“Can you help me with weight management?” I get that question a lot as a Chinese Medicine doctor and coach. The short answer: Yes. I can support your journey toward a healthier body composition—while also helping you feel better in both body and mind. Now, you might be thinking:
“No, really. I just want to lose weight.”
But trust me—you want this whole body-mind health approach. Not only because it feels great, but because it’s often the key to maintaining long-term balance and wellness.
What sets what I’m doing apart from other diet and weight-loss plans?
The answer starts with Chinese Medicine and centuries of successful outcomes. It also aligns with cutting-edge science and the new, evidence-based paradigm on eating and metabolism.
In Chinese Medicine, one of our guiding principles is “always seek the root.” This principle is a major reason for its effectiveness, proven over thousands of years.
As Chinese Medicine doctors, we go after the root of the disease rather than focus on symptoms.
We know that treating symptoms alone will never result in sustained wellness. Sure, a bothersome condition might disappear for a while or even for good. But unless we also address the underlying imbalance, new (often worse) symptoms eventually arise.
In seeking and treating the root of disease, we pay attention to connections and patterns.
Rather than look at each symptom, body system, or aspect of health separately, we take a holistic view. One able to explain why seemingly unrelated symptoms appear in constellation. One able to predict and prevent further progression.
Still with me? Now we’ll get back to that weight-loss question:).
In Chinese Medicine, excess body weight is traditionally described under the pattern known as fei pang, often associated with an imbalance of “deficiency at the root and excess at the branch.” This reflects a system-wide imbalance rather than just a surface-level issue.
This last bit is key: deficiency at the root and excess at the branch.
The specifics – and treatment principles – vary from individual to individual. (Indeed, we have at least five patterns of fei pang, each with its own symptoms and each calling for different herbal support strategies and lifestyle guidance)
In general though, we often see impaired digestive and hormonal functioning with a failure to properly metabolize food and drink.
Disease causes and development are highly variable and usually multi-faceted. Common culprits include:
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A diet poor in vital nutrients
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A diet full of sugar, carbs and/or processed foods
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Emotional states, including chronic stress, anger, anxiety or depression
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Prolonged or recurrent illness
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Under- or over-exercise
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Poor, insufficient or irregular sleep
Identifying and addressing these factors is essential to treating underlying deficiencies and the root of the problem.
Whatever the causes, as a consequence we see “excess at the branch.” Impaired digestion and metabolism lead to accumulation of pathological metabolites, including what Chinese Medicine calls “dampness.”
Dampness takes many forms – some more tangible than others. In general, it denotes stagnation and sluggishness in the body-mind. It’s dirty, wet, heavy, slow and lingering and can manifest on physical and mental-emotional levels.
On a physical level, obesity or excess weight gain is one such manifestation. And because things that sit around too long tend to heat up, sSigns of internal imbalance may also include sensations like warmth or digestive discomfort.
Most mainstream approaches to weight loss totally ignore the “deficiency at the root” part, instead focusing exclusively on draining the branch excess.
This is why such approaches fail.
Sure, they may cause pounds to drop off in the short term. Ultimately, however, they will fail to produce sustained, healthy weight loss. Every. Single. Time.
And that’s not the worst of it.
Approaches to weight loss that ignore root deficiencies and just drain, drain, drain (for example, by "cleansing," cutting calories or over-exercising) will, in the long run, make root deficiencies worse – leading to slower metabolism and an even bigger weight problem.
Now, many clients who come to me wanting to lose weight aren't clinically “obese.”
Oftentimes, they are 10 to 20 pounds over their ideal weight and frustrated by stubborn fat accumulation around the waist or elsewhere. Many are women who watched pounds accumulate post-menopause. Others are women and men of all ages who, despite regular exercise and dieting, can’t keep excess weight off in a sustained way.
Most are frustrated, exhausted and feel as though they’re fighting themselves.
Prolonged efforts to follow conventional “wisdom” by cutting calories, fats and protein; becoming chronic “juicers”; and engaging in chronic cardio and over-exercise have resulted in diminishing returns rather than lasting results.
Some clients experience wellness challenges alongside weight concerns, which may be supported through holistic care and lifestyle adjustments.
But regardless of where a client falls on this spectrum, the fei pang patterns and treatment principles hold true. In other words, there’s usually an issue of deficiency at the root and excess at the branch.
In treating these clients – and helping them support healthy body composition and feel better overall – I focus on the root, even as I simultaneously address branch symptoms.
That’s the only way treatment will work. And by “work,” I mean keeping excess weight and body fat off in a healthy way over the long haul.
How do I do this?
Ahhh....ancient Chinese secret. Not really. But it is an art as well as a science. It’s also a partnership between client and doctor, self and support.
I'm here as a doctor and guide skilled in the synergistic application of powerful tools. Those tools include real-food, paleo-primal principles and herbal therapy.
And since patterns, relationships and beliefs surrounding food run deep and affect every part of our being, a client's individually tailored protocol also includes practical and mindfulness-based support strategies.
In addressing the root of the pattern as well as branch symptoms, I treat your whole body-mind. I also rely on you as an active partner in the process.
What about the “science-y” stuff?
Turns out, hundreds of studies conducted by some of the world’s top researchers have proven conventional “wisdom” about weight loss dead wrong.
The new, proven paradigm in diet and weight-loss circles eschews symptom-driven strategies as ineffective and even counterproductive (i.e., contributing to impaired metabolism and long-term weight gain rather than weight loss).
Recognizing that attempts to starve and medicate our way to weight loss never work in a sustained, healthy way, this new paradigm embraces approaches focused on changing our hormonal and metabolic ecology.
In other words, the new science focuses on seeking the root and treating the whole system. Sound familiar? :)
It does so in ways that may surprise you – I cover key ones in Part 2 of this series.
As a teaser, let’s just say conventional notions about how to eat and exercise for weight loss have been proven wrong. Meanwhile, very different, science-backed strategies have been proven to work.
At Alchemist Sobriety, I leverage these science-based strategies within the context of Chinese Medicine. My work is an alchemy of food, medicine, and mindfulness that helps people eat, live, and feel better.
What about herbs?
Glad you asked! Here’s the thing. Food and lifestyle truly are amazing medicine. That said, herbs offer a powerful complement – one that can address root imbalances as well as branch weight gain.
Chinese herbal formulas can be a natural way to support your body's internal balance—an important foundation for healthy weight management:
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For digestive discomfort like occasional bloating or heaviness, Digestive Harmony supports digestive health, which can be helpful when working toward healthy body composition goals.
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High stress levels can impact cortisol and make it harder to maintain a balanced weight. Emotional Balance helps your body adapt to occasional stress and supports emotional wellness.
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Hormonal balance plays a key role in metabolism. Four Substance supports natural hormone harmony, which may assist your body’s efforts in managing weight over time.
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Quality sleep is essential for metabolic function and recovery. Mental Tranquility Sleep Remedy or Cool Slumber can help promote restful sleep, a key part of any wellness routine.
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Gut health affects everything from energy to immune function. Immunity Support promotes a balanced internal environment that supports overall vitality and well-being.
Choosing a formula that’s right for you will complement dietary and lifestyle adjustments, boosting wellness at the root and minimizing weight gain at the branch. Use the code DANA at checkout for 20 percent off!
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.