Acupuncture for weight loss

Acupuncture is a tool or type of treatment which is used in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine. This type of treatment has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years in order to treat many types of body disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine which includes acupuncture, herbal supplements and foods that will help to promote weight loss can be used to help people lose more weight and maintain their weight when utilized for this purpose.

Research has been done that shows that treating weight loss with acupuncture and TCM does work. A study by the Journal of Medical Acupuncture in 2003 showed that people treated this way lost 2-3 times more weight than those in the control group. A study done is Australia showed that people who were treated were less likely to be hungry and lost weight faster than others.

Acupuncture works by placing slim needles into different acupuncture points on the body. These treatments are set up specifically for the individual and will depend on the types of symptoms they have as well as what the practitioner finds upon examining the person wanting treatment

According to the philosophy behind Eastern medicine and the five element theory, being overweight is due to an imbalance in the spleen or liver organ systems. The theory states that the spleen works to provide proper digestion and improve the function of the digestive system. This system is responsible for breaking our food down and turning it into Qi (energy) which is essential for life. Disharmony in the spleenic organ system can cause fatigue, lethargy, weakness, slow digestion and metabolism, water retention, frequent liquid stools and bloating.

The liver system works in order to keep the Qi (energy) and the blood flowing smoothly and in a proper manner. Stress, strain, fast living, not eating well, or sleeping well can have very negative effects on our liver being able to function properly. Disharmony of the liver can cause symptoms such as craving and other triggers which cause impulse eating.

Both acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine approach weight loss from a whole body standpoint. They treat both physical and psychological elements and triggers equally. The goal for adequate treatment for weight loss with both of these treatments is to balance emotions and energies effectively, eliminate cravings and emotional triggers to eat, stimulate metabolism and improve digestion.

Acupuncture treatment for weight will be designed for the individual patient but all treatment includes stimulating the points that are responsible for a person’s well being as well as points that promote movement of Qi or energy and blood flow. This will stimulate metabolism and aid digestion. Points will also be chosen to calm down the nervous system and counteract triggers that might affect the person producing cravings or impulse eating.

Most acupuncturists choose points on both the body and the ear. Research shows that the points on the ear are very important to stimulate when treating a person for weight loss. These treatments are usually performed once or twice per week for eight to twelve weeks or until the weight goals have been achieved.

The acupuncturist may attach small magnets or ear tacks to the ear with tape to be kept on after the treatment. The person can then massage the acupuncture points when they feel nervous or hungry. This can help keep down triggers that can cause emotional eating.

Acupuncture alone can go far in helping a person to lose weight however most practitioners recommend that the patient utilize Chinese herbal supplements and also give them food recommendations that will assist them in the ability to lose weight at a faster pace.