Published online May 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i13.119563
Revised: March 8, 2026
Accepted: March 24, 2026
Published online: May 6, 2026
Processing time: 83 Days and 1.9 Hours
Obesity leads to excessive fat accumulation and autonomic nervous dysfunction. Acupuncture has shown promising therapeutic effects for weight reduction; however, its effects on different fat depots remain unclear. This study reports a case of a male obese patient who exhibited significant reduction of adipose tissue in multiple body regions following acupuncture treatment. Based on the distinct distribution patterns of fat loss and their potential correlation with local neuro-endocrine systems, we further explore the possible mechanisms underlying site-specific fat reduction induced by acupuncture.
A 35-year-old male [height 180 cm, weight 122.5 kg, body mass index (BMI) 37.8 kg/m2] underwent acupuncture treatment three times per week for eight weeks (24 sessions). The acupuncture parameters were as follows: Acupoints: Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shuifen (CV9), Tianshu (ST25, bilateral), Shuidao (ST28, bilateral), Sanyinjiao (SP6, bilateral), Zusanli (ST36, bilateral), Yinlingquan (SP9, bilateral); frequency: Acupuncture was administered three times per week (on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings) over a continuous period of eight weeks; duration: 30 minutes per session. After treatment, his body weight decreased by 6.0 kg, waist circumference by 14.5 cm, and BMI by 1.8. Ultrasonography revealed significant reductions in both subcutaneous fat (subscapular and right abdominal regions) and visceral fat (preperitoneal, perirenal, and intra-abdominal regions). These findings suggest that acupuncture may effectively reduce fat thickness across multiple regions and improve overall fat distribution. This phenomenon may be attributable to differences in the sensitivity of regional adipose tissues to the same acupuncture stimulus, likely due to variations in their structural composition, sympathetic innervation density, and β3-adrenergic receptor expression.
This case suggests that aupuncture treatment significantly reduced both subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness in patients with obesity, demonstrating its important role in modulating systemic fat distribution, particularly in decreasing visceral adiposity.
Core Tip: This study reports a case of a 35-year-old male (180 cm, 122.5 kg, body mass index 37.8 kg/m2, waist circumference 125.4 cm) who received thrice-weekly acupuncture for 8 weeks. Ultrasonography showed significant reductions in his subcutaneous and visceral fat, with visceral fat loss being more pronounced. Waist circumference, visceral fat thickness, Chinese visceral adiposity index and visceral fat volume all decreased notably. This case suggests that acupuncture not only induces weight loss but also preferentially reduces harmful visceral fat, directly targeting a key risk factor for metabolic diseases.