Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Patients and acupuncturist have long touted acupuncture as effective for weight loss, and the scientific community finally agrees.  A recent metanalysis in the International Journal of Obesity showed that acupuncture was effective at promoting weight loss.  For those who do not know, a metanalysis is more definitive study which examines many many previously performed studies.

The people who received acupuncture lost more weight and were more likely to reduce obesity that either people receiving placebo acupuncture,  lifestyle changes, or medication.

Sound like great news, how does it work?

Acupuncture works by addressing imbalances in your body, and correcting them removes the impediments to loose weight.  Some people have a qi imbalance.  Qi is the body’s energy, if you have too little qi, then it is hard for you to loose weight.

Qi also circulates in the body, and stress can lead to the slowing of this circulation, also called qi stagnation.

Correcting these imbalances will lead to more energy and an increased in your ability to take off pounds.  Your acupuncturist is trained in determining the correct imbalance in your body and addressing it.

It’s Amazing, It’s Powerful, It’s a Little Mysterious, but it’s Not Magic

Unlike what has made the media, acupuncture needles are not magic.  Acupuncture helps people to loose weight by, as I said, correcting imbalances.  Once the imbalance is corrected, the treatments help to boost your metabolism.  Acupuncture has also been shown to stimulate the brain and to release neurochemicals and hormones.  This helps you relax, and gives you more energy.  Also, for many, poor digestion and constipation lead to weight gain, which acupuncture is great at addressing.

But it is only a part of a weight loss plan.  Healthy food choices and exercise are also essential, and this combination is the most powerful way to loose weight and keep it off.

I hear ear acupuncture works to calm hunger, is this true?

Yes it can, but make sure that you are getting a qualified acupuncturist to do a full diagnosis and treatment.

A practice called ear stapling has gotten a lot of attention recently.  This treatment that is unhelpful and it is also dangerous.  They use large needles which are inserted into the ear and remain in the ear for a number of weeks. This can lead to infection and in the worse cases, loss of an ear.

Generally, an acupuncturist will use ear seeds, ear magnets, or small safe ear needles.  These all can work safely and effectively to help you loose weight.

If you are interested in learning more about how acupuncture may help you loose weight and keep it off, and you are in New York City,  please call us at 917-887-4946 for a free consultation.  If you are not in our region, please go to Acufinder.com to find an acupuncturist.