Weight Loss

Acupuncture is very beneficial in the treatment of weight loss. Clinically, the universally accepted measure of obesity and overweight is by Body Mass Index (BMI) which is your weight in kg divided by the square of your height in meters. In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) made the following classifications:

• if your BMI ≥ 25, you are overweight
• if your BMI ≥ 30, you are mildly obese
• if your BMI > 40, you are morbidly obese.

Research has shown that acupuncture has an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestion and energy metabolism. All of which can help to control the sensation of fullness, to suppress appetite to avoid binge eating and excessive snacking and to reduce anxiety.

For weight control, auricular (ear) acupuncture is a very common and effective therapy especially when combined with regular body acupuncture. The auricular acupoints have more emphasis on the neurological function of the body associated with appetite and digestion. For example, auricular acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve, which functions to:

1) increase the tone in the smooth muscles of the stomach which promotes the sensation of fullness;

2) raise serotonin levels which suppresses appetite and over-consumption of food.

The body acupoints are chosen based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differentiation. From the TCM perspective, the main organ systems involved in the etiology of overweight/obesity are spleen and stomach. The spleen controls the muscles and functions to transform and transport food and water. The function of the stomach is to receive and breakdown food. When there is a disharmony or imbalance in these organ systems, it will impede on the function of the spleen and stomach from proper digestion and metabolism and even cause excessive hunger.

The etiology of overweight/obesity in TCM is divided into 2 different patterns:

1) Excess Pattern (phlegm-dampness or phlegm-heat);

2) Deficiency Pattern (Spleen/Stomach Qi Deficiency or Primary Qi Deficiency).

Each of these patterns manifest with very different signs and symptoms which is differentiated by the practitioner by taking into consideration your age, diet, emotions, digestion, lifestyle, family medical history and accompanying signs and symptoms. Once a syndrome is determined, the practitioner will select a treatment plan appropriate for the individual. One course of treatment may take about 2 months of 2-3 sessions per week, in conjunction with a regular regimen of exercise and a healthy diet to reach your ideal BMI range.