The principle and harm of acupuncture and moxibustion for weight loss

Acupuncture and moxibustion weight loss is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that regulates metabolic function by stimulating specific acupoints. Common adverse reactions include local bruising or slight infection. The main principles include regulating gastrointestinal function, suppressing appetite, promoting energy consumption, improving endocrine disorders, and accelerating fat breakdown. Improper operation may lead to needle sickness, organ damage, decreased nerve sensitivity, skin infections, menstrual disorders, and other hazards. As an external therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion should be operated by professional doctors and strictly follow the principle of sterility.

1. Regulating gastrointestinal function

acupuncture and moxibustion can act on Zusanli, Zhongwan and other acupoints, slow down gastrointestinal peristalsis through vagus nerve reflex, and extend food emptying time. This regulation can reduce hunger, but it may worsen bloating symptoms for those with chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers. Electroacupuncture stimulation is often used in clinical practice to enhance the effect, but patients with gastrointestinal disorders should use it with caution.

2. Appetite suppression

Ear acupressure is a common method that affects the neural signal transduction of the hypothalamic feeding center by continuously stimulating the hungry and endocrine points of the ear. Some people may experience excessive appetite suppression leading to malnutrition, especially those with weak constitution who may experience hypoglycemic reactions such as dizziness and fatigue.

3. Promote energy consumption

Acupuncture at acupoints such as Yanglingquan and Sanyinjiao can activate brown adipose tissue, and increase basal metabolic rate by about 15% -20% by increasing mitochondrial activity. However, individuals with hyperthyroidism are prone to sympathetic nervous system overexcitement such as palpitations and sweating after receiving stimulation.

4. Improve endocrine disorder

For obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan, uterus and other acupoints can regulate leptin and adiponectin levels. However, individuals with hormone sensitive constitution may experience changes in their menstrual cycle and need to cooperate with the six monitoring and adjustment plans for sex hormones.

5. Accelerating fat breakdown

Abdominal puncture combined with cupping can promote local microcirculation, activate lipase activity, and accelerate triglyceride hydrolysis. Operating too deeply may stimulate the peritoneum and cause abdominal pain, and those with coagulation dysfunction are more likely to develop subcutaneous hematomas.

During weight loss by acupuncture and moxibustion, keep regular work and rest and eat a balanced diet to avoid severe dieting. Choose a legitimate medical institution for operation, and avoid eating raw or cold food for 1 hour before and after treatment. If there is persistent dizziness, palpitations, or redness, swelling, and pain at the puncture site, treatment should be immediately discontinued. It is suggested to monitor the change of body fat rate every week and cooperate with aerobic exercise to improve the efficacy, but the time of a single acupuncture and moxibustion should not exceed 30 minutes, and the interval of treatment should be at least 48 hours to allow the body to recover.