ELLEN XU,BSc,RAc

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

A gradual approach to reach body and mind balance.

What is obesity?

Simple obesity includes genetic obesity, and acquired obesity which is caused by overeating, lack of exercise or emotional stress. Secondary obesity is causes by chronic illness such as hypothalamic disorder, pituitary disorder, or other hormonal disorders.

Acupuncture Treatment for weight loss (A Combination of Body acupuncture and Ear acupuncture)

Body Acupuncture: It involves inserting thin needles to particular spots on the skin. It stimulates the body to release endorphins, which will help controlling body appetite. The endorphin hormone is believed to create a physiological and psychological environment to make lasting choice to overcome eating temptations. They have a relaxing and calming effect that helps the body to deal with stress, frustration, of leaving the extra dose of food. Moreover, these “feel-good” pain relieving chemicals helps in enhancement of the metabolism and will power in a human.

Acupuncture weight loss points target the following:

Emotional points - which helps in calming anxiety, anger, frustration and insecurity

Endocrine System and Kidneys - to treat water retention; stimulate nerve and hormonal rebalance, 

Spleen and Thyroid Gland - for sugar and hormonal rebalancing

Adrenal and Ovary Glands - to treat weight gain due to menopause or P.M.S. 

Your acupuncturist may choose a combination of these points in accordance with the problem of the patient and profile regarding eating habits. Electro-stimulation may also be used to stimulate the growth of endorphins.

Ear acupuncture: a meant to continue treatment in between sessions

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 beads. This results to a direct stimulation causing a mild endorphin release, relaxing the patient to regain control.

Each acupuncture treatment should be 30 to 40 minutes, suggest 6 to 10 treatments for one course.

How effective is acupuncture weight loss treatment?

Unlike other medications, the benefit of acupuncture therapy lies in its long term benefit and no side-effects along with any chance of addiction. It is a perfect natural treatment to boost up the weight loss metabolism of the body.

You will still need to eat healthily and exercise to lose weight. However, there is no strict diet or exercise plan you need to follow. Just follow the guildlines for diet: low carb, low fat, more vegitable and fruit, more fiber and more water intake; Eat only when you feel hungry; Stop eating when you feel full.

You may need to have weekly acupuncture treatments to feel the effects, or you may be able to get by with treatments every other week. 

Short course acupuncture weight loss treatments mainly aim to suppress appetite and assist in acquiring the lifestyle change necessary to maintain healthy weight.

Although actual weight loss varys individually, most clients will see an average 2-10 lb weight loss every month. In some cases, clients have 20 lb weight loss in one month.

After you reach your ideal-weight, it is needed to be repeated on regular terms (every two weeks or once a month) to maintain the effects for 3-6 months and finally terminate treatment.

Appendix:

Symptoms and Diagnosis for obesity according to Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Stomach Fire- big abdomen, polyphagia, dry mouth and bitter taste. Fullness and burning sensation in the epigastrium that can be relieved by eating. Red tongue with yellow greasy coating and smooth taut pulse.

2. Spleen deficiency- obese constitution, fatigue, heaviness sensation over all, fullness in the chest and epigastrium, slight edema in the limbs that becomes worse at night. Loose stool, reduced appetite, history of overeating

3. Excess of phlegm- obese constitution, heaviness over all, excess of phlegm, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, dry mouth, over eating, over drinking, fatigue. White tongue coating with smooth pulse.

4. Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency- fatigue, puffy face, shortness of breath, loose stools, spontaneous sweating, cold limbs, and frequent urination at night. A pale and enlarged tongue with tooth mark indentations on the edge, white tongue coating with a deep and thready pulse.

5. Blood stasis and Qi stagnation- red complexion, discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, insomnia or light sleep, irritable. Red tongue with stasis spots, rough or taut and deep pulse.