Frequent Dreams, Early Morning Eye Swelling, Cold Hands and Feet: Chinese Medicine Doctor Says These May Be Signs of an Obesity-Prone Body Type

TAIPEI (CNA) – Frequent dreams and insomnia at night, often waking up with slightly swollen eyelids, and consistently cold hands and feet – in the eyes of a Chinese medicine doctor, these may all be signs of an obesity-prone body type. As long as metabolism gradually returns to normal, there is still a chance to slowly form a lean body type that is less likely to accumulate fat.

As spring temperatures gradually warm up, many people are troubled by the body fat accumulated during winter, striving to lose weight before summer. In addition to diet control and exercise, some turn to Chinese medicine clinics for body constitution conditioning.

Zhang Jin-wei, director of a Chinese medicine clinic, recently stated in a press release that the core of Chinese medicine weight loss is to restore the body's natural fat-burning ability by adjusting the balance of internal organs and metabolic functions.

Chinese medicine views obesity not just as calorie intake and consumption but also observes it from the perspective of qi and blood circulation and internal organ dysfunction, often related to the functions of the spleen, kidney, and liver. Zhang further explained that if the spleen and stomach's transportation and transformation functions are insufficient, dampness can easily accumulate; insufficient kidney yang may lead to low metabolism; and liver qi stagnation may affect emotions and eating habits, leading to stress-induced obesity.

Zhang Jin-wei stated that clinically common obesity body types can be divided into three categories: The first type is Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Obstruction, characterized by loose muscles and slightly swollen eyelids upon waking. The second type is Liver Qi Stagnation, commonly associated with anxiety, irritability, suspicion, frequent insomnia and dreams, or a sensation of foreign body in the throat. The third type is Kidney Yang Deficiency, commonly presenting with cold hands and feet, weakness in the waist or knees, decreased male sexual function, and cold uterus with dysmenorrhea in females.

Zhang Jin-wei said that for patients with Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Obstruction, treatment focuses on strengthening the spleen and resolving dampness. Chinese herbal formulas such as Shenling Baizhu San, Pingwei San, and Erchentang are often modified according to individual circumstances, and acupuncture at points like Zusanli, Zhongwan, and Sanyinjiao helps improve spleen and stomach function and resolve dampness accumulation.

Zhang Jin-wei stated that for Liver Qi Stagnation type, treatment emphasizes soothing the liver and regulating qi. Jiawei Xiaoyao San or Chaihu Shugan San are often used as basic formulas, combined with acupuncture at points like Taichong and Qimen to regulate qi movement, improving stress-induced obesity or emotional eating. As for Kidney Yang Deficiency body type, the focus is on warming and tonifying kidney yang. Chinese herbal formulas such as Bawei Dihuang Wan or Zhenwu Tang are often modified, and acupuncture or moxibustion at points like Shenshu, Mingmen, and Guanyuan are used for conditioning.

Zhang Jin-wei pointed out that gradually adjusting organ functions and qi-blood circulation through Chinese medicine and acupuncture to stabilize the body's metabolic function is a key factor in forming a body type less prone to fat accumulation. The rate of weight loss varies from person to person, with a reduction of 1 to 2 kilograms per week being ideal. One should not pursue extreme quick results, and combining it with exercise and diet adjustment can maintain long-term effects.

Zhang Jin-wei suggested that if body constitution conditioning can begin in spring, allowing the body's metabolism to gradually recover, it will naturally be easier to maintain an ideal body shape by summer. Chinese medicine weight loss still requires evaluation by a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner to assess body constitution and implement treatment, avoiding self-purchasing unknown Chinese medicines or online products to prevent allergies or drug interactions.

Zhang Jin-wei reminded that pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and those with severe heart disease or diabetes should proactively inform their medical history and undergo a complete evaluation before receiving related treatments. Those with coagulation disorders, keloid constitution, or who are taking anticoagulants should also inform their doctor in advance when considering thread embedding therapy. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150414

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