In Chinese medicine, weight gain is considered a language of the body, indicating one is no longer in good health. This article explores how Chinese medicine can assist in weight loss.
Chinese medicine has the particularity of always seeking to maintain balance in the body.
How? By searching for the causes that can lead to the appearance of a disorder or pathology.
This is why any consultation aimed at weight loss begins with establishing an assessment.
This assessment will help determine the various possible causes of weight gain. Of course, having an unbalanced diet is one of the determining factors, but each case is different and can be explained based on various causes.
Slow metabolism
With a sluggish metabolism, the body's ability to expel toxins through urine and feces is compromised. Consequently, in a slow metabolism, this natural detoxification process is not efficiently carried out. This leads to the body storing toxins instead of eliminating them. Paradoxically, some individuals may consume very little food, which further exacerbates the issue. In such cases, the reduced intake of nutrients results in even less energy available for detoxification.
This "energy deficit" can originate from the kidneys or the spleen, so it's essential to conduct an energy assessment beforehand. A sluggish metabolism can be constitutional, result from poor lifestyle habits, or stem from overexertion.
Emotional Overload
Emotions have an impact on weight gain. It is not uncommon for a grieving person to see an increase in weight even if they may not be eating more than usual. Emotions can disrupt the flow of energy in the organs and affect bodily energy. Therefore, we aim to restore both emotional and bodily energies, which are interdependent.
Burning Food
We can compare what we eat to a log that will burn more or less quickly depending on the heat generated by our 'digestive fire' (our stomach). In other words, some people will quickly burn through the food, while others will, on the contrary, take a long time to digest them.
It might be assumed that people who burn calories rapidly are leaner, but in actuality, this process can strain the body. Over time, weight gain can become a possibility. Depending on the circumstances, it may be essential to either reduce the heat in the stomach or, alternatively, boost it.
Fatigue or Stress
Some individuals love their lives but exhaust themselves unknowingly through excessive action. These people live in a perpetual state of breath-holding, which results in blocking their energy and, therefore, their digestion. The issue is that the digestive system will act unpredictably, such as directly excreting nutrients into the body's waste instead of assimilating them.
In Chinese medicine, individuals who need to lose weight are not subjected to a diet, but rather to a dietary reform program. The goal is to learn how to eat well without feeling deprived, which will help maintain a healthy weight in the long term. Of course, the dietary program will be tailored based on the amount of weight to be lost and individual characteristics. For instance, considering the example of stomach heat, a person who tends to feel warm will be advised to avoid chilli and ginger, and instead, mint green tea will be recommended.
Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Auriculotherapy
The fundamental principle of acupuncture is to restore the balance between yin and yang energies within the body by stimulating the organs that require attention and promoting the smooth flow of energy. For instance, specific acupuncture points can address issues like water retention, assisting the spleen in moderating excessive moisture production. Acupressure offers another method to activate certain points, especially useful during intense cravings, by applying finger pressure between the upper lip and the base of the nose. Additionally, auriculotherapy targets specific points on the ears for stimulation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Weight Loss: What Were the Findings?
A study carried out at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea, and published in the journal "Acupuncture in Medicine" (1), has provided evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in promoting weight loss. In this research, 91 overweight adults were divided into three groups: a placebo group, a group receiving "single-point acupuncture," and a group receiving "five-point acupuncture on the outer ear." The outcome? Participants in the first group discontinued due to difficulties in controlling their hunger. The second group saw a 5.7% reduction in their BMI (2)(Body Mass Index), while the third group exhibited a 6.1% decrease in BMI along with a reduction in waist circumference. It's important to clarify that these findings do not apply to cases of morbid obesity.
It is also important to emphasize the role of the therapist in maintaining the individual's motivation. The focus is on establishing a climate of trust between the two parties so that the person does not feel judged, but rather experiences a lightening of their mental and emotional load.
In cases of obesity, a multidisciplinary medical approach is necessary. Chinese medicine cannot, under any circumstances, replace conventional treatments. However, because it is most often free from side effects, it can bring about an improvement in the experience of the condition.
Take care of yourself!
Violaine
Reference:
1- Yeo S, Kim KS, Lim S. Randomised Clinical Trial of Five Ear Acupuncture Points for the Treatment of Overweight People. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2014;32(2):132-138. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010435
2- How to calculate your BMI: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-activity-and-sleep/healthy-weight-bmi-calculator
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