How Does Acupuncture Aid in Weight Loss?

Sharon Moore October 12, 2012

Although it doesn’t directly impact weight loss, this therapy can be a useful tool in controlling fat loss and keeping weight gain at bay, experts suggest.

Until today, the exact mechanism of how acupuncture works is still a big misery for many scientists. What was established is that the needles that are inserted to specific points in the body stimulate the release of endorphins (feel-good hormones), which in turn, produce a calming and relaxing effect to the body. This makes acupuncture a sought-after treatment for stress and anxiety issues.

However, other studies suggest that this 2,000 year-old therapy may also help control one’s tendency to binge-eat.

Weight loss is not just all about fat burning. To lose a pound, one may need to build muscles, increase his metabolism, and of course – control their diet. Weight management may also include exercise and stress-reduction techniques.

So how does acupuncture help?

Turns out, acupuncture creates varying biological effects that contribute to fat loss. First, the surge in endorphin levels affects the digestive and hormonal systems in the body that lead to an improvement in the metabolism. Next, acupuncture has been proven to reduce stress. Everyone knows how stress promotes weight gain. Basically, stressful situations make us crave for high-calorie foods. It also triggers the release of cortisol – a hormone that has a negative effect on one’s metabolism.

Practitioners of acupuncture believe that this therapy may also help restore the flow of energy to and from the brain particularly in the hypothalamus – the part which regulates hunger. Research on acupuncture and weight loss reveals that such treatment may help increase the production of gherlin, a hormone that aids in controlling appetite, and at the same time reduce the production of leptin, a hormone that slows down metabolism and promotes fat storage.

Furthermore, it is believed that acupuncture improves digestive process and helps the body use the nutrients it absorbs more effectively.

What to expect in an acupuncture session

Prior the session, the acupuncturist will have to know plenty of things about you, particularly your eating habits. They will also assess if you have digestive difficulties, hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, and the like to locate the best optimal stimulation points in your body. Such information will help the therapist find the root cause of your weight management issues and how they can be best addressed.

The number of acupuncture sessions would depend on how much weight you want to lose and at what rate. For cases where severe overeating is involved for example, a daily session might be required during the first week and will be reduced over time.

Aside from helping you lose weight through acupuncture, the therapist will also provide nutrition counselling to guide you in making important lifestyle changes that will help you manage your weight. They can also introduce sustainable diet plans that promise long-term results.

Again, acupuncture is not a magic bullet to weight loss. It is just an adjunct therapy that you can utilise to lose weight faster, and in a safer way. Your success still depends on how committed you are to living a healthy lifestyle.

Source of this article:

Acupuncture Could Aid Weight Loss