During the
recent decades obesity has become an increasing area of concern in Canada. Obesity
increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke,
hypertension, and a variety of other ailments such as joint problems. In fact,
according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002, obesity itself is
recognized as a disease.
Basically,
obesity occurs when a person takes in more calories than he/she burns. According
to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this intangible energy imbalance within
the body is the root of overweight, which is in fact caused by malfunctioning
of the spleen and liver organ systems. In five-element (Wood, Fire, Earth,
Metal, and Water) theory, the spleen is responsible for the proper functioning
of the digestive system, ensuring that the food we eat is transformed into Qi —
the vital substance of life. Disharmony of the spleen leads to symptoms such as
fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool, and feeling of
heaviness, etc. At the meantime, the liver’s job is to keep the flow of the
body’s Qi and blood (as well as emotions) running smoothly. The modern
fast-paced lifestyle and chronic stress can negatively impact the liver’s
ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen
and the whole digestive system to function poorly and decrease the metabolism.
Liver disharmony can also cause some of the “triggers” that lead to cravings
and compulsive eating.
TCM
regulates the body’s Qi flow and corrects the imbalance that causes overweight.
From a TCM perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen
to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the spleen and liver to
rectify the imbalance. By limiting appetite and nervous overeating, acupuncture
provides valuable assistance in the struggle to regain conscientious eating
habits. Once an individual has achieved control of these habits, proper
weight is usually maintained with little effort or external support. Acupuncture
is very effective clinically for excess weight due to over-eating and slow
metabolism, and in most cases it has immediate effectiveness. Based on the
writer’s experience, the maximum weight loss after a single acupuncture therapy
is 2.5 pounds! A more comprehensive therapy includes both acupuncture and
herbal medicine. More effectively, it intends to decreases cravings and over-eating,
promotes better digestion, soothes emotions, reduces appetite, and improves
metabolism.
A growing
body of research supports the use of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in treating
weight loss. A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found
that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight
than the control group. Another study published on May 2012 edition of Obesity
Reviews states that, not like the anti-obesity medication that produce some
side effects, weight loss can be obtained without any side effects using
acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The researchers of this study employ some conventional
parameters in obesity research to verify its outcomes, which include changes in
body weight, changes in body mass index (BMI), changes in waist and hip
circumference, and changes in body fat percentage. Based on solid evidence, they
also confirmed that the relapse of weight gain was more common in the control
groups than in the acupuncture therapy or Chinese medicine groups. As mentioned
above, TCM is a system of treatment that aims to restore the body back to
health and treat any underlying causes of imbalance that may be causing the
weight problem in the first place. This is why this study has shown that the
weight loss from acupuncture and oriental medicine to be of benefit for the
longer term.
