Acupuncture For Weight Loss Guide

Obesity is becoming a worldwide problem due to our sedentary lifestyles and the food that we eat. It is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to health problems such as heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer etc. Body mass index (BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.

Since obesity is such a huge problem, what are some of the ways to prevent this? Some of the more common methods that people used to lose weight includes physical exercise, dieting, lipo-suction, weight loss pills, stomach stapling etc. The Acupuncture For Weight Loss Guide would like to introduce to you an alternative method to lose weight, and that is weight loss using acupuncture. I hope that after reading my Acupuncture For Weight Loss Guide, you will have a better understanding of weight loss acupuncture and to have a more informed choice of whether to use acupuncture as a primary method to lose weight or using it as a supplementary method to lose weight.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. A comprehensive TCM therapy used for weight issues promotes better digestion, smoothens our emotions, reduces our appetite, improves metabolism and eliminates our cravings for food.

According to TCM, the root issue of excess weight or obesity is due to an imbalance within the body caused by the malfunctioning of the spleen and liver organ systems.

In traditional chinese medicine’s five-element theory, the spleen is responsible for the proper functioning of our digestive systems, ensuring that the food we eat is transformed into Qi, which is the vital substance of life. Disharmony of the spleen will cause symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stools, and feeling of heaviness.

Our livers’ job is to keep the flow of our body’s Qi and blood (as well as our emotions) running smoothly. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyle and chronic high stress levels can negatively impact the liver’s ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen and the whole digestive system to function poorly, thereby decreasing our metabolism rate. Liver disharmony can also cause some of the trigger that lead to food cravings and compulsive eating.

A growing body of research supports the use of acupuncture for weight loss:

• A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.

• In 1998, a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia reveals that 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the group undergoing weight loss acupuncture was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

From a TCM perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen to assist with weight loss, will directly influence the Qi of the spleen and liver systems, thereby treating the root cause of Qi imbalances that are causing the weight gain.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture and TCM have been shown to have effects on the functions of our nervous systems, endocrine systems, digestive systems, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

Most patients report a marked decline in appetite and cravings with acupuncture alone, but herbs, healing foods, and exercises can definitely enhance the efficacy of the acupuncture for weight loss treatments.

Herbs and Healing Foods: The herbs and foods that are chosen during acupuncture for weight loss treatments are for promoting healthy digestion, energizing the body, augmenting Qi, and improve elimination of water, toxins, and waste products. Foods that are bitter, sour and acrid to taste are especially good for weight loss, while sweet, salty and greasy foods should be reduced.

Abdominal massage/exercise: Points on the abdomen improve digestion, absorption of food and peristalsis of the intestines. The abdominal points can be stimulated with massage or by belly breathing, where the abdomen is consciously moving in and out with each breath. Deep breathing with visualization can also strengthen will power and be used as a tool to curb hunger and cravings.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by itself or as a supplementary treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs.

Therefore as seen, acupuncture and weight loss does go hand in hand. In our struggle to eat less and expend more energy, we may find that acupuncture is just what we need to overcome food cravings, boost energy, enhance metabolism, and increasing our willpower to succeed.

According to Wikipedia – “acupuncture points, also called acupoints, are locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture and laser acupuncture treatment. Several hundred acupuncture points are located along meridians (connected points across the anatomy which affect a specific organ or other part of the body). There are also numerous “extra points” not associated with a particular meridian”.

The beauty of acupuncture for weight loss is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming our nervous system.

In addition to treating the root of the imbalance within the body, different acupuncture points may be chosen for each treatment as different symptoms arise. For instance, if you are experiencing a desire to over-eat related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) one week, then that can be addressed at that week’s appointment.

Generally treatments are scheduled once or twice a week for 8 to 12 weeks or until the goal weight has been reached. The treatments include a combination of auricular (ear) and body acupuncture, ear tacks or pellets to leave on in-between treatments, herbs and supplements, abdominal massage, breathing exercises, and food and lifestyle recommendations.

Acupuncture points on the ears have been found to be particularly effective for weight loss. The human ear has been described as a micro-system of the body in an inverted fetal position; it contains points relating to all major organs and body parts.

Auricular points for weight loss are stimulated with small tacks during treatment. Then seed-sized beads or magnets are taped to the points to enhance the effectiveness of the points at home. The beads will generally stay in place for 3 days to a week and can be gently massaged for 10-second intervals if cravings occur.

Here are some of the most commonly used auricular points used for weight loss acupuncture:

• Shenmen: Important point for calming the mind and reducing stress
• Small Intestine: Reinforces spleen, promotes digestion.
• Mouth: Calming point used for smoking, over eating and hyperactive talking.
• Hunger Point: Used to relieve hunger and control compulsive eating
• Endocrine point: Moves liver Qi and aids in the function of the metabolism

Acupuncture had been used widely for over 2000 years and generally problems do not arise from the application of acupuncture for weight loss. But as with other weight loss therapy, using acupuncture to lose weight is not 100% safe. Since the body’s outer defense layer, the skin, is penetrated during acupuncture, infection is the largest concern. Instances had been reported where re-used needles had spread ailments like hepatitis.

Haematomas are apparently possible when major blood circulatory systems are punctured. People with bleeding disorders or on a course of steroids should not participate in acupuncture due to potential increased fragility of their tissues. Similarly, nerve injury may be possible, brain damage might also be possible with deep skin penetration around the base of the skull.

Other acupuncture problems encountered have been isolated cases of lung or bladder punctures through too deep insertion of the acupuncture needles.

Needles can on rare occasions break, or allergic reactions can take place if the needles are constructed from more exotic materials than the usual steel.

The use of acupuncture on pregnant women has been said to increase particular hormones responsible for bringing the onset of labor. The fetus has been claimed to be harmed by the actions of acupuncturists during early pregnancy.

However all the problems listed above are very rare, and acupuncture, if performed by a qualified and conscientious practitioner, is generally safe. Licensed acupuncturists know the human anatomy well, and insert needles in a safe fashion. The instruments used to penetrate the skin are either pre-sterilized and disposable after a single use, or disinfected and sterilized in an autoclave, as surgical and dental instruments are, after each use.

The licensed practitioner is well aware of the concern over infectious diseases, and takes every measure to insure cleanliness as all health care professional do. So it is really important to make sure that you consult a reputable licensed acupuncture practitioner for helping you with using acupuncture to lose weight.

If you are interested in alternative weight loss therapy, here are some videos on using acupuncture for weight loss which may be of interest to you and help you to understand acupuncture and weight loss better. We hope that these video clips provide you with a much better appreciation of using acupuncture as weight loss solutions, and that you will feel more comfortable using acupuncture as an alternative method to lose weight. Enjoy these video clips!