Why Should You Lose Weight?

Being overweight or obese is a proven medical and even social problem. Thousands of people are unhappy due to their weight. Many are discriminated against in society. Obesity is:

The 2nd leading cause of premature death

A disease that affects over 34 million in the U.S.

An imbalance between food consumed and energy expanded

Defined as anyone who is more than 20% over their idea weight

Obesity is the gateway to a host of serious medical conditions, such as; hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, arthritis, gall bladder disorder and diabetes. Individuals who are more than 50 pounds overweight increase the risk of death due to heart problems; strokes are increased by approximately 5%.

Sensible Weight Loss

Weight loss is difficult and involves not only the doctor, but patient, as well. Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture’s personalized weight management program provides a sensible solution if strictly adhered to. Patients cannot expect to lose weight and improve health if bad eating habits and the wrong lifestyle continue. To lose 20-40 pounds, approximately 30-90 days of treatment is necessary. Once started, patients must persist in reaching their goal.

It is strongly suggested that patients reserve and spend time with themselves in addition to becoming active.

Goals For Weight Loss

• Help the digestive system function normally
• Improve glandular affliction to effectively combat obesity
• Help control addiction to foods, sweets, and alcohol
• Improve metabolism and correct intestinal sluggishness
• Help cleanse the body of toxins
• Help provide energy to improve exhaustion and run-down conditions
• Help detoxify and normalize heart, pancreatic, intestinal, respiratory, stomach, kidney and spleen functions

Is Acupuncture Covered By Insurance?

Most insurance companies honor claims for acupuncture treatment. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurance provider. Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture will be pleased to assist in completing and filing insurance claim forms.

Acupuncture treatment is tax-deductible as a medical expense.

OBESITY AND ACUPUNCTURE

What is Obesity?

The most common and avoidable health problem in America today is obesity. In the U.S, one in every four adults is obese. Recently, Science Magazine noted Americans weight 30% more than their ideal weight. Unfortunately, obesity is reaching children and young adults in increasing numbers. Obesity is more than looking bad; it is a disease that can cause significant health problems.

Obesity And Your Health

The body’s normal digestion, metabolism and hormonal activities are seriously damaged with weight gain. Obesity may be caused by side effects to prescribed medication, mental and physical illness, aging or lifestyle (eating the wrong foods at the wrong time, lack of exercise or improper digestion). Poor diet (excessive sweets, greasy foods, and red meat) diminishes the function of the digestive system to cleanse the body of toxins, which can lead to body intoxication. Long term effects can lead to a loss of interest in work, moodiness, irritability, nervousness, bad breath, body odor, coated tongue, sleep disorder, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, angiosperms (cold hands and/or feet), exhaustion and heavy sweating. Other problems due to obesity are additional fat-related disease, poor posture, and premature death.

Acupuncture, auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture), and herbal medicine are the best defense in treating obesity and normalizing the body’s functions. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, obesity is due to a deficiency of bio-energy and dampness of the spleen and stomach. By adhering to the program, patients will not experience the traditional “yo-yo” syndrome and will continue to lose weight.

Six Point Weight Loss

Management Program

The effective weight loss management program consists of the following:

Consultation: A review of the patient’s current condition, past medical history, eating habits, and lifestyle is performed. Based on this, a proper treatment program is made.

Treatment: Electroacupuncture, auriculotherapy, and massage therapies are essential. Nutritional supplements, including herbs, are prescribed to assist in losing weight and improving a patient’s general health.

Ear Pellets: Patients must religiously work with ear pellets to maintain proper therapeutic effectiveness and improve the will not to snack.

Lifestyle Change: Patients are responsible for changing their daily eating habits by adhering to the recommended food guide listed in the following column. When dining out, patients must only order low fat or vegetable dishes.

Appropriate Exercise: Patients must begin a light exercise program consisting of moderate activity at least three times per week (i.e. brisk walk, bike ride, recreational sports, aerobic dance, etc.). Relaxation is the key to success. Physical activity should become a part of a patient’s everyday life.

Cleansing and Special Abdominal Treatment: Intestinal cleansing, detoxification, and strategic fasting are essential (except for diabetics). Special abdominal treatment is important to improving overall health, as well as, in losing weight.

Patients must adhere to the program to succeed.

Food Guide:

What to avoid:

Sweets/Candy/Sugar: candy of all kinds, chocolate, baked goods, ice cream, chocolate milk, milkshakes, etc…

Red Meats/Fats: Beef, pork, duck, hamburger, meatloaf, bacon, ham, sausage, ribs, butter, cheese, lard, margarine, and hydrogenated fats and oils.

Fried Foods/Nuts: Peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, potato chips, French fries, fried meat, fried seafood, salted fish, and salted meat.

Drinks: Alcoholic beverages, sweet soft drinks.

What to Eat:

High Fiber Foods: 2 cups or more of vegetables per day (bean sprouts, soybean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, tomatoes, lettuce, snow peas, seaweed, broccoli, string beans, Chinese winter greens, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, bamboo shoots, green onions, cucumber, turnips, chard, spinach, carrots, and celery)

High Protein Foods: tofu, chicken, fish, or turkey (steamed, boiled, roasted or barbecued), boiled eggs, cellophane noodles, stir-fried Oriental foods, low-fat milk (1-2 cups a day), low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, and buttermilk.

Natural Grains: brown rice (steamed or boiled) rice noodles, barley, red and black beans.

Fruit: 1 grapefruit a day, apples, plums, papaya. Avoid bananas, grapes, pineapple, and cantaloupe.