| Excess Weight & Obesity A View From Traditional Chinese Medicine by Zhuoling Ren How does traditional Chinese medicine view obesity and excess body weight? What can traditional Chinese medicine do for these conditions? I am frequently asked about these conditions. More than 50 percent of the adult American population is affected by an overweight problem. Excess weight and obesity are related to many illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, dislipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and much more. Obesity is a chronic disease. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Like Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine believes eating disorders, physical activity, lifestyle depression and stress, as well as hereditary factors and some types of disease, can contribute to an individual's overweight condition or obesity. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies overweight and obesity into mainly three types. The first of these is Excessive internal Phlegm. In traditional Chinese medicine, phlegm is viewed as an important concept. It indicates not only mucus from cough or nose discharge, but it also refers to stagnant body fluid. The excessive internal phlegm manifests itself as excess weight, accompanied by tiredness, body heaviness, chest and/or stomach distension, and in some cases, poor appetite. This type of obesity is generally due to an eating disorder, or secondarily, by some other illness. The second type is categorized as Stagnation of Qi and Blood. An overweight condition and obesity, when accompanied by the following symptoms, are considered a condition of Qi and blood stagnation: irritability or low motivation, emotional disorder, hopelessness, chest or breast fullness or insomnia, a dreamy state, menstrual disorder or skipping of menstruation, and infertility. Some patients might also complain about headaches, This type is due to stress, depression or a hormone disorder. Stagnation of Qi and blood usually slows down the metabolism. In this situation, the emotional condition and the physical condition often affect each other. Overeating to comfort one's emotions, or lack of exercise, also contribute to weight gain. Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney Energy becomes the third category. Overweight and obesity patients in this category often feel exhausted or fatigued. They may experience lower back and knee weakness, shortness of breath or impotence or lost sexual interest. Genetic factors can be one of the main reasons for this condition. It can also be the result of other illnesses, overstress or an unhealthy lifestyle. How does traditional Chinese medicine approach treatment? Acupuncture treatment can be used on all three types. The stimulating points and methods selected are determined by the diagnosis. Each type of patient needs a different focus. Each individual patient needs a specific treatment, because some patients can have more than one type or a mixed type of disorder. Aricular acupuncture can also be applied to weight control treatment. Needling or ear pressure usually can be used. Several herbal formulas are suitable for each type of overweight and obesity condition. However, I suggest individualized formulas for each patient. There are hundreds of Chinese herbs that can function in controlling weight, but specific herbs correspond with the treatment principle we want to treat: to release Qi stagnation, to disperse phlegm, to remove blood stagnation or tonify spleen, or to nourish the kidney. There is a special massage for reducing fat or promoting circulation or for relaxation. This is called tuina massage. It is also designed for different conditions. Sometimes, external herbs can be applied along with tuina massage. We all are aware that diet is essential for weight issues. Traditional Chinese medicine Dietary Therapy considers several factors about one's diet. What to eat is most important: light, easy-to-digest food for those who have a spleen deficiency; and foods that have a warm property and promote movements of the stomach and intestine are recommended for those suffering from internal phlegm. Traditional Chinese medicine dietary therapy not only suggests eating proper foods, but also paying attention to an eating schedule, eating environment, herbs used in the diet, and more. And, of course, there is exercise. Exercise can be difficult for some obese patients. Different types of exercise and different amounts of exercise are applied on an individual basis. Many types of Qi Gong exercises are also helpful. Dr. Zhuoling Ren, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and professor of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, was the recipient of numerous awards for her research work in China. She currently is practicing in Minnesota. For more information, contact her at the China Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 3125 Hennepin Ave., (612) 827-7908. In St. Paul, 1033 Grand Ave., (651) 222-1200 Copyright (c) 2002 Zhuoling Ren |
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