Traditional Chinese Medicine – a better solution for weight loss

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.

Written by Cathy Ding, M.Sc., Ac., C.M.D., May 7, 2012. www.kitchenerwaterlooacupuncture.com

How to choose an acupuncturist and (or) a Chinese medicine doctor?

Traditional Chinese medicine (including acupuncture) as an alternative medicine, like Western medicine, is a science that is safe, powerful and effective, which is literally thousands of years old. It is extremely complex - with over a thousand herbs and over 361 acupuncture points, learning the philosophy of the medicine takes years of dedication and experience. Treatments or prescriptions from different practitioners may render totally different effectiveness to the patient. What follows are some of the most important things you need to know on choosing an acupuncturist and (or) a Chinese medicine doctor.

• Qualification: There is no acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine regulations in most provinces in Canada (except for British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec). If you reside in Kitchener Waterloo area (the regulation in Ontario is in process and is presumably to be finished by the end of 2014) where acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine is not regulated, you may want to check if the acupuncturist is registered with an authoritative professional organization, such as the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CSCMA). Although such a credential does not ensure highest competency, it does indicate that the practitioner has met the minimum standards to treat patients using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

• Education: In Ontario, each acupuncturist or traditional Chinese medicine doctor's training varies greatly. While some have completed more than 4 years of full time study as a must-have qualification to register with CSCMA, others may be practicing after taking only a few weekend courses. The graduates from some Canadian acupuncture and (or) traditional Chinese medicine schools or colleges with 3-4 years full-time program are generally qualified. For places outside Canada, most people believe China has the best acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine programs. This is true considering traditional Chinese medicine is originated from China. However, admit it or not, although some top institutions in China provide world-class education, there is considerable number of universities or colleges offer fake certificates. That is to say, even though the practitioner is a PhD, he/she may not really satisfy the minimum requirements to an undergraduate level program from an accredited university! Therefore, make sure to ask the practitioner about his/her education carefully, and do some research on his/her graduate university before visiting, e.g., ask your Chinese friends if they know that university or not; if it is a Ministry of Education approved institution; or if it can be found on the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page).

• Experience: Like a Western medicine doctor, it is not only mandatory for a fully qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to complete a graduate level program, but it also requires the practitioner to practice at least 2-3 years. In fact, there are many elements in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine which can only be earned through years of clinical practice. There is a common misunderstanding on defining an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor – the older the better. In fact, some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners start practice at their 50’s. So ask the practitioner about the number of years of clinical experience and number of patients he/she has treated.

• Practice Styles: A qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner writes individual prescriptions for each patient based on his or her unique conditions to obtain the best possible effectiveness. Practitioners give prepackaged products indicating their skill and commitment to herbal medicine is not high. Granted, sometimes such a simplified approach is the best, but this method should be the exception rather than the rule. Thus, before taking the prescription, ask the practitioner what is his/her practice style.

• Promise: While acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are often highly effective in treating a wide range of conditions and their symptoms, every person is different and must be treated as such. As in conventional medicine, a treatment that works for one does not necessarily work for all. Any healthcare professional, that makes a promise for a guaranteed cure before seeing the patient in person, or offers a quick fix to all problems, is not offering healthcare. There are no magic bullets or miracle cures for both Eastern medicine and Western medicine. A good practitioner never makes oral or written promise like that before the diagnosis.

• Cost: Since many health conditions require a series of treatment sessions, the cost is a great consideration for many people. The treatment fee is determined by both subjective and objective factors such as practitioner’s confidence, clinic location, qualifications, experience, skill, quality of disposable needles, herbal medicine and other equipment used, acupuncture procedure, and duration of each session, etc. It is important to consider these variables instead of simply comparing prices only.

• Insurance: Most of the insurance companies in Canada now cover all or some of the cost for acupuncture. Note that many insurance companies, especially in places like Ontario, where there are no acupuncture laws, have specific requirements in regard to acupuncturist’s qualifications and designations. These must be met according to their policy in order to qualify for the coverage. For instance, most insurance companies accredit a certified CSCMA acupuncturist, and an acupuncturist with a CSCMA certificate is qualified for an “acupuncturist”, “registered acupuncturist”, “acupuncture specialist”, etc., as appearing in relative insurance terms. Check with your insurance provider for details.

Keep in mind -- Always ask questions to the practitioner prior to, during, and after treatment. Knowledge is a key in self-care, so don't hesitate to make inquiries. Any good practitioners will be more than happy to fully explain the answers to your questions in terms you can easily understand.

Written by Cathy Ding, M.Sc., Ac., C.M.D., Apr. 29, 2012.
www.kitchenerwaterlooacupuncture.com

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Let spring come, and let allergies go!

Spring is coming. Everything is refreshing and blooming. However, unfortunately, gentle spring winds bring millions with seasonal allergies, along with the annual misery of sneezing, coughing, congestion, watery eyes, runny nose, and just overall suffering.

Allergies are generally induced by wind-born tree, grass, or weed pollen during specific parts of the year (especially spring and fall). Western medicine views seasonal allergies as a form of immediate hypersensitivity reaction which occurs when anti-bodies produced by lymphocytes interact with airborne particles such as pollen. On the other side of the world, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views seasonal allergies as related to the Element of Wind, which are caused by an imbalance in the flow of “qi” in the body.

Western medicine only treats the symptoms of seasonal allergies and do nothing to improve the overall health nor prevent future allergies, let alone unwanted side-effects. On the other hand, natural remedies such as acupuncture, not only treats the symptoms, but also helps the body to restore the balance by clearing underlying conditions that cause allergies, so that it enhances the overall wellness. This makes acupuncture a great alternative treatment to combat allergies.

Acupuncture allows the body to heal naturally and improves the way it functions by stimulating anatomical locations on or under the skin called acupuncture points. These acupuncture points are usually stimulated by the insertion of acupuncture needles. In treating allergies, acupuncture efficiently wipes out the patient's acute symptoms and provides relief, while, more importantly, it corrects the underlying immune system imbalance which is actually the root of allergies.

Treated with acupuncture, the patients usually get certain relief during the first visit. After an initial series of therapies, most patients end up significantly reducing or totally eliminating their dependence on allergy medications. With acupuncture as a better way to battle with allergies, let's embrace this spring without any worries!

Written by Cathy Ding, M.Sc., Ac., C.M.D., Apr. 12, 2012.

www.kitchenerwaterlooacupuncture.com