Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years and has been proven to be incredibly effective in the treatment of a wide variety of illnesses.
Keeping a healthy weight can aid in lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Obesity is described as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that poses a risk to one’s health.
To reduce hunger, increase metabolism, and restore the balance of the organ systems that control digestion and metabolism, acupuncture and herbal medicine can also have an impact on the digestive and hormonal systems.
Serious and small illnesses can both be effectively treated with it. It may also aid in preventing diseases linked to obesity, including several malignancies, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
The likelihood of a patient achieving successful weight loss can be increased by using traditional Chinese medicine in conjunction with adopting a healthy lifestyle and analyzing stress patterns.
In this article, we will be looking at acupuncture for weight loss.
What Is Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced in China for nearly 2,500 years, and one of its forms is acupuncture.
Life force in the body can be blocked by a variety of causes, including[1] heredity, stress, the environment, lifestyle choices, and lifestyle habits.
For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used in China and other Asian nations. Acupuncture involves stimulating particular body locations.
It also lessens pain. To do this, needles are inserted into certain skin-surface locations to help the body’s qi energy become active.
Qi is the lifeforce[2] energy in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine; it serves to control and move everything in the body to keep us healthy.
Additionally, it might influence the way that chemicals that control blood pressure and flow are released.
To affect a change in the body’s physiological processes, this is typically accomplished by inserting tiny needles just beneath the skin. Acupuncture, according to research, lessens nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy and surgery.
Benefits Of Acupuncture For Weight Loss
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May Enhance Digestion Process
By reducing stomach and pancreatic inflammation and enhancing[3] digestive processes, acupuncture can treat digestive issues. It has been claimed that this method of treatment offers long-term symptom relief.
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May Provide You With Energy
Many people say that receiving acupuncture treatments puts them in a calm, contemplative state. They experience[4] a zing after therapy as a result, which gives them extra energy in the hours, days, and even weeks that follow treatment.
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Could Reduce PCOS Symptoms
PCOS is very dangerous for women trying to lose weight. Because of higher insulin resistance levels and ovarian[5] cysts, women gain weight very easily in a short period. Acupuncture helps in minimizing the effects of PCOS which results in overall weight loss.
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May Act As Immune Booster
By assisting in the development of disease resistance, acupuncture enhances your immune system and aids in the prevention[6] of illness and injury.
Acupuncture helps build up your immune system’s reserves through routine visits, reducing the need for emergency care when illnesses and accidents occur.
Side Effects Of Acupuncture
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Non Sterile Needles
If non-sterile needles are used, hepatitis B and other illnesses[7] may be acquired. Further, it could affect your overall body functions.
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Insertion
Even with careful handling and positioning of needles, bruising, bleeding, and overall pain is still possible. Because of this, acupuncture might not be the ideal option for you if you take blood thinners, have hemophilia, or have a different bleeding issue.
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Incorrect Placement
If a needle is inserted too deeply or in the wrong spot, internal organ damage or a collapsed lung may result.
Acupuncture Point For Weight Loss
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Celestial Pivot
This pressure point is located along the stomach meridian. It is situated halfway between the umbilicus line and the outer border of the abdominal muscle.
It is believed to be effective in treating digestive problems like dysentery, diarrhea, and constipation. By assisting in intestine[8] regulation, it can help with weight loss.
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Upper Lip
In the area between your upper lip and nose, gently press (philtrum). Make sure to exert moderate[9] pressure directly in the philtrum’s center. The spot is the name given to this pressure point.
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Middle Stomach
This point is situated on the conception vessel meridian, not one of the 12 major meridians.
It is believed that by exerting pressure on the upper abdominal organs, this pressure point facilitates digestion.
Apply firm pressure and massage for up to three minutes in a circular motion to open this pressure point.
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Ear Point
Put your finger where your jaw begins to find this location. Put your finger on the pressure point that is moving the most while you move your jaw up and down.
Every day for 1-2 minutes, gently press this point with your forefinger. The point just below your earlobe can be pressed to help with appetite control.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
The training and standards of the acupuncturist themselves are ultimately crucial to safe acupuncture practice.
The consensus[10] is that acupuncture needles can be used safely when administered by a trained, licensed, and experienced practitioner.
Acupuncturists need to take into account several significant factors when doing acupuncture safely.
It should come as no surprise that many people are frequently concerned about the safety of the practice given that the practice of acupuncture essentially involves the application of needles of various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses to points along the length of the body.
Acupuncture points near the body’s major organs need to be handled carefully to avoid any unintentional injury or puncture.
To avoid any unintentional infection, anything utilized for an intrusive procedure like acupuncture should be well sterilized. The use of the proper needles, in terms of size, is also crucial.
Conclusion
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese wellness practice that is perfectly safe to include in your daily routine and has no unfavorable side effects.
Although acupressure is recognized to be beneficial to everyone, the benefits vary from person to person. The use of acupressure should be accompanied by a balanced diet and regular exercise.
While some people may see significant weight loss, the benefits to others may include improved gut health, reduced stress, and better hunger management.
Keep moving and working out a few times per week to keep your muscles, joints, and body healthy. The food we eat gives our bodies the nutrition they need, thus it is always preferable to steer clear of foods that make you feel sluggish and unhappy.
Acupuncture has been used for millennia to treat a variety of health, wellness, and aesthetic issues because it is as tried-and-true as they come.
Expertise is crucial, just like with any specialist treatment. Finding a highly skilled practitioner who can be realistic about what is feasible and create a treatment plan that will meet your needs is essential if you want to benefit from acupuncture.
References/Sources
- Michele Van Hal; Alexander M. Dydyk; Michael S. Green. Acupuncture. Date of Update: July 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532287/
- Shi-Peng Zhu, Li Luo, Ling Zhang, et. al. Acupuncture De-qi: From Characterization to Underlying Mechanism. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:518784. doi: 10.1155/2013/518784. Epub 2013 Sep 8. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24194782/
- Hui Li, Tian He, Qian Xu, Zhe Li, et. al. Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jul 21; 21(27): 8304–8313.
Published online 2015 Jul 21. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i27.8304. - Haifeng Ma, Xia Liu, Ying Wu, et. al. The Intervention Effects of Acupuncture on Fatigue Induced by Exhaustive Physical Exercises: A Metabolomics Investigation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 508302. Published online 2015 Sep 9. doi: 10.1155/2015/508302
- Junyoung Jo, Yoon Jae Lee, and Hyangsook Lee. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jun; 96(23): e7066. Published online 2017 Jun 8. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007066.
- Fengxia Liang, Edwin L. Cooper, Hua Wang, et. al. Acupuncture and Immunity. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 260620. Published online 2015 Aug 5. doi: 10.1155/2015/260620
- Hepatitis B. Date of Review: October 12, 2021. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm
- Kepei Zhang, Shigao Zhou, Chunyan Wang, et. al. Acupuncture on Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Possible Neuroendocrine Mechanisms. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018; 2018: 6409389. Published online 2018 Jun 14. doi: 10.1155/2018/6409389
- Leah Meltz, Daniel Ortiz, and Poney Chiang. The Anatomical Relationship Between Acupoints of the Face and the Trigeminal Nerve. Med Acupunct. August 2020; 32(4): 181–193. Published online 2020 Aug 13. doi: 10.1089/acu.2020.1413
- L Lao, GR Hamilton, J Fu, and BM Berman. Is acupuncture safe: a systematic review of case reports. Year of Published: 2003. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK69580/
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.