Obesity is a major potential health crisis worldwide today, with negative impacts on physical health and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of obese people worldwide has significantly increased in the past few decades. As of 2020, approximately 3.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight, of which around 1.6 billion are obese.
To address this issue, many people seek various methods to lose weight, including changing dietary habits, exercising, and so on. In addition, some people also turn their attention to traditional medicine, such as acupuncture and moxibustion and massage.
1. Obesity and health risks
Obesity is associated with a range of chronic diseases and health problems, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, dyspnea and some cancers. In addition, obesity may also lead to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, obesity management is crucial for maintaining overall health.
2. acupuncture and moxibustion
acupuncture and moxibustion is a part of traditional Chinese medicine therapy, which has a history of thousands of years. Acupuncture and moxibustion weight loss is to achieve the effect of invigorating the spleen and removing dampness, soothing the liver and regulating qi by adjusting the balance of yin, yang, viscera, and make the body return to normal state, which is relatively safe, green, stable, and not easy to rebound.
In obesity management, acupuncture and moxibustion is considered to have a positive impact through the following ways:
appetite control: acupuncture and moxibustion can affect the nervous and hormonal systems, thereby reducing appetite. Specific acupoints may help control appetite and reduce food intake.
Increased metabolism: acupuncture and moxibustion is believed to activate metabolism and promote fat burning, thus helping to reduce weight.
Emotion management: acupuncture and moxibustion may help manage emotional problems, such as stress and anxiety, which are common in obese patients.
Gastrointestinal function improvement: acupuncture and moxibustion may promote gastrointestinal health and reduce gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation or stomach distention.
Sleep improvement: acupuncture and moxibustion can also improve sleep quality, which is crucial for obesity management.
3. Tuina
Tuina is a massage therapy with a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. It uses the palm, fingers, and arms to apply pressure and friction to promote blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and balance of body energy. During the process of massage weight loss, it can stimulate the patient's meridians, thereby achieving the effects of unblocking meridians and quickly moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements for weight loss. Moreover, massage weight loss has almost no side effects and is relatively easy to accept.
In obesity management, massage has the following effects:
Promote blood circulation: Massage helps improve blood circulation, increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and help the body metabolize fat more effectively.
Reduce muscle fatigue: Obese patients often feel muscle fatigue, and massage can alleviate discomfort, improve physical strength and exercise endurance.
Adjusting appetite: Massage may have an impact on appetite and help control food intake.
Emotional support: Tuina can relax the body, reduce anxiety and stress, and thus contribute to emotional health.
Improve sleep: Similar to acupuncture and moxibustion, massage can also improve sleep, reduce insomnia and sleep disorders.
4. Comprehensive treatment
The most effective method for obesity management is usually comprehensive treatment. This includes improving eating habits, increasing physical activity, regular examinations and acupuncture and moxibustion and massage assistance. Patients should collaborate with medical professionals to develop personalized treatment plans that are suitable for themselves.
Obesity management is a persistent challenge that requires support and efforts from multiple sources. As an auxiliary therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion and massage can play an active role in obesity management. When considering the use of acupuncture and moxibustion and massage, it is necessary to consult the traditional Chinese medicine doctor to ensure safety and effectiveness.