Is the needle effective? Debunking 4 myths about acupuncture and moxibustion for weight loss

Acupuncture and moxibustion have always been a popular way of losing weight for many people. However, there are also many myths about Chinese medicine and acupuncture. If you blindly follow rumors or use acupuncture based on hearsay, the consequences will not be underestimated. It is best to be diagnosed by a professional and qualified Chinese medicine practitioner to determine whether acupuncture is suitable for weight loss and avoid risks.

There are about a dozen acupuncture points that are really effective for weight loss. If too many acupuncture points are used, it will not only be unnecessary but may also cause negative effects. (Photo taken from the Municipal Lianyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic Center)

Medically speaking, obese patients usually suffer from endocrine disorders, which can be improved through acupuncture. On the other hand, Chinese medicine emphasizes analyzing the physical constitution from the perspective of the five internal organs. Obese people are mainly due to problems with the functions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Acupuncture can be used to regulate the internal organs and restore the functions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys to normal.

Here are four common myths about acupuncture for weight loss:

Myth 1: All parts are suitable

The main purpose of losing weight is to reduce excess fat in the body, and acupuncture weight loss is aimed at regulating people with high fat content. Clinically, it has been found that acupuncture is most effective in reducing weight in the abdomen, but is least effective in the arms and calves because the arms and calves are mostly muscles, while acupuncture can mainly eliminate fat. Furthermore, any weight loss method needs to be adjusted gradually, and the response to acupuncture varies from person to person and cannot be generalized.

Myth 2: The more acupuncture treatments you receive, the better the results.

Acupuncture requires professional knowledge and has rules and methods, with the focus on the impact of acupoints on each different part of the body. There are about a dozen acupoints that are really effective for weight loss. Therefore, if you pierce too many of them, it will not only be a waste of time, but piercing the wrong acupoints may also cause negative effects.

Myth 3: Acupuncture is prone to bacterial infection

The needles used in acupuncture are extremely small. Generally, acupuncture causes only minimal trauma to the skin. The normal human body can repair the damage quickly, so it is not a serious problem. It is important to note that you must choose a hygienic and qualified Chinese medicine clinic to avoid using incompletely sterilized needles and causing bacterial infections.

Myth 4: One injection will work immediately

Acupuncture weight loss is an adjustment to obesity, endocrine disorders, etc. caused by long-term bad habits of the human body, which requires long-term repair. Doctors recommend that intensive and intense treatment generally lasts for more than three months. If the patient is severely obese, it may take more than half a year. After the treatment is stopped, as long as you maintain a normal diet, good living habits, and moderate exercise, your weight can basically be maintained for 1 to 3 years without gaining weight again.