Patients have long touted acupuncture for weight loss. Research is now supporting this idea.
A recent report in the International Journal of Obesity showed that acupuncture was effective at promoting weight loss.
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.
How does acupuncture 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 has also been shown to stimulate the brain and to release neurochemicals and hormones. This helps you relax, and gives you more energy. Also, poor digestion and constipation contribute to weight gain, which acupuncture is great at addressing.
Acupuncture 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 is very 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.
