Lose Weight with Acupuncture

Throw out your scales and your diet books! Although it’s not typically thought of as a weight loss treatment, many clients are surprised and delighted to find that acupuncture helps them lose weight. Sometimes this is intentional; they come with that specific goal in mind. Other times, weight loss is a byproduct of their treatment. Here are a few ways that acupuncture can help you lose weight:

1. Reduce Cravings. Once the energy is unblocked and the body goes back into balance, cravings seem to disappear. For example: After surgery, sometimes people start having cravings they’ve never had before. They can get hypoglycemic and start desiring things like desserts. One patient I had never liked sweets. But after her surgery she started craving chocolate! Acupuncture can help balance cravings. Since an important part of losing weight is eating properly, this can help you take off the pounds and keep them off.

2. Balance Hormones. When your hormones are balanced, your metabolism is revved up. A lot of times change in hormones is a deficiency in yang energy, or active energy. If that energy is slow, then everything slows down. We can help you by increasing your yang energy.

3. Improve Digestion. When your body digests more efficiently, you don’t keep on unwanted excess weight. In addition to acupuncture, herbal medicine, teas and supplements can keep your digestion flowing smoothly.

4. Reduce Stress. Many of us over-eat, or feel the need to eat lots of sugars and carbohydrates when we’re stressed. Stress releases adrenalin in the body, leading you to feel that it needs to replenish with these “fast energy” foods. An acupuncture session can calm the nervous system and balance the body. When you are calm, you don’t want to eat “comfort” foods. And if you do feel stressed, you can try doing something else instead, like drinking water or exercising.

5. Trim your Waistline. At Eastern Medical Center, a popular treatment for weight loss is abdominal acupuncture. It’s is a combination of acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping that is directed toward slimming the waistline. By stimulating the area, it tightens the stomach by moving out fat and stored energy. People who want to slim and tone the area seek out this natural treatment. It’s a great fit for people struggling with a potbelly, women after childbirth and anyone who wants a longer and leaner look.