The Lazy Guide to Weight Loss: Using Massage Techniques to Lose Weight

It is that time of year again as we gobble up the big turkey and the two dozen appetizers and desserts at granny’s, whose rule is “no one leaves hungry.” Next thing you know, you have enough leftovers to last until Christmas.

Festivities always come with a food coma and a subsequent few extra pounds.

While the extra wight might seem small, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a trend in obesity in the United Stats continues to rise. Obesity is more common in some states than in others. “Nineteen states and territories have at least 35 percent of residents with adult obesity—more than doubling the number of states with a high obesity prevalence since 2018.”

Over 20 percent of adults in all states and territories suffer from obesity.

The CDC also warned that adults with obesity are at increased risk for many serious health issues, such as, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancers, severe effects from COVID-19, and vulnerable mental health conditions. Some people with severe obesity also find it difficult to breathe, walk, and complete simple daily tasks.

Obesity affects not only your self-confidence due to body shaming but also your health physically and mentally.

Is There a Cure for Obesity?

In Western medicine, physicians can prescribe medication to control appetite, maintain blood pressure, etc., but it is still up to the patients to improve their lifestyles and routines to obtain optimal results. Some weight loss management includes a healthier diet, good sleep hygiene, and implementing a workout plan. Some extremely obese patients might choose surgery.

In Chinese medicine, however, any disease should be treated through the internal system, including metabolism or a blockage.

A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may recommend using massage techniques on various acupoints in the body to speed up the recovery process. Not only can acupressure massage control your appetite and harmonize your body, but it can also eliminate fats and edema in the areas you massage.

Acupressure Massage for Weight Loss

Like the emotional freedom technique or tapping, acupressure is needleless meridian therapy that anyone can do at home.

Traditional Chinese acupressure massage stimulates particular acupoints to achieve the slimming effect, suppress appetite, and adjust health quality.

Massaging acupressure points promotes qi (vital energy) and blood circulation and activates the function of different internal organs.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Dr. He Xia discussed with the Epoch Times the multiple benefits of acupoint massage therapy, “Some acupressure points not only help suppress patient’s appetite but massaging them also realigns body functioning. Acupressure massage stimulates weight loss and increases organ nourishment.”

Dr. He also said that acupressure massage is effective for losing belly fat.

Can anyone do an acupressure massage at home?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, people with the following conditions should avoid acupressure massage:
menstruation
pregnancy
breastfeeding
cardiovascular diseases
pelvic inflammatory disease
gastrointestinal disease
skin diseases
lung disease
surgery in the past three months
infants

Here are some of the acupressure massage techniques the traditional Chinese medicine physician uses to target specific body parts and achieve body fat loss.

Overall Slimming Acupressure Massage

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

Location of the Auditory Palace (SI19), Ear Gate (SJ21), and Auditory Convergence (GB2) acupoints.

Massage method:
1) Directly press the triangular tissue flap in the front of the ear using the index finger and middle finger to stimulate the three weight loss acupoints simultaneously.
2) Use medium pressure to massage the acupoints for three minutes to control appetite and hunger, improve digestion, and improve overall physical wellness.

Specific Body Part Acupressure Massage

Arms

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

Location of the Outer Pass (SJ5) acupoint.

Massage method:
1. Locate the Outer Pass (SJ5) on the back of the forearm, two inches above the wrist, where the gap between the bones is and use your thumb to press and rub the acupoint for a few seconds to stimulate the deeper layers of the muscle issues.
2. Slowly release when you feel soreness, numbness, swelling, or heat in the acupoint.
3. Repeat on the other arm.
4. Alternate each side and massage for 5-10 minutes each time, once a day.

Abdomen and Waist

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

Massage method:
1. Locate the Central Venter in the center of the body at approximately 4 inches above the belly button. Use the index and middle fingers to massage the acupoint in a clockwise direction.
2. Before bed, massage the Celestial Pivot (ST25) using the tip of the index finger on both hands in clockwise circular motions and then counterclockwise 50 to 100 times each.
3. Before bed, locate the Celestial Pivot (ST25) that is three fingers wide on both sides of the belly button. Use the tip of the index finger on both hands to massage the acupoint using clockwise circular motions and then counterclockwise 50 to 100 times each.
4. Locate the Girdling Vessel on the side of the waist, across from the belly button and tap on the acupoint 50-100 times to promote intestinal gastro muscle movement and blood circulation, accelerate digestion, improve abdominal swelling, bloating discomfort, water retention, regulate the endocrine system, increase qi in the facial area, and minimize fat accumulation and constipation. This is particularly effective for slimming the “love handles.”

Thighs

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

Massage method:
1. At any time of the day, locate the Sea of Blood (SP10) acupoint 2 inches above the kneecap and massage with your fingertips 10-15 times and then use your palm to tap the acupoint 10 -15 times to improve blood circulation in the lower half of the body, reduce water retention, and firm inner thighs.

Calves

(Shutterstock/The Epoch Times)

Massage method:

1. Locate the Leg Three Li acupoint 7 cm (2.75 inches) below the kneecap, slightly off-center toward the outer side of the calves and use your thumb to press and rub 15-20 times per minute for 5 minutes. The spot may feel sore and slightly warm. This massage will regulate the immune system, strengthen the spleen, stomach, and qi, unblock the meridian flow of the body.
2. Locate the Three Yin Intersection (SP6) 5 cm (2 inches) above the ankle, on the inside of the calf behind the bone and press firmly with your thumb for one minute  and then slowly release. Do this daily to nourish the spleen, liver, and kidneys. Both acupoints accelerate leg circulation, eliminate wetness and swelling, and unblock the meridians of the calves.

Note: Whenever you perform an acupressure massage on yourself, you should pay attention to how your body reacts and feels, as everyone is different. Be sure to not overdo any massage.

Although acupressure massage is safe and has no side effects, patients should not expect a large weight loss in a short period. Traditional Chinese medicine still focuses on conditioning and nourishing the internal system. So to maximize your beach body results, you should consider better diet options and a new favorite workout routine.