An Investigation into the Truth Behind 3 Major Traditional Chinese Medicine Slimming Therapies

**3 Major Traditional Chinese Medicine Slimming Therapies**

>

**Truth Unveiled**

>

Combining pharmacology and physics with traditional Chinese medicine therapy can not only awaken the tired bodies of modern people, but also has unique techniques for weight loss that have been passed down for more than two thousand years.

>

Gua sha, cupping, hot stone therapy... these weight loss topics that are hotly discussed in the public are now being explored in real treatment settings.

>

**Exploring the Site: Unblocking Meridians – Gua Sha**

>

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that obese people often suffer from deficiency of both the heart and spleen. Due to lack of exercise and a fondness for rich and fatty foods, the body's metabolism of waste products is impaired, leading to fat accumulation. Gua sha (scraping therapy) can unblock the meridians, enhance the function of the heart and spleen, increase the flow of blood and lymph, thereby accelerating metabolism.

>

**Treatment Scene Reconstruction:**

>

The therapist uses a fish-shaped scraping board to scrape the hands, abdomen, back, and legs in a top-to-bottom and inside-to-outside sequence, scraping each meridian for 3-5 minutes. For areas where no petechiae appear or only a few appear, the therapist will not force the appearance of petechiae. After the petechiae appear, the patient should drink a cup of warm water, rest for 15-20 minutes, and wear warm clothing.

>

**Targeted scraping: Three golden meridians**

>

1. Dieters with insufficient physical strength should scrape the pericardium meridian.

The pericardium meridian is located on the inner side of the arm. People with heavy cardiac loads often experience shortness of breath when climbing stairs. Use a scraping tool to gently scrape the pericardium meridian from top to bottom for 5 minutes each time, applying light pressure so as not to cause petechiae (sha). This can increase heart vitality and promote metabolism.

>

2. Dieters with dry and hot stomachs should scrape their stomach meridians.

The Stomach Meridian acupoints include Tianshu (2 cun lateral to the navel) and Shuidao (3 cun below Tianshu). Scraping these acupoints has a very good weight loss effect for obesity caused by excess heat. The Lung and Gallbladder meridians belong to the excess heat type of the stomach and intestines, characterized by dry mouth and tongue, easy to get inflamed, and constipation.

>

3. For dieters who gain weight even from drinking water, try scraping the spleen meridian.

The spleen meridian is located on the inner side of the lower leg. If obesity is caused by spleen dysfunction, you should scrape the spleen meridian on your lower leg. Some people ask, how can I confirm spleen dysfunction? Spleen deficiency often causes unexplained bloating; even if you've eaten a full meal, you may not lose weight or gain weight even from drinking water. This is caused by spleen dysfunction.

>

**Exploring the Site: Activating Meridians – Cupping Therapy**

>

The principle behind cupping for weight loss is simple: it uses negative air pressure to cause blood stasis on the skin, which then leads to hemolysis. This produces histamine and histamine-like substances that circulate throughout the body with bodily fluids, stimulating various organs and improving the body's metabolic capacity.

>

**Treatment Scene Reconstruction:**

>

The therapist uses the flash fire method. A long pair of tweezers with a small wad of absorbent cotton wrapped around one end is prepared, first moistened in 95% alcohol, then the alcohol lamp is lit. The tweezers are quickly swirled 2-3 times inside the cup, then the flame is removed, and the cup is placed on the selected area. Depending on the patient's constitution and meridians, the cupping time is 5-10 minutes. The entire treatment of the back, abdomen, and lower leg acupoints takes approximately 20 minutes.

>

> **We'll help you find the three most effective cupping areas.**

>

**Most Traditional - Back: Eliminating Excess Fat All Over the Body**

>

The back has many acupoints; cupping along the bladder meridian can dispel cold from the body and boost metabolism. Cupping along the spine is the most effective.

>

**Fastest Method – Abdomen: Reduce Belly Fat and Flatten Stomach**

>

Acupoints on the abdomen, such as Zhongwan and Tianshu, can regulate obesity caused by gastrointestinal dysfunction and its "byproducts" (such as constipation and edema). Tianshu, located three finger-widths to the left and right of the navel, is a key acupoint for reducing belly fat.

>

**The most fundamental approach-Lower limbs: Regulating and reducing swelling**

>

Most acupoints located on the lower limbs are related to the stomach and intestines. Common acupoints for slimming legs, such as Liangqiu, Zusanli, and Sanyinjiao, can regulate the stomach and intestines. Massaging these acupoints daily can help with overall weight loss.

>

**The Principle of Cupping Therapy for Weight Loss**

>

**The suction effect helps to promote the flow of Qi.**

>

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the greatest effect of cupping is to unblock the meridians and regulate qi and blood. Through the suction effect of cupping on acupoints, it guides the distribution of "qi", which can invigorate the functions of weakened organs and achieve the purpose of fitness and body shaping.

>

> **The production of histamine and histamine-like substances regulates the endocrine system.**

>

Modern medicine believes that the negative pressure created within the cups during cupping therapy causes local capillary congestion and even rupture, red blood cell rupture, and epidermal ecchymosis, resulting in hemolysis. This produces histamine and histamine-like substances. These substances circulate throughout the body with bodily fluids, stimulating various organs, thereby regulating endocrine function, accelerating blood and lymph circulation, promoting gastrointestinal motility, improving digestion, accelerating metabolism, and increasing heat production and fat consumption. Cupping therapy over a period of time can significantly improve metabolism.

>

**Frequently Asked Questions about Cupping Therapy**

>

Cupping is a relatively "strong" method of weight loss in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Who is not suitable for this method?

>

**A:** Just remember: Cupping can be used to treat dampness, heat, and fire in the body, but it should only be done when you are certain that these three elements are excessive. People with weak constitutions or poor immunity should not try it. Cupping is not recommended after overeating, excessive fatigue, or during menstruation.

>

After removing the cups, some skin turned purple, and some turned red. I've heard that different colors represent different medical conditions?

>

**A:** If the skin appears purplish-black or has petechiae, it indicates that the obesity is due to heat toxicity and the meridians are severely blocked. In this case, weight loss methods that focus on strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness should be emphasized. If the skin is red and the condition is milder, it indicates that the body is weak and cold. In this case, the number of cupping sessions should be reduced, and weight loss methods that focus on enhancing metabolism should be chosen.

>

What dietary precautions should be taken when using cupping therapy to lose weight?

>

**A:** The biggest concern after cupping is exposure to cold. Therefore, cold drinks, cold herbal teas, and cold foods should be avoided. After cupping, it's important to consume foods that strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, such as Chinese yam, beef, barley, and fox nuts, to replenish qi and blood and improve the body's ability to compensate for metabolic losses.

>

**Exploring the Site: Warming the Meridians – Hot Stone Therapy**

>

Because some stones have high energy-concentrating and conductive properties, when a hot stone is rolled on acupoints on the skin, it can transmit heat energy to deep into the body. Its heat energy can even reach 2 to 5 centimeters into the sebum layer, effectively softening and breaking down fatty tissue.

>

**Treatment Scene Reconstruction:**

>

Before the hot stone therapy, the client needs to shower to open their pores. The therapist then places the stones in a heat lamp with essential oils and herbs, and heats them for about 15 minutes. Afterward, the warm stones are placed on a towel and, once they reach a suitable temperature, are placed on the client's back, waist, and legs. The therapist then uses the stones to perform acupressure, pushing, and pressing massages. The entire treatment lasts about one hour.

>

**Advantages of Hot Stone Therapy**

>

**1. No burden**

>

Hot stone therapy is a popular treatment method, its biggest advantage being its gentle nature. Compared to scraping and cupping, hot stone therapy has fewer contraindications. Aside from being unsuitable for sensitive skin, it can be applied continuously to the whole body and is accompanied by warm drinking water.

>

**2. Many Benefits**

>

Depending on the properties of the stone and the medications used, the purpose of hot stone therapy can be quite diverse. Using jade, which releases trace elements such as zinc, magnesium, copper, selenium, and chromium, can regulate the body's acid-base balance, achieving beauty and skincare effects. Adding various essential oils can also provide aromatherapy and stress-relieving benefits.

>

**3. Improve overall**

>

On a small scale, hot stone therapy can eliminate cellulite (orange peel skin) and guide the drainage of water from edematous areas. On a larger scale, it can inhibit overactive internal organs such as the stomach or stimulate overly sluggish internal organs such as the intestines. By stimulating the nervous system, it normalizes the endocrine system, thus providing comprehensive improvement for obesity.

>

**Comparison of the coefficients of traditional Chinese medicine weight loss therapies**

>

Gua Sha

Time required: Approximately 20 minutes

Price: 15-35 yuan (based on health-promoting gua sha oil)

Required frequency: No more than 3 times a month, with each session spaced approximately 5 days apart.

Contraindications: Not suitable for those with sensitive skin, severe anemia, varicose veins, or during menstruation.

Which type of obesity is this applicable to: obesity caused by a preference for oily and greasy foods and a constitution prone to heat?

>

Cupping therapy

Time required: Approximately 40 minutes

Price: 15-45 yuan

Frequency required: Depends on the course of treatment, generally once every other day.

Contraindications: Cupping is not recommended for individuals with skin diseases, loss of muscle elasticity, or during menstruation.

Which type of obesity is this suitable for: obese individuals with excessive appetite and damp-heat in the spleen and stomach?

>

**Hot Stone Therapy**

Time required: 1-2 hours

Price: 150-300 yuan

Required frequency: once every two weeks

Contraindications: Not suitable for those with a severe cold, fever, or during menstruation.

Which type of obesity is this applicable to: Obesity caused by problems with the nervous or endocrine systems?

>

Other Traditional Chinese Medicine Slimming Therapies

>

**Ear Acupressure Weight Loss Method:**

>

The treatment primarily uses acupoints on the ear, such as those related to the mouth, spleen, lungs, heart, shenmen, and endocrine system, supplemented by acupoints like vagus root, sympathetic nerve, and large intestine. After disinfection, press needles are inserted into the ear acupoints and secured with adhesive tape. The ear is rich in blood vessels, and stimulating the nerves in the triangular fossa, in particular, can help regulate metabolic imbalances. Stimulating the vagus nerve, in particular, can affect insulin levels and suppress appetite, thus achieving weight loss.

>

**Ear Acupressure Therapy:**

>

Auricular acupressure can regulate various metabolic functions of the body, promote fat breakdown, and achieve the goal of weight loss and lipid reduction. After acupressure, gastrointestinal motility is inhibited, and gastric acid secretion is suppressed, thereby reducing hunger. A course of auricular acupressure therapy typically lasts 10 days. For individuals sensitive to this therapy, a course of treatment can result in a weight loss of approximately 5 kilograms.

>

Moxibustion weight loss therapy:

>

This is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that uses burning moxa sticks to apply heat to acupoints on the body. For obesity, moxibustion can regulate endocrine balance and replenish Qi in the abdomen. Selecting specific acupoints (such as the abdomen and Zusanli) can effectively alleviate some obesity-related complications, such as constipation, insomnia, and indigestion.