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How to Treat Water Retention with TCM Treatment
If you commonly have swollen feet and ankles, you might be dealing with edema, or water retention. While conventional medicine focuses on diuretics and dietary changes to treat water retention, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach, addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms.
By understanding how imbalances in Qi, spleen function, and dampness contribute to water retention, TCM offers natural, time-tested solutions to restore harmony in the body. Curious about how TCM in Malaysia can help? In this article, let’s explore its unique approach to managing water retention.
What is Water Retention?
Water retention, or edema, is a condition in which excess fluid is found in body tissues, leading to swollen ankles, feet, hands, belly, or abdomen. This buildup occurs when the body’s fluid balance is disrupted, often due to poor circulation, high sodium intake, hormonal fluctuations, or underlying health conditions.
Everyone might experience water retention occasionally, like after long flights, but it occurs more commonly during pregnancy and old age with underlying health conditions. While occasional mild swelling may not be a cause for concern, persistent water retention can indicate issues with the kidneys, heart, or lymphatic system.
How does TCM play a role in treating water retention?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), water retention is viewed as an imbalance in the body’s Qi and organ function, particularly involving the spleen and kidneys, which regulate fluid metabolism.
Here is how TCM tackles water retention, offering a natural and holistic approach for effective treatment.
Promotes Qi and Blood Circulation
In TCM, stagnant Qi and poor blood circulation can contribute to water retention by preventing the body from properly transporting and eliminating fluids. TCM practices in Malaysia, like acupuncture and herbal medicine, help stimulate circulation, ensuring that Qi and blood flow smoothly. This process reduces swelling, alleviates discomfort, and restores the body’s natural fluid balance.
Balances Yin and Yang
When there’s an imbalance between Yin and Yang in the body, fluid metabolism is disrupted, leading to water retention. Excess Yin can cause dampness and sluggish circulation, while excess Yang may generate heat that depletes essential fluids. TCM restores balance to regulate fluid flow and harmonise the body.
Clears Dampness
Dampness is an underlying cause of water retention in TCM, often resulting from a weak spleen that struggles to process fluids efficiently. This excess moisture accumulates in the body, leading to bloating and swelling. TCM treatments like herbal remedies and acupuncture help clear dampness, restore balance, and improve fluid metabolism.
What TCM Treatments Help with Water Retention?
Acupuncture
The most popular TCM treatment in Malaysia that can help with water retention is acupuncture. By stimulating specific meridian points, acupuncture enhances circulation, supports kidney and spleen function, and promotes fluid balance. This helps reduce swelling, improve energy flow, and encourage the body to eliminate excess water for long-term relief naturally.
Meridian Massage
TCM believes that the body’s meridians serve as energy pathways, and blockages in these channels can contribute to water retention. Meridian massage, or Tui Na, helps stimulate circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and restore Qi balance. By applying targeted pressure, this technique encourages fluid movement and reduces swelling naturally.
Moxibustion
While an uncommon treatment in Western medicine, moxibustion is a key TCM therapy for water retention. This technique involves burning dried mugwort leaves near specific acupoints to warm the body, strengthen the spleen and kidneys, and dispel dampness. By improving circulation and Qi flow, moxibustion helps reduce swelling and fluid buildup naturally.
Incorporating TCM Herbs into Diet
If you often deal with water retention, incorporating TCM herbs into your diet can help regulate fluid balance and strengthen organ function. Herbs like ginseng, spirulina, and Chinese yam support the spleen and kidneys, promoting better water metabolism. Drinking herbal teas or adding these ingredients to meals aids in reducing excess moisture naturally.
Rejuvenate your Body with Doux Visage
If you’re looking to treat water retention with TCM in Malaysia, look no further than Dr Goh TCM & Health Management, a subsidiary of Doux Visage alongside Doux Visage Aesthetics & Skin Management and Dr Goh Restorative Formula! With over two decades of experience in TCM, you can trust us to help you on a journey towards a healthier you.
As certified TCM practitioners, we’ll ensure a personalised treatment that addresses all your concerns. Book an appointment with Doux Visage today, where our health professionals from our subsidiary Dr Goh TCM & Health Management are ready to assist you.
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