26. Acupuncture Weight Loss Method (Part 3): Differentiation of Syndromes, Selection of Acupoints, and Treatment

Acupuncture prescription 14

1. Acupoints: Heart, Spleen, Heart Shu, Shenmen, Yinbai.

2. Indications: Obesity due to deficiency of heart and spleen qi (simple obesity).

Symptoms may include obesity, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath upon exertion, intolerance to heat and cold, abdominal distension, constipation or diarrhea, pale and enlarged tongue, and a weak and feeble pulse.

3. Location: The Heart Point is located in the center of the concha cavity. The Spleen Point is located below and behind the disappearance of the crus of the helix, close to the edge of the antihelix. The Heart Shu Point is located 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra. The Shenmen Point is located in the depression on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon at the ulnar end of the wrist crease. The Yinbai Point is located 3 mm lateral to the nail corner on the medial side of the big toe.

4. Procedure: Auricular acupoints are implanted with needles or vaccaria seeds, secured with adhesive tape, and the patient should press the auricular points 3 times daily, changing the needles every 5 days. Six treatments constitute one course. Body acupoints are treated every other day, with needles retained for 20 minutes each time. Twelve treatments constitute one course. Moxibustion is applied to the Yinbai acupoint. Deep needling is used, employing the tonifying technique. Auricular acupoint implantation and body acupoint acupuncture are performed simultaneously.

5. Explanation: Derived from Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (1) 4, 1989.

Measurements of blood glucose and glycemic hormone levels before and after treatment revealed that acupuncture can restore fasting blood glucose and glycemic hormone levels to normal, promote fat metabolism and consumption, and inhibit the conversion of glucose into fat, thereby achieving a weight loss effect.

In clinical treatment, for menstrual disorders, add endocrine and kidney points to ear acupoints and add Diji and Xuehai points to body acupoints; for obese patients from childhood, add kidney points to ear acupoints and add Shenshu and Sanyinjiao points to body acupoints; for postpartum obese patients, add endocrine points to ear acupoints and add Shimen and Ququan points to body acupoints.

Acupuncture prescription 15

1. Acupoints: Qihai, Guanyuan, Zusanli, Pishu, Weishu, Shenshu.

2. Indications: Obesity due to deficiency of both spleen and stomach (secondary obesity).

Symptoms include obesity, especially in the face and neck; muscle relaxation; puffy face; fatigue; poor appetite; abdominal distension; shortness of breath; and a deep, thready pulse.

3. Location: Qihai (CV6) is on the anterior midline, 5 cm below the navel; Guanyuan (CV4) is 10 cm below the navel. Zusanli (ST36) is 10 cm below the knee, one finger-width lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. Pishu (BL20) is 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. Weishu (BL21) is 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra. Shenshu (BL23) is 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

4. Procedure: For moderate stimulation, moxibustion can be added, once daily or every other day.

5. Precautions: Patients should eat less fatty and sweet foods and maintain a balance between work and rest.

6. Explanation: Derived from "Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapeutics" edited by Qiu Maoliang.

Acupuncture prescription 16

1. Acupoints: External nose, lung, Neiting, Quchi, Shangjuxu.

2. Indications: Obesity due to heat accumulation in the stomach (simple obesity).

Symptoms include obesity, excessive hunger, increased appetite, intolerance to heat, and a strong pulse.

3. Location: External nose is located in the center of the outer side of the tragus; Lung point is located in the concha cavity; Heart point is located in the center of the concha cavity, above, below, and behind it, forming a horseshoe-shaped area; Inner court is located at the end of the crease between the 2nd and 3rd toes on the dorsum of the foot; Quchi is located at the end of the elbow crease when the elbow is bent; Shijuxu is located 21 cm below the lower outer edge of the scapula.

4. Procedure: Auricular acupoints are implanted with shovel needles or 1. Seeds without variegation. The needles are fixed with adhesive tape. The patient presses the needles 3 times a day and changes them every 5 days. 6 times constitutes 1 course of treatment. Body acupoints are needled once every other day, with the needles retained for 20 minutes each time. 12 times constitutes 1 course of treatment. The needles are needled deeply using the reducing method.

5. Explanation: Derived from Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (1) 4, 1989.

An observation of 44 patients with simple obesity, measuring their fasting blood glucose, adrenaline, and cortisol levels before treatment, revealed that acupuncture not only lowered fasting blood glucose to normal levels but also restored the levels of blood glucose-increasing hormones adrenaline and cortisol to normal. These results indicate that acupuncture can restore glucose metabolism and glucose-regulating hormones to normal levels. Adrenaline and cortisol promote the mobilization of fat from fat stores, weakening the normal high insulin levels' inhibition of fat breakdown and promotion of glucose conversion to fat to normal levels. The ultimate effect of both inevitably leads to a minimally invasive obesity effect. The experiment also found that acupuncture can increase sympathetic nerve excitability, enhancing the secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla and cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Increased concentrations of adrenaline, cortisol, and noradrenaline promote the breakdown of body fat, followed by oxidation and heat production, consuming body fluids and resulting in a weight-loss effect.

Acupuncture prescription 17

1. Acupoints: Abdomen, Lung, Endocrine, Mouth. Additional acupoints: Sympathetic, Large Intestine, Shenmen, Rectum.

2. Main indications: Obesity of all types.

3. Location: Liver point is located above and behind the disappearance of the crus of the helix. Lung point is located in the concha cavity, above, below, and behind the Heart point (center of the concha cavity), forming a horseshoe-shaped area. Endocrine point is located in the posteroinferior part of the external auditory canal, near the intertragic notch. Mouth point is located on the posterior wall immediately close to the opening of the external auditory canal. Sympathetic point is located at the junction of the inferior crus of the antihelix and the medial side of the helix. Large intestine point is located in the anterior 1/3 of the upper part of the crus of the helix. Shenmen point is located at the bifurcation of the superior and inferior crus of the antihelix. Rectum point is located at the beginning of the helix, near the supratragic notch.

4. Procedure: Strictly disinfect the area, use an intradermal needle for insertion, change the needle every 3 days, apply pressure 5-8 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time. Alternatively, you can use Vaccaria seeds for pressure.

5. Explanation: Derived from Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (4) 166, 1989.

Based on the theory of mutual restraint and counteraction among the Five Elements, the Liver and Lung acupoints on the ear are selected as the main points. Liver (Wood) restrains Spleen, while Lung (Metal) counteracts Spleen; therefore, an excess of Liver (Wood) and Lung (Metal) can inhibit Spleen's function of transformation and transportation, restoring it to normal. Endocrine acupoints can regulate endocrine disorders, and sympathetic acupoints can regulate excesses and deficiencies in digestive function. For constipation, the Large Intestine and Rectum acupoints are added. For restlessness, Shenmen is added. Clinical verification shows that this combination of acupoints is indeed effective in treating obesity.

Typical Case: Li ×, female, 17 years old, height 150 cm, weight 60 kg. She had been obese since childhood with an excellent appetite, consuming 200 grams of rice per meal. Her parents frequently advised her to control her diet, but to no avail. She experienced dizziness and weakness when not eating. Her tongue was normal, and her pulse was deep. She was diagnosed with simple obesity. Auricular acupuncture was applied to the liver, lung, sympathetic, shenmen, and mouth acupoints. On the 5th day of treatment, her appetite decreased to 100 grams per meal. She felt lighter and experienced no dizziness, weakness, or other discomfort. After one month of treatment, her weight dropped to 50 kg.

Acupuncture prescription 18

1. Acupoints: Kidney, Endocrine, Shenshu, Sanyinjiao, Fuliu.

2. Main treatment: Obesity due to Yin deficiency (simple obesity)

Symptoms may include obesity, dizziness and tinnitus, insomnia and excessive dreaming, weakness in the lower back and knees, night sweats, seminal emission in men, scanty menstruation in women, red tongue with little coating, and thready and rapid pulse.

3. Location: The Kidney Point is located at the middle 1/3 of the lower edge of the antihelix. The Endocrine Point is located in the concha cavity, between the external auditory canal opening and the intertragic notch, below the Triple Energizer Point. The Kidney Shu Point is located below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, 5 cm lateral to the midline. The Sanyinjiao Point is located 10 cm above the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the tibia. The Fuliu Point is located 6 cm above the medial malleolus.

4. Procedure: Auricular acupuncture needles or Vaccaria seeds are embedded and fixed with adhesive tape. Patients should press the auricular acupuncture points 3 times daily, changing the needles every 5 days. One course of treatment consists of 6 sessions. Acupuncture at body acupoints is performed every other day, with needles retained for 20 minutes each time. One course of treatment consists of 12 sessions. The tonifying technique is used, and auricular acupuncture and body acupuncture are performed simultaneously.

5. Explanation: Derived from Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (1) 4, 1989.

Measurements of blood glucose and glycemic hormone levels before and after treatment revealed that acupuncture could lower fasting blood glucose to normal levels and restore glucose metabolism and glycemic hormone levels to normal. Acupuncture can also promote fat metabolism and inhibit the conversion of glucose into fat, thus achieving a weight loss effect.

In clinical treatment, for those with hyperphagia, add external nose to ear acupoints and Neiting to body acupoints; for those with palpitations and shortness of breath, add heart and lung to ear acupoints and Shenmen and Neiguan to body acupoints; for those with constipation, add large intestine to ear acupoints and Tianshu and Zhigou to body acupoints; for those with oliguria, add urethra to ear acupoints and Shuifen and Yinlingquan to body acupoints; for those with menstrual disorders, add endocrine and kidney to ear acupoints and Diji and Xuehai to body acupoints; for those who have been obese since childhood, add kidney to ear acupoints and Shenshu and Sanyinjiao to body acupoints; for those who are obese after childbirth, add endocrine to ear acupoints and Shimen and Ququan to body acupoints.

Acupuncture prescription 19

1. Acupoints: Kidney, Spleen, Spleen Shu, Kidney Shu, Taibai.

2. Indications: Obesity due to spleen and kidney qi deficiency (simple obesity).

Symptoms include obesity, shortness of breath upon exertion, fatigue, reluctance to speak, aversion to cold, lower back pain, dizziness, tinnitus, abdominal distension, diarrhea, pale and enlarged tongue, and weak pulse.

3. Location: The Kidney point is located at the middle 1/3 of the lower edge of the antihelix. The Spleen point is located below and behind the point where the crus of the helix disappears, close to the edge of the antihelix. The Spleen Shu point is 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. The Kidney Shu point is 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. The Taibai point is located at the posterior border of the head of the 1st metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.

4. Procedure: Embed a shovel needle or Vaccaria seeds in the ear acupoints and fix them with adhesive tape. Press the needles three times a day and change them every five days. Six treatments constitute one course of treatment. Perform acupuncture on the body acupoints every other day, retaining the needles for 20 minutes each time. Twelve treatments constitute one course of treatment. Use deep needling and tonifying techniques. Use moxibustion on Taibai (SP3). Perform ear acupuncture and body acupuncture simultaneously.

5. Explanation: Derived from Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (1) 4, 1989.

The study found that acupuncture can reduce fasting blood glucose to normal levels and restore glucose metabolism and glucose-regulating hormone levels to normal. Acupuncture also promotes fat metabolism and inhibits the conversion of glucose into fat, thereby achieving a weight loss effect.

In clinical treatment, for menstrual irregularities, add the Endocrine and Kidney points to the ear acupoints, and the Diji and Xuehai points to the body acupoints; for oliguria, add the Urethral point to the ear acupoints, and the Shuifen and Yinlingquan points to the body acupoints. For those who have been obese since childhood, add the Kidney point to the ear acupoints, and the Shenshu and Sanyinjiao points to the body acupoints. For those who have gained weight after childbirth, add the Endocrine point to the ear acupoints, and the Shimen and Ququan points to the body acupoints.

Acupuncture prescription 20

1. Acupoints: Shenshu (BL23), Pishu (BL20), Mingmen (GV4), Taixi (KI3), Sanyinjiao (SP6).

2. Indications: Obesity due to deficiency of vital energy (secondary obesity).

Symptoms include obesity, particularly in the arms and thighs, loose muscles, fatigue, aversion to cold, shortness of breath, and a deep, thready, and slow pulse.

3. Location: Shenshu (BL23) is located 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. Paiyu (BL21) is located 5 cm lateral to the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. Mingmen (GV4) is located in the depression below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. Taixi (KI3) is located at the midpoint between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon. Sanyinjiao (SP6) is located 10 cm above the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the medial aspect of the tibia.

4. Procedure: Use moderate stimulation to tonify Shenshu (BL23), Pishu (BL20), and Mingmen (GV4), and moxibustion may be added. Use moderate stimulation to tonify Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Taixi (KI3). Perform once daily or every other day.

5. Explanation: Originates from "Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy" edited by Qiu Maoliang.

This method is used for obesity caused by the inability of the true essence to be transformed into functional energy and thus being consumed. The above acupoint combination can warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys, and promote diuresis and reduce swelling.

Acupuncture Prescription 21

I. Acupoint: Lung.

2. Main indications: Simple obesity (including those who have been obese since childhood and those who have become obese due to excessive consumption of noodles).

3. Location: The Lung Point is located in the concha cavity, above, below and behind the Heart Point (center of the concha cavity), in a horseshoe-shaped area.

4. Procedure: After disinfecting the auricular acupoints, insert the needles and fix them with adhesive tape. Leave the needles in place for 2 weeks. Apply pressure to the needles before each meal or when hungry to enhance the needling sensation.

5. Explanation: Derived from *Foreign Medical Sciences - Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica* (2) 4, 1983. Modern research has found that stimulating the lung acupoint significantly reduces fasting insulin levels in patients, but this reduction is not correlated with weight loss. Under water load, the secretion of gastrin shows a significant increase.