The topic of weight loss has become a recurring theme in our lives. There are many weight loss methods available now, and summer is the perfect time to lose weight. Is acupuncture a good option? Actually, acupuncture is a good choice. By stimulating acupoints, it regulates the endocrine system, ultimately achieving weight loss. Below, we introduce some commonly used acupuncture weight loss methods, hoping to help you lose weight more effectively.

Summer is the perfect time to lose weight, but is acupuncture a good option?

Acupuncture isn't exclusive to summer, but when it comes to the best time for acupuncture for weight loss, summer is indeed a better season for treatment. The mechanism of acupuncture for weight loss primarily involves regulating the body's metabolic and endocrine functions. After needling, it can inhibit gastrointestinal motility and effectively suppress gastric acid secretion, thereby controlling hunger in obese patients, reducing appetite, and correcting the imbalance of energy intake exceeding energy expenditure, thus producing a weight loss effect. Since young adults aged 20-50 have relatively mature bodies and well-developed functions, acupuncture treatment makes it easier to regulate various metabolic functions, promote fat breakdown, and achieve weight loss and lipid reduction. Therefore, acupuncture for weight loss is most effective for obese individuals in this age group.

However, it's important to note that acupuncture for weight loss involves adjusting the body and requires repeated treatments and continuous reinforcement to establish a new state. It's generally recommended to persist with intensive treatment for at least three months (six months to a year for severely obese individuals). It's a gradual adjustment process, and once the treatment is stopped, the weight can typically be maintained for one to three years.

Acupuncture for weight loss doesn't result in immediate weight loss.

Acupuncture for weight loss is not a quick fix; it requires consistent effort. The process can be quite lengthy. Acupuncture weight loss treatment is generally divided into three phases: Phase 1 consists of 1-3 courses of treatment (typically 20 acupuncture sessions per course, once every 3 days). During this phase, patients usually experience rapid weight loss. Phase 2 occurs between the 2nd and 4th courses of treatment. During this phase, weight may stabilize, often referred to as a plateau. In layman's terms, this is the body shaping process, where the patient's waist and hip circumference gradually become more proportionate. Phase 3 consists of 4-5 courses of treatment, during which weight continues to decrease at a relatively stable rate.

Of course, everyone's response to acupuncture is different. Generally, it requires more than 3 months of intensive treatment, and for particularly obese individuals, it may take 6 months to 1 year. Therefore, acupuncture for weight loss is a gradual process of adjusting the body. After the treatment is stopped, the weight can generally be maintained at a normal level for 1-3 years. It can be seen that acupuncture is most effective for those with simple obesity, with even better results for those with acquired obesity (intake exceeding expenditure).

Acupuncture weight loss method

I. Ear acupuncture

Ear acupoints: esophagus, mouth, duodenum, hunger point, endocrine system, brain, stomach.

Procedure: Select 1-2 acupoints each time, and perform acupuncture on both ears alternately. Apply ear acupuncture patches 2-3 times a week. 10 times constitutes 2 courses of treatment, with an interval of 5-7 days between each course.

II. Body Acupuncture (Part 1)

Acupoints: The main acupoints are Guanyuan (CV4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6).

Acupoints are selected based on the syndrome differentiation.

For spleen deficiency with dampness: Neiguan, Shuifen, Fenglong, Tianshu, Lieque, and Pishu.

For damp-heat accumulation: Quchi, Daheng, Zhigou, Siman, Neiting, and Fujie.

For imbalance of the Ren and Yang meridians: Zhigou, Daimai, Zhongzhu, Xuehai, Shenshu, Taixi.

Procedure: The main acupoints must be selected each time, and then 3-4 additional acupoints are added according to the symptoms. The needles are retained for half an hour each time, once every other day, and 15 times constitute one course of treatment, with an interval of 5 days between each course.

III. Body Acupuncture (Part Two)

Acupoints: The main acupoints are Zhonghuan, Tianshu, and Daheng.

Acupoints: Quchi (LI11), Gaohuang (BL43), Hegu (LI4), Neiting (ST44), Sanyinjiao (SP6).

Procedure: Connect the Tianshu and Daheng acupoints to the electroacupuncture device, and then continuously apply electricity for 15-20 minutes. This should be done once a day or every other day, with 10 treatments constituting one course of treatment.

IV. Moxibustion

Acupoints: The main acupoints are Yangchi (GB4) and Sanjiaoshu (BL22).

Acupoints: Diji (SP8), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Mingmen (GV4), Dazhui (GV14).

Procedure: Select one main acupoint and one auxiliary acupoint each time, and perform moxibustion with ginger slices.