Acupuncture is an alternative medical system wherein stainless needles are inserted into specific locations in the body to stimulate those points. Stimulation helps to correct the imbalances in the body responsible for the onset of the disease process. Likewise, in this medical system, also called Traditional Chinese Medicine, the smooth flow of energy called Qi along the meridians or channels in the body is responsible for good health. If there is a disruption in any way that causes an imbalance, there will be a deterioration in health. Acupuncture is used to treat different types of diseases including arthritis, headaches, allergies, menstrual pain, impotence, infertility, macular degeneration and rehabilitation after a stroke, and even to aid in weight loss.
Reasons for the Global Problem of Obesity
Obesity has now become a global problem affecting people of all ages. Unhealthy food and lack of sufficient exercise are the main causes of obesity. The fast pace of life, long working hours, availability of precooked foods rich in sugars, salt and fat have all contributed to people opting out of healthy home-cooked meals. Personal transportation makes it easier for people to get from one place to another by sitting, and they are no longer willing to exercise their bodies and legs by walking from place to place. Obesity has also led to many emotional issues, especially those related to self-esteem, and physical health issues such as atrial-fib, heart attack, depression, anxiety, depression, diabetes and hypertension. This is why people have started to investigate different options for weight loss, including acupuncture.
How Acupuncture Can Treat Obesity
Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other treatments to boost the metabolism and help people loose weight. Acupuncture for weight loss is becoming more and more popular because it helps people to reduce the physical and mental stress during the weight loss process. When trying to change a habit, stress hormones goes up, which is counterproductive for weight loss. Acupuncture helps the brain to produce more endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, so one feels more relaxed while starting the new diet and exercise program. An additional benefit is that most people have less craving for sweets while they are doing acupuncture for weight loss. Furthermore, acupuncture for weight loss can help tone the stomach and facial muscles to forego the normal drooping muscles and skin after losing more than 50 pounds.
Ear Acupuncture Helps with Weight Loss
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the ear points correlate to the entire body as a “microsystem”. Therefore, stimulating certain points in the ear will help curb appetite and increase metabolism, leading to weight loss. Acupuncture also helps improve an individual’s emotional well-being to encourage weight loss by avoiding the emotional overeating triggers and providing the feeling of satiation without consuming “junk foods”. Acupuncture is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and even spiritual exercises such as meditation.
Li Zheng is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and a graduate of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine with 11 years of formal training, including 6 years of residency. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the US and is a Harvard Medical School-trained researcher and a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture. Her two practices are located in Needham, MA and Boca Raton, FL. She has 26 years of clinical experience. Here she is sharing the information about weight loss.