Obesity Management The Oriental Medicine Way

By Hyung Sik Byeon, MSOM, LAc

Virginia University of Oriental Medicine

. http://www.vuom.org/

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

Obesity Management The Oriental Medicine Way

Obesity can be defined as the excessive accumulation of fat, to the extent that health may be impaired.

In the last several decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased substantially, making it a true epidemic and a public health crisis.

About 315 million people worldwide estimated to fall into the World Health Organization defined obesity category with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. Indeed, the obesity epidemic has already leading to dramatic increases in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndromes.

Generally, medication may be recommended for individuals with a BMI greater than 27 with at least one obesity-associated condition who are motivated to lose weight.

Also, surgery may be recommended for individuals with a BMI greater than 35 with obesity-related conditions who are motivated to lose weight and who have not responded to behavioral treatment.

However, more and more people are seeking treatments and management of their weight that are less invasive, and have found a solution in oriental medicine.

In oriental medicine, we define obesity as an imbalance in qi transformation. This means that you use less energy, or qi, than you gain in the form of meals and other supplements resulting in qi accumulation which leads to obesity.

Generally for an obese patient, after assessing their bodily fat oriental medicine practitioners use acupuncture and electro-acupuncture therapy to help bodily fat break down and dissolve.

In conjunction, they then apply acupuncture around the ear to help suppress appetite for food. The final and most effective phase, is taking herbal medicine which will help push excess waste and dissolved fat out of the body.

There are six major rules that a person should abide by to prevent obesity according to practices of oriental medicine

Avoid fast eating. If you eat too quickly, you might eat too much before your brain activates the feeling of satiety.

Avoid salty, hot and food with strong scent. These foods provoke your appetite and make you

eat more.

Avoid food that looks delicious and great in color. They may provoke your appetite.

Do not compare the amount of food you eat with other people. Each person has their own constitution.

Do not consume anything but water for at least six hours before you sleep. Also eating less for dinner compared to morning and lunch is essential.

Eat until you are 80 percent full.