Is acupuncture good for weight loss?

Nov 07, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, acupuncture for weight loss can be effective to some extent, but it is not suitable for everyone and should be used according to individual circumstances and in a scientifically sound manner. For effective weight management, acupuncture should be considered as an auxiliary method, while the core approach should rely on healthy eating and regular physical activity. It is important to seek treatment from qualified medical institutions and licensed practitioners to avoid risks associated with improper acupuncture procedures.

Generally, acupuncture for weight loss can be effective to some extent, but it is not suitable for everyone and should be used according to individual circumstances and scientific methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Acupuncture for weight loss is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles of body regulation. By stimulating specific acupoints, it helps regulate endocrine function and enhance metabolism, thereby improving issues such as excessive appetite and slow metabolic rate. For obesity caused by bodily imbalances or unhealthy lifestyle habits, acupuncture—when combined with proper treatment, dietary adjustments, and exercise—can assist in weight reduction in a relatively gentle manner with minimal risk of severe side effects.

However, acupuncture is not a universal solution. Its effectiveness is limited for genetically inherited obesity or obesity caused by organic diseases. If one relies solely on acupuncture without controlling diet or engaging in physical activity, achieving ideal results will be difficult. Moreover, certain individuals, including pregnant women, those with skin injuries, or people with coagulation disorders, should avoid acupuncture, as improper use may lead to adverse reactions.

For scientifically sound weight management, acupuncture should be viewed as a complementary approach. The foundation must remain healthy eating and regular physical activity. It is essential to seek treatment from qualified medical institutions and licensed practitioners to avoid risks associated with unstandardized acupuncture procedures.

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Where is the Shenmen acupoint located?

The Shenmen point refers to a specific acupoint, which is one of the points on the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin in the wrist area. On the transverse wrist crease, when making a fist or turning the palm upward, a prominent tendon adjacent to the hypothenar eminence can be palpated; this is the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. The depression on the radial side of this tendon is the location of the Shenmen point. Anatomically, the Shenmen point lies relatively deep, situated between the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle.

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What is the precise location and course of the Lung Meridian?

Under normal circumstances, the Lung Meridian refers to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, one of the twelve regular meridians, whose pathways and locations can be divided into a main trunk and branches. The circulation of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian not only demonstrates the internal-external relationship between the lung and the large intestine, but also reflects its regulatory effect on pulmonary and respiratory functions through its distribution of acupoints. It serves as an important basis in the theory of traditional Chinese meridians for explaining the physiology and pathology of the lungs and for guiding acupuncture and massage therapies.