Acupuncture For Losing Weight

In the United States, 68 percent of adults 20 years and older are obese or overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While some dieters turn to standard weight-loss methods such as aerobic exercise, weight training and reducing calories, others are also including alternative treatments such as acupuncture.

Acupuncture has its roots in China and has been used for 3,500 years. It's grown in popularity in the United States since the 1970s with about 12 million visits to acupuncture practitioners every year, according to "Acupuncture Today." In traditional Chinese medicine, obesity is viewed as resulting from a fluid or water disorder and accumulation of fat caused by factors such as poor organ function.

How it Works

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body has 2,000 acupuncture points that are connected by 20 pathways or meridians. Energy or qi flows along these pathways or meridians and each acupuncture point affects the qi that passes through it, according to "Acupuncture Today." You can think of qi as the body's balancer. When positive and negative energy forces (yin and yang) are out of sync, qi balances them to help you stay healthy. Acupuncture along these points helps to improve organ function and blood flow to promote weight loss.

Effects

In a 1998 study in the journal "Australian Family Physician," participants wore a device that stimulated acupuncture points on their ear lobes. Their appetites decreased and they lost a significant amount of weight compared with the control group. The researchers explained that acupuncture stimulates the part of the vagal nerve in the outer ear and increases serotonin levels, which helps to suppress appetite. Acupuncture helps to control stress and depression, factors that can contribute to weight gain. It also improves intestinal function and metabolism to increase weight loss.

Method

During acupuncture, a practitioner inserts long, hair-thin needles into points along your body to stimulate weight loss. The needles are inserted at depths between 1 to 2 inches, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In some cases, a practitioner can use moxibustion, or burning moxa, that comes from chrysanthemum on top of the acupuncture points. In needle acupuncture, most patients feel only a slight prick or no pain at all, while moxibustion creates a pleasant heating sensation, according to "Acupuncture Today."

Safety

Acupuncture is considered a safe procedure. The Cleveland Clinic points out that side effects from acupuncture are much lower than drug treatments or medical procedures for the same health problems. Consult only licensed practitioners and ensure that they use new needles taken from a package for every treatment. The procedure should also take place in a sterile environment. Acupuncture should be only a part of your weight-loss plan. Nutritious meals and regular exercise helps you shed pounds and boost your overall health.