Weight Maintenance

How to Lose Weight Using Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), obesity is considered an excess accumulation of Dampness in the body. Qi Deficiency and Yang Deficiency have an impact on the Spleen and Kidney functions to metabolize water according to Chinese medicine; these leads to Internal Damp accumulation. Liver Qi Stagnation with emotional disturbances or stress can also cause Qi Stagnation and accumulation of Dampness. For best outcomes using self-care, combine associated Aroma Acu-Sticks® to acu-points, topical remedies, and good lifestyle practices.

Acupressure Points for a Healthy Weight

Learn How to Apply Acupressure Here!

Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 36
Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 9
Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Kidney 3
Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Pericardium 6
Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3

Constitutional Patterns Causing Weight Gain in Chinese Medicine

Spleen Qi Deficiency and Weight Loss

Qi deficiency and Damp accumulation are due to Spleen’s inability to transport water. Spleen controls the muscles and deficiency will lead to flaccid muscle tones. Feeling of heaviness is the combination of weakness of the muscles together with accumulation of Dampness.

Other symptoms include:

Feeling of heaviness in the body – This is indicative of Internal Dampness.
Fatigue - Spleen’s inability to transform food into Qi energy results in low energy.
Perspiration – Perspiring without physical excursion is due to the body’s inability to control the opening and closing of the pores because of Qi Deficiency.

People that tend to gain weight even with little food intake would fall under this pattern. This is attributed to over accumulation of Dampness and fluids in the body interfering with metabolism.

Kidney Yang Deficiency and Weight Loss

In the Yin Yang theory of Chinese medicine, Yang energies are the warming qualities of the body. Possible indications of Kidney Yang Deficiency:

Edema
Clear urine
Lower back pain
Intolerance to cold
Coldness of the arms and legs

Kidney Yang Deficiency is the primary cause of Dampness accumulation in the body as it cannot warm up the Spleen Yang so that it can properly transform and transport fluids.

Liver Qi Stagnation and Weight Gain

Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Stagnation blocks the activities of the Spleen to metabolize and
transport water freely in the body. As a result, Internal Dampness accumulates. Symptoms of Liver constraints include:

Headache
Tightness of the shoulder and neck
Rib tenderness and distension
Irritability, short temper

Stomach Heat and Weight Gain

Prolonged Liver Qi constraints that are left untreated for an extended period of time can lead to Liver Yang rising associated with excess heat in the body. This heat can consume Yin and lead to Stomach Yin Deficiency with symptoms of hunger sensations, food cravings, or sweet cravings frequently throughout the day, even shortly after eating. Other indications of Stomach Heat would include:

Strong hunger
Foul breath
Thirst
Constipation with dry stools

Hormonal Imbalances Leading to Weight Gain

Many women experience weight gain as part of their PMS symptoms, or during menopause. In Chinese medical theory, there is no endocrine system technically. However, Chinese medicine is excellent at addressing all types of hormonal imbalances including peri-menopausal symptoms, PMS, infertility, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS. When hormonal imbalances are treated with Chinese medicine, Liver imbalances and Kidney Deficiency are central and addressed as described above.

Causes of Obesity in Chinese Medicine

Ancestral Qi or a familial disposition to weight gain issues: This is often a genetic disposition to Spleen Deficiency or Kidney Deficiency.
Improper Dietary Habits: Those who eat a lot of greasy or fatty foods, sweets, or refined foods are likely to accumulate Dampness in the body.
Spleen or Kidney Deficiency: These two organs are directly responsible for metabolizing water in the body. When either or both the organs are impaired or deficient, Internal Dampness can accumulate in the body.
Emotional Factors: Prolonged emotional constraints, unresolved anger, and stress create Liver Qi Stagnation obstructing Qi flow in the body and create stagnation, which impairs the Spleen and Kidney’s functions to transport and dispel water. Dampness accumulates as a result.
Lack of Exercise: Insufficient movement of the body leads to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stagnation, which results in Damp accumulation.

Unintended Weight Loss in Chinese Medicine

In today's society, most individuals are trying to trim down; however, weight loss can be an indications of chronic illness or a Spleen Qi imbalance marked by a lack of appetite and/or nausea.

References

Xu, L., Zhao, W., Wang, D., & Ma, X. (2018). Chinese Medicine in the Battle Against Obesity and Metabolic Diseases. Frontiers in physiology, 9, 850. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00850

Zhang, K., Zhou, S., Wang, C., Xu, H., & Zhang, L. (2018). Acupuncture on Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Possible Neuroendocrine Mechanisms. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2018, 6409389. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6409389

He L., Gao X.-L., Deng H.-X., Zhao Y.-X. Effects of acupuncture on body mass index and waist-hip ratio in the patient of simple obesity. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2008;28(2):95–97.

Darbandi M., Darbandi S., Mobarhan M. G., et al. Effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-Calorie diet on the leptin hormone in obese and overweight iranian individuals. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2012;30(3):208–213. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2011-010121.

Han Y. P. Spleen Tune with Acupuncture on Simple Obesity Female Patients with Spleen Dysfunction and Dampness Syndrome. Heilongjiang University Of Chinese Medicine; 2016

Nourshahi M., Ahmadizad S., Nikbakht H., Heidarnia M. A., Ernst E. The effects of triple therapy (acupuncture, diet and exercise) on body weight: A randomized, clinical trial. International Journal of Obesity. 2009;33(5):583–587. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.41.

Yeh M.-L., Chu N.-F., Hsu M.-Y. F., Hsu C.-C., Chung Y.-C. Acupoint stimulation on weight reduction for obesity: a randomized sham-controlled study. Western Journal of Nursing Research. 2015;37(12):1517–1530. doi: 10.1177/0193945914548707.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.