|
Weight Loss
According to traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese acupuncture is useful in weight control because weight gain is thought to be the result of disturbed energy flow to and from the regulating center of the brain, called the hypothalamus. Acupuncture restores balance to the flow of energy in the body. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining "homeostasis" or functional balance that allows the body to run like a finely tuned instrument. It is the body's dispatch center that regulates hormones and neurochemicals. The hypothalamus also helps to control body temperature, thirst and hunger. Acupuncture is also said to influence obesity hormones. Research measuring the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss found treatments affected ghrelin, a hormone that controls meal initiation and leptin, the hormone that regulates fat storage and metabolism. When the level of leptin is high in your body, that's when you feel satisfied, with little desire to eat. When the level of ghrelin is high, that's when your body sends emergency signals to send food. This hormonal battle largely dictates how much, how often, and how smart you eat. In addition, Acupuncture strengthens the function of the liver. The liver’s job is to keep the flow of your body’s Qi (life force) and blood (as well as your emotions) running smoothly. It produces many chemicals critical for digestion, processing nutrients and fat breakdown. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyle and chronic stress can negatively impact the liver’s ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen and the whole digestive system to function poorly and decrease your metabolism. Disharmony of the spleen will have symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool, and feeling of heaviness. Liver disharmony can also cause some of the “triggers” that lead to cravings and compulsive eating |
Using acupuncture is a wonderful way to assist you with your goals toward better health and losing weight. We can help you set your weight loss goals and achieve them. |
Acupuncture Treatments for Weight Loss
The number of acupuncture treatments necessary depends on a few factors such as the patient’s goals for losing weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their commitment to a healthier lifestyle. In the beginning it is important to come for consistent weekly or bi-weekly treatments to help get you started. Once you are feeling comfortable with your new weight loss plan, the number of treatments will decrease anywhere from one to two visits a month. When you have reached your weight loss goals, you need only come a few times a year to keep your system balanced.
In addition to other acupuncture points, auricular acupuncture treatments are used for weight loss. It involves the stimulation of the acupoints located on the ear with tiny seeds. The seeds are no larger than the tip of an unsharpened pencil, do not pierce the skin, and are painless when affixed. The patient will leave these seeds in for up to one week and re-stimulate the points by massaging the ear several times each day. When the patient feels an urge to eat in between meals or when it is unnecessary to eat, they apply a mild pressure on the ear seeds; alternatively rub them back and forth for about 20 seconds. This results to a direct stimulation causing a mild endorphin release, relaxing the patient to regain control.
The number of acupuncture treatments necessary depends on a few factors such as the patient’s goals for losing weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their commitment to a healthier lifestyle. In the beginning it is important to come for consistent weekly or bi-weekly treatments to help get you started. Once you are feeling comfortable with your new weight loss plan, the number of treatments will decrease anywhere from one to two visits a month. When you have reached your weight loss goals, you need only come a few times a year to keep your system balanced.
In addition to other acupuncture points, auricular acupuncture treatments are used for weight loss. It involves the stimulation of the acupoints located on the ear with tiny seeds. The seeds are no larger than the tip of an unsharpened pencil, do not pierce the skin, and are painless when affixed. The patient will leave these seeds in for up to one week and re-stimulate the points by massaging the ear several times each day. When the patient feels an urge to eat in between meals or when it is unnecessary to eat, they apply a mild pressure on the ear seeds; alternatively rub them back and forth for about 20 seconds. This results to a direct stimulation causing a mild endorphin release, relaxing the patient to regain control.