Acupuncture - Can It Help Aid Weight Loss?

Acupuncture is a complementary treatment. Weight loss falls under the bigger concept of weight management and acupuncture can help with that.

Sometimes, people go to any extreme to lose weight. Fad diets are the rage nowadays. These diets usually stress on consuming only one food group over the others. This leads to severe lack of important nutrients, leading to severe imbalances in your body. Acupuncture, in tandem with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), can do wonders for your weight loss program. Together, they try to address both psychological and physiological problems. The therapy handles issues regarding digestion, emotions, appetite, metabolism and cravings.

In TCM, malfunctions in the spleen and liver cause imbalances in the body, which lead to excessive weight gain. The spleen transforms the food we eat into Qi—the key substance of life; and the liver maintains the flow of blood and Qi. If these two are affected, then imbalances occur in the body. Thus, the focus of TCM and acupuncture lies therein.

Acupuncture Points-

In acupuncture, the ear is considered to be the main point in the body, with respect to weight. The ear affects other points in the body. These points are called the auricular points. Some common auricular points include:

1. Shen men (ear-point): to calm the mind and reduce stress

2. Small intestine: for spleen reinforcement and promotion of digestion

3. Mouth: for smoking and overeating, this calming point is used

4. Hunger point: to subdue hunger and manage overeating

5. Endocrine point: activates liver Qi and helps metabolic functions

With these, a right diet should be followed as well. The food and herbs chosen for treatment aid in hunger, digestion, improving Qi, augmenting removal of toxins and waste products from the body and bettering metabolism. Step up the intake of bitter, acrid and sour foods, whereas, greasy, salty and sweet foods should be avoided.

Along with the right foods, exercise is a must. Abdominal massages can provide good stimulation.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you lose weight safely, either by itself or combined with other weight loss programs.