Acupuncture and Weight Loss – Can it really help?

After having tried all those fad diets out there will little or no success, have you considered trying some that for more than a thousand years has worked well, namely acupuncture.

Although you may disagree with this idea, and you still find the old style methods aren’t working then why not try something just a little different from the norm. If the idea of being stuck with needles to lose weight puts you off read below and this may help you to think more carefully about this method as an alternative to all those fad diets that around.

Acupuncture originates from China and is one of the oldest and certainly most commonly used alternative medical procedures now used around the world and for those who are looking for an alternative way of losing weight then acupuncture may be what they are looking for.

Certainly the use of Acupuncture to help people lose weight became more popular in 2003 after the US news channel CNN carried a report on successful acupuncture weight loss clinics in China. Due to the increase in Chinese people becoming obese more and more turned to the practice of acupuncture in order to help them lose weight as it is considered in Chinese Medical Theory that people are overweight because of an imbalance in their digestive system.

Acupuncture works by helping to strengthen a persons digestive system which results in their appetite being controlled and results in weight loss. There are some theories where people believe that acupuncture helps a persons body metabolism to increase and thus they are able to burn off calories at a much faster rate.

So what is involved when using Acupuncture for Weight Loss?

This involves the insertion of very thing stainless steel needles into particular points on the body and they are then moved using either the acupuncturist or by electrical stimulation. In some cases you may find the acupuncturist will not only use the needles but also lasers as well. Normally a treatment session will last for about 30 minutes (time needles are left in place on the body).

Often people will feel heat, tingling and sometimes a numbing sensation in the area where the needles have been inserted. Also you may find that not only are you losing weight but for women they may find that their menstrual cycles have become more regulated, that any mood swings they have been suffering from may be alleviated and in some cases fatigue that people feel will be eliminated.

So How Does it Work?

Firstly the acupuncturist or doctor will provide you with an herbal prescription with needs to be taken weekly. Next the acupuncturist or doctor will begin a course of treatments and normally after about the fourth treatment the electrical stimulation will be increased. You may also find that your acupuncturist or doctor will revise the prescription that they provided at the beginning of the treatment.

Then after a few of the treatments you will find that when eating a meal you begin to feel full more quickly than previously.

Normally after about the 10th course of treatment you will be advised to take a 2 week break away from the acupuncture treatment and focus more on your diet and exercise plan.

However, do not think that this is a quick way of losing weight as it takes time for your body to adjust to what is happening, but many patients have reported that with patience they find that their food cravings and over eating eventually disappears.

Certainly many Acupuncture Specialists have now defined the points on the body which are used for weight loss with acupuncture and these are shown below.

1. Mouth – This is for the impulsive eater who may smoke a lot and also talk a lot.

2. Stomach – This point is used for those people who eat even though they are full or are constant nibblers.

3. Lung – This point is used when acupuncturists are treating people who are food addicts and for those people who especially enjoy eating chocolate and sweets.

4. Endocrine (Control System for Ductless Glands) – These points are used by acupuncturists for those people who find that water retention is responsible for their weight gain.

5. Adrenal and Ovary – Sometimes weight gain can be caused due to either the menopause or PMS and then the points relating to these parts of the body will be used.

6. Spleen – Especially important for those suffering from sugar imbalances or hormonal disturbances.

7. Kidney – Another one where weight gain can be caused by water retention, hormonal imbalances and also problems with a persons nervous system.

8. Thyroid – This area will be treated for those with slow metabolism

However, it should be noted that some doctors and acupuncturists feel that acupuncture alone is not enough when people are looking to lose weight, and there are medical studies which show that also daily exercise, diet choices and dealing with any food issues that their patient may have also important as part of the process of losing weight.

If you should wish to look at losing weight using acupuncture then it advisable that you find a reputable doctor or acupuncturist who is certified (in the US you need to find someone who is NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).

Normally the cost of weight loss using acupuncture can vary from doctor to doctor and the first visit may cost anywhere between $50 to $125, but subsequent visits should then be from about $30 to $80 a time. Often a doctor who is trained in this field will charge more than a normal doctor and you may find that you will have to pay for the treatments yourself as your health insurance does not provide cover for alternative treatments.

Patients being treated for weight loss using acupuncture will often suffer some side effects during their treatment and these are commonly dizziness, headaches and nausea. But should these persist then please do not hesitate to discuss the problems you are having with your doctor or acupuncturist immediately.