Reviewed by Dr Jessica Gunawan and Physician Brandon Yew
Do Weight Loss Pills Work? Try Acupuncture as a Natural Alternative
Published | 6 min read
Weight loss pills may give short-term results, with many side effects. Try acupuncture for a more holistic approach to achieving healthy weight loss.
It’s hard to be surfing the internet without running into weight loss pills advertisements. With Malaysia being one of the most overweight countries in Southeast Asia, it can be tempting to try out diet pills that promise a quick fix to the ever-expanding waistline. But most things that sound too good to be true probably are. Weight loss pills are not without their potential
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a healthy body will achieve its natural healthy weight. The goal is always to maintain a
Weight Loss Pills: How They Work and the Side Effects

Depending on the type of weight loss pills, they can interact with the body in several ways. They may affect the workings of the brain to suppress appetite, by making you feel full sooner and longer. Certain types also intervene with the way your cells use energy. Because of the complex way in which our body works, and the targeted nature of drugs, weight loss pills can have many side effects.
For example, one of the earliest types of weight loss pills caused an uncontrollable increase in body temperature. Other side effects include an increase in blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Gastrointestinal problems like constipation, bloating, diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea can also arise.
Recent developments in weight loss drugs include drugs that are “off-label”.
TCM As an Alternative to Weight Loss Pills
TCM offers a different approach. In addition to
“Chronic work stress, a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits cause Spleen
Acupuncture and Weight Loss
There are many acupoints used in acupuncture to rebalance the body
In addition, acupuncture is believed to regulate hormonal levels and improve the body’s metabolism, thus increasing the rate of calorie-burning.

Acupoints to use
“In terms of the TCM framework, the zu san li (ST36, 足三里)
“On a whole, acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can do. Place fingers or a blunt object like a massage stick at certain acupoints and apply the appropriate amount of pressure. You want to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness, for it to be effective. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least three minutes per acupoint,” Physician Yew
- He gu (LI4, 合谷): Helps soothe the Liver to dispel
Stagnated Qi , aids the Spleen in dispelling Dampness andphlegm .
- Yin ling quan (SP9, 阴陵泉): Propels Spleen qi to dispel Dampness,
phlegm and stagnant fluids. - Feng long (ST40, 丰隆): Propels Spleen qi to dispel Dampness,
phlegm and stagnant fluids. - Tai chong (LR3, 太沖) – Soothes the Liver to dispel
Stagnated Qi , improving qi and fluid circulation.
Acupuncture also has the effect of
Other Factors That Cause Weight Gain

Barring some genetic conditions that make you pile on extra weight, weight gain can stem from a lack of exercise, excessive food intake, and a hectic lifestyle. It bodes well to think about how you eat, how to make exercise enjoyable, and even how your posture is when you’re just sitting.
Consider your diet
Starting with nutrition, be mindful and consume healthy foods and supplements that sufficiently fuel your body.
Natural treatments
“One of the most common issues that we see are patients who love to exercise but find that exercise causes more pain and discomfort. Chiropractic treatment helps by making exercise pain-free, allowing patients to feel good and push their limits without getting hurt. It also helps patients engage the correct muscles and muscle groups when exercising so that they can achieve the body shape they want,” adds Dr. Simon Chen, a chiropractor.
“You may also have poor posture which indicates a lack of core activation. Not activating your core muscle will mean that there is less energy burnt, and more accumulation of the energy as fat
Weight loss pills might work for some, but this approach is often short-lived and doesn’t consider your overall health. It also has many side effects and is likely unsustainable. A more holistic approach like acupuncture and other TCM modalities are more long-lasting. They have fewer side effects, leaving you feeling and looking better and healthier long-term.
References
- Universiti Malaya Faculty of Medicine. 2021. Obesity in Malaysia is a ticking time bomb. [Accessed 5 December 2021].
- Cleveland Clinic. 2020. Appetite Suppressants. [Accessed 6 June 2022].
- Chemical & Engineering News. 2021. New weight-loss drugs could shift the scales. [Accessed 6 June 2022].
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018. Acupuncture on Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Possible Neuroendocrine Mechanisms. [Accessed 6 June 2022].
- Pacific College of Health and Science. 2019. Acupuncture Can Help with Weight Loss. [Accessed 6 June 2022].
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