Should you switch over to acupuncture to lose the pounds?

Should you switch over to acupuncture to lose the pounds?

Acupuncture, a kind of alternative medicine involving the insertion of thin needles, has been utilised to aid with weight loss. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to increase the flow of energy (or “chi”) in the body, and recent studies show it may also reduce the effects of the various risk factors of obesity.

How Does It Work? 

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, very flexible needles into the body at fixed positions. This therapy approach has been used for over thousand years, but it has recently gained popularity because of its reputation as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of medical issues, including obesity.

Acupuncture has long been held in high regard for its purported ability to restore the body’s natural equilibrium by balancing the flow of qi/chi (energy). Migraine, infertility, chronic pain, and obesity are just some of the ailments it has been able to treat successfully.

Your acupuncturist will take a full medical history and discuss your motivations for losing weight at your initial consultation. You’ll get the best therapy possible once they’ve helped you pinpoint the cause of your weight gain (slow metabolism, thyroid problems, binge eating, etc.).

Effective Weight Loss Through Acupuncture

Needles used in acupuncture are very fine because they need to be able to do their job without causing any discomfort or bleeding. Sessions typically last between 15 and 30 minutes while the needles remain inserted. During your treatment, the acupuncturist may move or spin the needles as part of the method. Treatments at an acupuncture clinic are often described as soothing and painless by patients.

Many acupuncturists who specialise in helping patients shed pounds do so primarily by working on the ear. Some of the most important evidence reveals that stimulating certain locations on the outer ear might restore hormonal balance, resulting in less hunger and cravings.

Two hormones that help in weight reduction can be affected by acupuncture:
Ghrelin: Stimulating food intake and regulating hunger are two of Ghrelin’s primary functions.
Leptin: Leptin controls energy expenditure and fat storing.

By making these two hormones work better, acupuncture can reduce your hunger and cravings, improve your digestion, and speed up your metabolism.

What Research Shows

Some recent studies have found promising results in linking acupuncture with weight loss.

A research comparing the weight-loss results of auricular (ear) acupuncture to those of body acupuncture in obese women revealed that the former resulted in a loss of about 8 pounds.

Results from a separate study showed that after six weeks of auricular acupuncture, the waist circumferences of overweight women aged 20 to 30 decreased.

Stress contributes to weight growth for many people. Endorphins are the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals, and research suggests that they are released in response to acupuncture needles. This has the potential to provide sedative and tranquillizing effects, which can help reduce the urge to overeat due to stress, irritation, and anxiety.