Weight Loss & Ear Acupressure

According to traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, if your relationship with food is out of balance, it can indicate a stagnation in the flow of qi, or vital life force. Stress, trauma and fatigue can all cause internal tension, which, in turn, blocks the free flow of qi. Some acupressure treatments for weight loss claim to manipulate specific points located on the ears to stimulate the flow of qi, release blockages and return the body to a state of balance.

Theory

Overwork, exhaustion and a lack of emotional and spiritual fulfillment can all deplete qi. Qi depletion, in turn, can cause you to crave food that's quick and easy to eat, especially food that is loaded with sugars and fats, according to Michael Reed Gach, of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, Calif., in his book "Acupressure for Emotional Healing." The ear acupressure points used to treat food craving work by allowing your body to distribute qi more efficiently to all the internal organs, replenishing your vitality and limiting your cravings for junk food.

Tools

You can access ear acupressure points by simply pressing and holding them with your fingertips, but many acupressure professionals also recommend ear beads, seeds or magnetic "pearls" to help you stimulate points throughout the day. Adhesive tape holds the tiny beads onto your ear on specific key points. When you feel a craving for inappropriate food, you can press on the bead to activate the pressure point, according to The Natural Healing Centre's online article about auricular acupressure.

Research

Research into the effectiveness of ear acupressure for weight loss has demonstrated varying results. In a 1995 study on the weight loss effects of an acupressure device worn on the ear, David B. Allison and colleagues of the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital in New York found that there was no significant difference between weight loss in the study participants who wore the ear device and those given a placebo device worn on the wrist. A 2010 study by Ching Hsieh of the Chang Gung Institute of Technology in Taiwan, published in the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine," showed that ear acupressure, using seeds of the cow soapwort or vaccaria plant reduced body mass index by 1.2 points during the eight weeks of the study. For an individual who is 5 feet 5 inches tall, a BMI loss of 1.2 points would mean a weight loss of approximately 7 lbs.

Considerations

Although ear acupressure points can be effective if you use the correct techniques, it's best to consult a professional acupressure practitioner for a complete diagnosis and treatment. In the United States, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, or NCCAOM, certifies acupressure practitioners. They maintain a searchable online database that can help you find a practitioner near you.

Try This

To try ear acupressure for appetite control, stimulate one of the major acupressure points located near the joint of your jaw, advises the website Holistic Online. Find the point by placing your fingers on your jaw joint, just in front of each ear. Open and close your mouth so you can locate the hinge. Your fingers should be next to a fleshy flap that partially covers the ear opening. A major appetite control point sits on this part of your ear. Take hold of this flap between your thumb and finger and squeeze it firmly for two or three minutes to apply acupressure.