Acupuncture – A Natural Alternative to Weight Loss
The market is flooded with the latest diets. There are carb diets and protein supplement diets, and the Adkins and South Beach diets. Then there are the weight loss exercise videos: Tai Bo, Buns of Steel and dance videos. The home shopping network is littered with modern exercise equipment that get you to push, pull, pedal, run, jump, and that fold you every which way in order to get your body to shed pounds and reveal that six pack.
While some of these techniques are credible and effective for some people, they are just not feasible or successful for others. There are alternative avenues that tackle weight issues in a very natural way, one of which is acupuncture for weight loss.
The History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture dates back more than 5,000 years. It can be found
in the medical history of China, and in papyrus treatises in Egypt. Certain
forms of acupuncture were developed by Arabs, South Africans, Eskimos
and Brazilians.
In modern North America, all styles of acupuncture, from all countries, are being integrated. The medical properties of acupuncture have been recognized, and officially accepted as a natural tool to well-being.
What
is Acupuncture?
Typically, acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific
key points of the body. Chinese acupuncture is based on Chi, or energy
that flows through the body. Sicknesses, whether mental or physical, are
attributed to the amount of, or lack of energy flowing around the internal
organs. A healthy body is due to a continuous flow of energy, which results
in a well-balanced body.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
The first step to acupuncture for weight loss is to consult a
reputable acupuncturist in order to assess the nature of the problem.
The acupuncture specialist will ask the patient pertinent questions such
as:
- Is there a history of obesity in your family?
- What are your eating habits?
- What are your cravings?
- What reasons motivate you to lose weight?
Your answers will help him determine which parts of the body to focus on. Specific sites are associated with specific needs.
Body Specifics
The acupuncture specialist focuses on the patient’s eating
habits by targeting specific sites that diminish the appetite, curb the
dependency on certain foods, and lessen the frequency of food intake;
however, greater significance is placed on reducing the patient’s
stress level, which is often the cause of weight gain.
Strategic placement of needles to certain areas can lower insulin levels or lipid levels in the blood. Treatment to the spleen and thyroid gland decreases cravings for sugar, while treatment to the kidneys helps patients who suffer from fluid retention. The ovaries are targeted when weight gain is associated with P.M.S. and menopause. Stimulating the shemmer point produces calmness, and reduces feelings of anxiety, anger, frustration, and insecurity.
How does Acupuncture for Weight Loss Work?
Depending on the patient’s particular needs, needles are
inserted at the selected sites usually for 30 to 45 seconds per session.
In between sessions, when patients feel the need to eat, they apply pressure
for 30 seconds on that body point, rubbing it to stimulate the endorphins.
The sudden release of endorphins causes the patient to relax and regain
control over the situation.
Frequency of Treatment
Each individual requires a personal schedule; treatments vary
depending on the goals of each patient. Typically, a person with a long-term
goal for weight loss would start with a daily session, which would soon
be reduced to every second day. Eventually, the treatments would be twice
a week until the desired weight loss is reached, at which time a booster
treatment every two weeks would suffice.
A Natural Alternative
Because acupuncture for weight loss does not depend on pills,
drastic diets or arduous exercise programs, there are no negative side
effects to the treatment. Nevertheless, healthy eating and exercising
is always recommended to maintain physical well-being. It is not a miracle
technique, but part of an overall plan for weight loss.
The acupuncturist should be used in conjunction with a nutritionist and a doctor. A healthy diet and exercise plan should be worked out for you so that your weight loss is maintained, and your lifestyle change is permanent. Acupuncture helps you implement new skills for dealing with food issues, gives you reprieve from stress and anxiety, and supports you in your new lifestyle.
About the Author:
Holly Cates is a nutrition and physical expert. She also provides
content for the Weight Loss
Products Comparison website.