Puffiness, Go Away! Understanding Deficiency-Induced Swelling and How to Fix It 

Are you struggling with stubborn puffiness or bloating that just won’t go away, no matter how much you diet or exercise? You might be dealing with something called “deficiency-induced swelling” aka Xu Pang in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms. Contrary to what you might think, not all puffiness or “obesity” is caused by eating too much or moving too little. In fact, TCM doctors often say, “9 out of 10 cases of obesity are not real!”

So, what does that mean? Here are some TCM concepts that explain why your body might be holding onto puffiness, how to tell if you have “deficiency obesity,” and what you can do to fix it using TCM practices and natural remedies.  

1. Why TCM Doctors Say “9 Out of 10 Obesity Is Not Real”

When you think of obesity, you probably imagine someone who eats too much junk food or doesn’t exercise enough. But in TCM, there’s something more. According to TCM principles, much of what looks like obesity may actually be “deficiency-induced swelling”, or Xu-Pang.   

 What Is Deficiency-Induced Swelling?  

Deficiency-induced swelling happens when your body’s internal systems—like your Spleen, Kidneys, or Lungs—aren’t functioning properly. These organs are responsible for managing energy (Qi), fluids, and metabolism. When they’re weak or out of balance, your body starts to retain water and fluids, leading to puffiness, bloating, and a general feeling of heaviness.  

Why It’s Not “Real” Obesity?  

In TCM, “real” obesity is often linked to excess—too much food, too much dampness, or too much stagnation in the body. But deficiency-induced swelling is the opposite—it’s caused by a lack of something, like Qi, Yang energy, or proper organ function, and is usually a condition that can be reversible with adjustments in lifestyle. 

To be more literal:  

– If your Spleen is weak, it can’t properly transform and transport fluids, leading to water retention.  

– If your Kidneys are deficient, they can’t regulate water metabolism, causing swelling. 

– If your Lungs aren’t dispersing Qi properly, fluids can accumulate in your tissues.  

So, while you might look “puffy” or “overweight,” the root cause isn’t excess fat—it’s a deficiency that’s throwing your body out of whack.  

2. How to Know If Your Obesity Is Deficiency Obesity: What Are the Signs?  

Not sure if your puffiness is due to deficiency-induced swelling? Here are some telltale signs to look out for:  

Physical Signs  

1. Puffiness Without Weight Gain: Your body looks swollen or puffy, especially in the face, limbs, or abdomen, but you haven’t gained much fat or muscle.  

2. Water Retention: You feel bloated or heavy, and your weight fluctuates dramatically from day to day.  

3. Cold Hands and Feet: You’re always freezing, even when everyone else is comfortable.  

4. Fatigue: You feel tired all the time, no matter how much you sleep.  

5. Poor Digestion: You experience bloating, loose stools, or feel full after eating just a little.  

Emotional Signs  

1. Low Energy: You lack motivation and feel sluggish, both physically and mentally.  

2. Brain Fog: You have trouble concentrating or feel like your thoughts are cloudy.  

3. Mood Swings: You’re easily irritated or feel emotionally unstable.  

           Are you the type of person that could gain weight just by having dessert for a few nights and then lose weight by just cutting alcohol for a week? That’s probably because you are simply not fat or obese! In TCM perspective, obesity is a relatively stable condition that is not easily adjustable by lifestyle habits. 

3. What Causes Deficiency-Induced Swelling?  

           Deficiency-induced obesity is often confused and used interchangeably with swelling. The two concepts are related but not interchangeable. Swelling here is not swelling from intense infections or illnesses, but swelling due to excess fluids that your body cannot get out of the system effectively. Swelling is a temporary condition that could come and on in as short as fifteen minutes; prolonged and recurring swelling is an essential contributing factor resulting in deficiency-induced obesity. Deficiency-induced swelling can be both localized as well as systematic. 

Now that you know what deficiency-induced swelling looks like, let’s explore the root causes. In TCM, this condition is often linked to imbalances in three key organ systems: the Spleen, Kidneys, and Lungs. 

Spleen Qi Deficiency

The Spleen is like your body’s digestive powerhouse. It’s responsible for transforming food into energy and fluids into usable resources. When your Spleen is weak (a condition called Spleen Qi deficiency), it can’t do its job properly. This leads to:  

– Poor digestion  

– Fluid retention  

– Dampness and phlegm buildup  

Kidney Yang Deficiency  

The Kidneys are your body’s energy battery. They regulate water metabolism and keep your body warm. When Kidney Yang is deficient, your body can’t properly metabolize fluids, leading to:  

– Cold limbs  

– Water retention  

– Swelling, especially in the lower body  

Lung Qi Deficiency

The Lungs are in charge of dispersing Qi and fluids throughout the body. If your Lung Qi is weak, fluids can accumulate in your tissues, causing:  

– Puffiness in the upper body  

– Shortness of breath  

– A pale complexion  

Lifestyle Factors  

In addition to organ imbalances, certain lifestyle habits can contribute to deficiency-induced swelling:  

– Poor Diet: Eating too many cold, raw, or greasy foods can weaken the Spleen.  

– Lack of Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to Qi stagnation.  

– Chronic Stress: Stress weakens the Spleen and disrupts the flow of Qi.  

– Inadequate Sleep: Poor sleep (either not enough quality or duration) is a demolisher of Kidney energy.  

4. How to Improve Deficiency-Induced Swelling Using TCM Practices and Herbs  

Herald! Deficiency-induced swelling is totally and quite easily fixable! By addressing the root causes and restoring balance to your body, you can say goodbye to puffiness and hello to a healthier, more vibrant you. Follow these simple steps to help your body regain the necessary Qi and balance among organs to combat swelling and buildup of waste liquids.  

– Eat Warm, Cooked Foods: Think soups (hot soups only please), stews, and congee. Avoid cold, raw, and greasy foods. You can also consider eating foods with ingredients recognized for their warming properties, ie. Ginger, cinnamon, and black beans. 

– Herbal Helpers: Try herbs like Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root, often confused with Ginseng ), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), and Fu Ling (Poria) to tonify the Spleen and resolve dampness.  Try herbs like cinnamon bark, Fu Zi (aconite root), and Du Zhong (eucomia bark) to tonify and inject yang energy into your Kidney. Cantonese in particular love to cook soup and adding these herbs to a soup with pork ribs is absolutely delicious! Click here for one of my favorite Anti-Swelling Soup recipes.

– Acupuncture: Acupuncture is very effective in anti-swelling. The acupuncture points of Sanyinjiao and Zusanli are connected and can be accessed to boost spleen function. Follow the short video here as a daily exercise to bring down your swelling.

If you find that puffiness is mostly concentrated in your upper body, your Lungs might need some love.  – Lung-Friendly Foods: Eat pears, almonds, and white fungus to support Lung health. These ingredients make one of the favorite imperial desserts. Aside from the efficiency to clear the lungs, court ladies loved to drink dessert soups made from these ingredients believing in its potency to enhance their skin beauty. Click here to learn about the recipe that all Chinese women love!

– Qi Gong and Taichi: Practice deep-breathing exercises to strengthen your Lungs and improve Qi flow.  

Lastly, stagnation of Qi and blood can worsen swelling, so keep things moving!  

Say Goodbye to Puffiness!  

Deficiency-induced swelling might be frustrating, but it’s not a life sentence. By understanding the root causes and using TCM principles to restore balance, you can banish puffiness for good. Remember, your body is a complex, interconnected system—what looks like “obesity” might just be a cry for help from your Spleen, Kidneys, or Lungs.  

So, the next time you feel puffy or bloated, don’t reach for a fad diet or extreme workout. Instead, try warming up your meals, sipping on some herbal tea, or practicing a little Qi Gong. Your body will thank you! 

Puffiness, go away—and don’t come back!