Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at different points in the body. It is thought that acupuncture works by balancing the flow of energy---called qi or chi---that moves through the body's pathways, according to the Mayo Clinic. Acupuncture is believed to treat many ailments in the body, including addiction, depression, immune dysfunction, digestive disorders and pains such as migraine headaches. Acupuncture can also be used to tackle weight loss by treating multiple areas of the body that, if out of balance, could contribute to weight gain.
Rationale
Weight gain may be the result of disturbed energy flow between the regulating center of the brain---the hypothalamus---and the rest of the body, according to DoctorOz.com, website of Dr. Mehmet Oz, cardiothoracic surgeon, author and supporter of alternative medicine. Acupuncture may help restore the energy flow, help return the body to homeostasis and, as a result, aid in weight loss.
Effects
Acupuncture needles inserted into certain points on the body can aid weight-loss efforts by boosting metabolism, improving digestion, reducing cravings, curbing appetite, improving the way nutrients are used within the body and regulating hormones related to obesity, says Oz. Acupuncture can also aid a person in recognizing when he is full and improve his liver function, which aids in digestion, nutrient processing and fat breakdown, Oz says.
Treatment Procedure
To aid patients in weight control, acupuncturists insert tiny needles in four major ear acupuncture points: the stomach point, the hunger point, the endocrine point and the Shen Men point, says Oz. In some cases, these needles are covered by tape to remain in place for a few days.
Evidence
In a 2005 study of psychiatric patients with psychoactive drug-induced obesity, patients who received a true acupuncture treatment lost weight, while those who received a sham treatment gained weight, according to the Journal of Chinese Medicine. In a 1998 study in the medical journal Australian Family Physician, participants who received acupuncture treatment lost weight and reported a suppressed appetite.
Tips
Avoid treatments such as ear stapling, which are less precise than acupuncture and may contribute to infection, Oz says. Also choose a practitioner who is licensed in your state by looking for "L. Ac." after the practitioner's name and commit to a full treatment of at least 10 acupuncture sessions over a span of a few weeks, Oz recommends.
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