Acupuncture & TCM for Weight Loss
TRIGGER WARNING: Diet culture and weight loss methods
Weight loss can be a sensitive topic, and rightfully so. Our culture has a long history of fat phobic messaging, from “fat free” foods, to extreme weight loss programs and unrealistic advertisements. For decades, we've been told that our bodies are supposed to look a certain way, and that the only way to achieve that ideal was through extreme measures like severe calorie restriction and intense exercise. These things can certainly lead to weight loss, but often not for the long term. The second you go back to your previous routine, the weight returns, leading to what’s been termed “yo-yo dieting.” This approach to weight loss is often rooted in shame, quick fixes, and one-size-fits-all thinking, ultimately making it unsustainable.
With summer in full swing and Ozempic on the rise, I’ve had more questions regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) view on weight loss. Like everything in TCM, there is no magic bullet. There’s no special weight loss point to needle and no Ozempic equivalent herbal formula. Instead the lens is holistic, looking at the individual and the landscape or “constitution” of their body.
WEIGHT GAIN IN TCM
Weight gain, is attributed to “dampness” in TCM, and is a result of an imbalanced “Earth.” The Earth element in the body is associated primarily with the digestive system, but also influences menstruation and mental health. When digestion is suboptimal, it is said that that body does not transform and transport nutrients and fluids adequately, leading to stagnation and accumulation. Dampness is often paired with some level of temperature dysfunction in the digestive system— either too much cold or heat.
Imagine how you experience literal dampness on a cold rainy winter day in Portland, Oregon. Perhaps you feel tired, achy, sluggish, unmotivated. Now think of how you experience dampness in a hot humid Southern state. Maybe you feel sticky, heavy and sweaty. TCM trailblazers observed external phenomena like the dampness we experience in our environment, also takes place inside the body.
COLD-DAMP
Weight gain in someone with cold-damp Earth imbalance is often due to a lack of warmth or “yang” energy needed to move nutrients and fluids effectively. Indications of cold-damp include:
Edema/puffiness around abdomen, legs, joints (especially knees, ankles)
Tendency to feel cold
Difficulty sweating or spontaneous sweating
Sluggishness and fatigue
Prone to sadness, depression, brain fog
Frequent loose stools
Menstrual cramping
DAMP-HEAT
Weight gain in individuals with damp-heat Earth imbalance experience excessive heat in the body. Indications of damp-heat include:
Facial redness
Acne
Oily skin or hair
Foul-smelling or sticky stools
Gas
Belching
Bad breath
Tendency to feel warm or hot
Prone to irritability and anger
Sweats easily
Each damp condition has its own acupuncture points, herbal formulas and nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to restore balance to their Earth system, subsequently aiding in weight loss. That said, both damp conditions benefit from one important intervention:
QI MOVEMENT— Whether it presents as "hot" or "cold," dampness needs motion to eventually be eliminated through sweat or urination. Staying well-hydrated and promoting sweating through exercise or sauna will help improve fluid metabolism and reduce damp accumulation according to TCM.
COMMON CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN
There are many reasons one may suddenly gain weight or have difficulty losing it, and it’s important to consider all angles for a truly holistic view.
Thyroid Health— Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) is a common reason for weight gain
Hormonal Health— Estrogen dominance, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids and perimenopause can all impact weight, especially in the abdomen.
Stress—Chronically high cortisol from stress or trauma can make it difficult to lose weight
Medications— Weight gain is a side effect of many medications
Food sensitivities— Common culprits are dairy and gluten. Sensitivities can lead to bloating and inflammation of the gut, often mistaken for weight gain.
Stagnant lymph— It might not be fat you see, but rather stagnant lymph fluid as a result of surgery, infections, lack of movement etc.
If you’re concerned about your weight, I recommend ruling out some of these factors with testing from a Naturopathic Doctor or Functional Medicine Doctor.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with cortisol levels, hormone balance and digestive health, addressing weight gain from all angles. This approach nourishes your internal landscape for long term health. No shaming, just nurturing.
If you're looking for a different approach to weight loss, try the online course Mend Your Metabolism. Created by an acupuncturist and mother, it combines both scientific insights and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles. You might be surprised to learn that her method encourages eating more, not less!
And of course, I’m happy to work with you on a personalized approach to support your health goals. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Kecia Fox is a Licensed acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at Well Forest Acupuncture in Portland, Oregon, specializing in holistic wellness and chronic pain and stress.