Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Obesity is one of the most common problems found today with adults as well as children. Possible causes of obesity may be excess intake of junk foods, lack of exercise and changing lifestyle. Obesity not only affects your appearance, but it gives rise to plenty of health related problems. That’s why, it is advised by the doctors to keep body weight under control. Nowadays, many people have become cautious about their health and they are adopting various ways to lose excess body weight. Some may go for diet control, some may join gyms or some try different medications. Acupuncture for weight loss is one of the most popular and safe methods. As it is a natural way to reduce weight, it imparts no side effects on your body.

What is Acupuncture?

Before you go for acupuncture for weight reduction, you need to know a little more about acupuncture and its effects. Acupuncture, originated from China thousands years back, is one of the oldest and most commonly used treatment methods used throughout the world. This technique involves insertion of hair-thin needles through skin at strategic points to various depths. Human body has about 2,000 acupuncture points and every point is related to various healing attributes. Acupuncture technique can be applied as an alternative treatment for a wide range of diseases such as depression, drug abuse, insomnia and weight loss. Ear acupuncture can be effective applied to treat organs like kidneys, nervous system, liver and lung. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on skin, then release of endorphin hormone is stimulated which has relaxing and calming effect. It enables you to deal with frustration, stress and anxiety, which can be triggering factors for overeating and indulging in fattening foods. However, you need to take this treatment from skilled acupuncturist.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Among different methods of weight reduction, acupuncture is found to be very effective as it works in a natural way. In this therapy, long, thin, sterilized needles are inserted into the body, which stimulate release of endorphin offering relaxing and calming effect. It can control binging, which may originate from stress. Excessive eating results from excess stress, anxiety and frustration, which may be a major cause of obesity. Acupuncture can control stress and anxiety and keep you relaxed so that your tendency of overeating is reduced.

How Acupuncture helps for Weight reduction?

An acupuncturist selects treatment points depending upon patient’s diagnosis. Acupuncture needles are inserted into these points and kept for about 30-45 minutes per session. Acupuncture treatment focuses on modification of lifestyle in developing a weight loss program. It deals with metabolic condition that may be responsible for weight gain. Acupuncture helps to reduce food cravings, increase metabolism and improve body-wide circulation. It is more specific to decrease cholesterol levels and overall body weight by mobilizing energy stores. Acupuncture also helps to reduce anxiety, reenergize body, suppress appetite and control overeating.

Acupuncture points for weight loss are selected to improve overall health keeping the objective of improving blood circulation and relaxing the nervous system. Various acupuncture points are selected for each treatment, as there may be different symptoms. Generally, treatment is scheduled once or twice a week and continued for 8-12 weeks until aim weight reduction is achieved. It involves a combination of body and auricular (ear) acupuncture, herbs and supplements, breathing exercises, abdominal massage as well as food and lifestyle recommendations.

Ear acupuncture is especially found to very effective for weight reduction. Auricular acupuncture points are stimulated using small tacks and then seed-sized beads or magnets are taped to these points in order to enhance the effectiveness. Some most commonly used auricular points are shenmen, small intestine, hunger point, mouth and endocrine point. When patient unnecessarily gets food cravings in between the meals, then mild pressure is applied or ear staples are rubbed. It stimulates release of endorphin that helps to relax and achieve control over food craving.

Some common points selected by experienced acupuncturist to effectively lose weight safely and within short period of time are thyroid (to slow metabolism), mouth (for impulsive eater), stomach (obese), spleen (sugar and hormonal imbalance) and endocrine (ability to gain weight because of water retention). Acupuncture for weight loss is definitely a wonderful method, however you should be cautious about the acupuncturist is skilled and experienced and acupuncture needles are properly sterilized.

Maintaining healthy body weight is a must for everyone and you may opt for acupuncture, which is a promising method for weight loss.