Tiny Silver Needles for Weight Loss
Weight loss has become increasingly urgent as temperatures rise, because excess fat is no longer concealable. Passive approaches involve covering up completely—akin to enduring 24-hour saunas. Leaving aside discomfort, who among women would willingly miss this prime season to showcase themselves?
Years ago, with the emergence of acupuncture-based weight loss, many women dissatisfied with their figures voluntarily sought acupuncture, trusting in traditional Chinese medicine. Hospital acupuncture departments saw a surge in young female patients every summer—most came specifically for acupuncture weight loss. Alongside, beauty salons and weight-loss centers began offering acupuncture programs, though possibly lacking the technical expertise of hospital practitioners, they still attracted interest.
Can tiny silver needles truly work magic? Journalist recently interviewed Dr. Zhang Zhongcheng, Deputy Director of the Acupuncture Department at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
[Special Guest]
Dr. Zhang Zhongcheng, Deputy Director of the Acupuncture Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Regulation of Spleen and Stomach Balance
Dr. Zhang has long dedicated himself to acupuncture research. He believes, medically speaking, true obesity (for Asians, BMI >23.9 indicates overweight, >25 indicates obesity) is a disease. Acupuncture weight loss fundamentally treats underlying imbalances—correcting disordered physiological states. He explains obesity is a form of imbalance—of yin-yang and organ functions. Using small silver needles targeting primarily the Spleen and Stomach meridians, acupuncture stimulates the body to improve common symptoms in obese individuals: excessive appetite, poor metabolism, and impaired excretion—thus regulating dysfunctional organ systems. After treatment, most patients report reduced appetite, improved gastrointestinal function, and better mental state.
Dr. Zhang emphasizes acupuncture fundamentally regulates food intake and output. By stimulating meridians, it reduces excessive appetite, improves digestion and absorption, and enhances metabolic efficiency. When intake decreases and elimination increases, fat naturally diminishes.
Best Time for Acupuncture Weight Loss: Summer
With summer arriving, more people come to the acupuncture department for weight loss. Ms. Liu lies on the treatment table preparing for her second week of acupuncture. When the doctor inserts the tiny silver needles into her forearm, she exclaims: “It tingles!” Aching, numbness, heaviness, and distension are normal responses to acupuncture, indicating acupoint stimulation. After 20 minutes, Ms. Liu walks out of the room.
Regarding optimal timing for acupuncture weight loss, Dr. Zhang says it can be done year-round, but summer offers enhanced benefits. From a TCM perspective, summer’s external yang energy is strong, making it easier to correct internal imbalances compared to colder seasons.
He explains acupuncture mainly regulates the spleen and stomach—both central to metabolism. Obese individuals typically have phlegm-damp constitution. Summer allows warming and supplementing the spleen and kidney yang, embodying “harmony between man and nature,” yielding superior results. Additionally, heat promotes metabolism, and combined with acupuncture, helps eliminate phlegm-damp, improving obesity at the constitutional level.
Seek Acupuncture Weight Loss at Reputable Hospitals or Institutions
Acupuncture is not a simple act of sticking needles. Some beauty salons lack certified practitioners trained in formal acupuncture education. Even if staff have undergone training, sterilization protocols and needle replacement practices often fall short of hospital standards, risking cross-infection and wound contamination.
For acupuncture weight loss, besides conventional body needles, ear acupuncture, plum blossom needles, and water acupuncture can also be integrated. Only trained, experienced professionals know how to combine various acupuncture techniques and simultaneously address overall and localized weight reduction. (Reporter Liang Yuyu, Communications Officer Wu Yuantuan)