Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Trying to drop the pounds is often a difficult process for those who are uncomfortable with their weight. Dieters often resort to fad diets, diet bills and excessive exercise in a desperate attempt to be happier with their appearance. But, it has been discovered that there is another method that can help dieters lose that excessive weight; acupuncture. If this is the route you or someone that you know is considering there are things that you should know before you commit to it.

First, acupuncture is a Chinese medicinal procedure where a trained specialist inserts thin needles under the skin to bring about certain long term effects. Usually it is pain relief; like in the case of someone who suffers from headaches, but it can be to deal with other medical conditions or injuries. It can also be used to help someone lose weight.

Weight loss acupuncture is usually accomplished by placing needles in the ear. The reason is that by pacing the needles on certain acupuncture points the acupuncturist helps the patient to relax and release endorphins which makes the patient feel good and helps curb appetite. The points are thought to be in the line that affects the nervous system, liver, kidneys and lungs.

Before the treatment starts the acupuncturist will question their patient to ensure they know enough to be able to provide a good treatment plan. This is in part to understand why the person is overweight. For some it is stress and so if the therapist can relive that at the same time the patient may find it easier to cut down on the excessive eating. Though the ear is a main weight loss point depending on what the acupuncturist learns they may use many others.

Depending on what the acupuncturist thinks they may aim for different methods of assisting in the patient’s weight loss. Sometimes the pituitary gland is targeted to help control eating by increasing the hormones it puts into the body. Other times the placement of the needles will affect levels of various things in the bloodstream that affect appetite. Once started these treatments must continue to keep the positive results and to prevent the patient from slipping back into bad eating habits.

Recent studies showed that ten percent of those who used acupuncture along with a reduced diet and light exercise program were able to lose more weight that those who did not include acupuncture as part of their plan. It also reflected the fact that the acupuncture group felt a diminished appetite ten times more often the others. An overweight person can definitely lose weight if they combine acupuncture with a sensible diet and exercise.

But weight loss is still work. It will not come by using only acupuncture treatments. The benefit to using acupuncture is that it has no dangerous side effects like so many of the fad diets can. It is not addictive like diet pills. It is a natural method to try to help someone lose weight and feel better their appearance.