight spontaneously, add Shenshu and Sanyinjiao to the body acupoints, and Kidney to the auricular acupoints; for postpartum obesity, add Ququan and Shimen to the body acupoints, and Pingjian to the auricular acupoints; for irregular menstruation, add Diji and Xuehai to the body acupoints, and Pingjian to the auricular acupoints; for lower limb edema, add Shuifen to the body acupoints and Sanjiao to the auricular acupoints. Retain needles for 20-30 minutes each time, once every other day, for 15 treatments as one course. Auricular acupoints are implanted using Vaccaria seeds or press needles. Instruct the patient to press the pressure point for about 1 minute half an hour before each meal, until the pressure is sore. Change the pressure point every 5 days, and 6 times constitute one course of treatment. Alternate between the two ears.

(4) For obese patients with qi stagnation and dampness obstruction, and spleen deficiency, select Neiguan, Shuifen, Tianshu, Guanyuan, and Fenglong (all with balanced tonification and sedation), Sanyinjiao and Lieque (all with tonification); for patients with strong stomach and weak spleen, and internal damp-heat, select Quchi, Zhigou, Siman, and Sanyinjiao (all with balanced tonification and sedation); Neiting and Fujie (all with sedation); for patients with imbalance of Chong and Ren meridians and disharmony of the Dai meridian, select Zhigou and Zhongzhu (all with balanced tonification and sedation); Guanyuan, Dai meridian, Xuehai, and Taixi (all with tonification). Acupuncture is performed once every other day, with needles retained for half an hour. 15 treatments constitute one course of treatment.

Ear acupuncture for weight loss currently includes several methods such as acupuncture, intradermal needle embedding, hydroacupuncture, electroacupuncture, and acupoint pressing. The most commonly used methods are intradermal needle embedding and acupoint pressing: ① Intradermal needle embedding: Select 1-3 acupoints each time. After strict skin disinfection, insert a press needle or U-shaped needle into the skin of the acupoint with moderate stimulation, then fix it with adhesive tape. Rotate the needles every 4-7 days, alternating between ears. During the needle retention period, press the acupoint with your fingers for 2-3 minutes before meals or when feeling hungry. 6-7 treatments constitute one course. ② Acupoint pressing: After selecting the acupoints, apply Wang Bu Liu Xing seeds, white mustard seeds, or radish seeds to the acupoints with adhesive tape. Press with your index finger and thumb until you feel soreness, numbness, heaviness, or pain, indicating the arrival of Qi. Also press with your fingers before meals or when feeling hungry until you arrive at the Qi point. Change the needles once a week, using both ears simultaneously or alternating between ears. 5 treatments constitute one course.

(1) Commonly used acupoints for weight loss

Lung: Located around the heart acupoint, above and below.

The Triple Energizer is located between the mouth, endocrine system, subcortex, and lung points.

Large intestine: located at the inner 1/3 of the upper part of the helix angle.

Spleen: Located in the lower part of the liver point on the left ear (this area is the liver point on the right ear).

Stomach: located at the point where the helix disappears.

Hunger point (external nose): located in the center of the outer surface of the tragus.

Endocrine: at the base of the intertragic notch.

Kidney: Located at the lower edge of the antihelix, directly above the Small Intestine point.

Brain point: located at the upper edge of the antitragus, at the midpoint of the line connecting the brainstem point and the asthma point.

Mouth: Located in the concha cavity, on the posterior wall close to the opening of the external auditory canal.

Shenmen: Located in the triangular fossa, at the junction of the lower and middle thirds of the upper crus of the antihelix.

(2) Ear acupuncture prescription

①Triple burner, lungs, mouth, spleen, endocrine system, hunger point.

② Lungs, Spleen, Kidneys, Triple Burner, Endocrine System

③ Mouth, esophagus, spleen, stomach, hunger point, endocrine system.

④ Hunger point, Shenmen (spirit gate), Brain point.

Each prescription acupoint should be used in rotation.

(3) Precautions

Ear acupuncture for weight loss is suitable for people with simple obesity, but it is not very effective for secondary obesity or drug-induced obesity. Ear acupuncture for weight loss is not effective immediately; it usually begins to show results after 1 to 2 courses of treatment, and some patients may need more courses to see results. Stubborn obesity requires long-term treatment.

While receiving auricular acupuncture treatment, it is important to control your diet, increase exercise, and maintain regular bowel movements.

Strict sterilization is essential during auricular acupuncture to prevent infection. Acupuncture is prohibited on any injured or inflamed areas of the auricle. If infection occurs at the acupoint, treatment should be immediately interrupted and anti-inflammatory measures initiated. In severe cases, hospitalization is recommended.

Children, elderly patients, those who are physically weak, and obese individuals with hypertension or arteriosclerosis should rest appropriately before and after acupuncture to avoid symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations.