The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture has gained acceptance in the United States as a supplemental treatment for numerous health conditions, including addiction, digestive irregularities and menstrual problems, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Help with weight management may also be among the benefits of this treatment. Although acupuncture alone can't melt away the pounds, it may give you an advantage as you work toward reaching a healthy weight. Consult your doctor before beginning acupuncture or any such alternative therapy.
The Procedure
Before treating you, an acupuncture practitioner should evaluate your health, taking into consideration any digestive problems or food-related issues like cravings or habitual overeating. During a treatment session, the acupuncturist inserts fine needles into various points on your body. For weight loss, these are most often points on and around the ear, which are believed to affect the mouth, stomach, adrenal and thyroid glands and endocrine system, Florida's Acupuncture and Massage College website reports; the practitioner may use other points on the body, too. Most acupuncturists choose at least two points for each session. An acupuncturist may also suggest herbs and other natural treatments to help with digestion and cravings, though you should consult your doctor before taking any.
Time Frame
If you need to lose less than 10 pounds, twice-weekly acupuncture treatments may be all you need, the Acupuncture and Massage College notes. A total of 10 treatments over several weeks should be enough. For greater weight loss, your acupuncturist may recommend five treatments weekly, decreasing in frequency over a month. Although acupuncturists usually remove the needles after 15 to 60 minutes, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains, they may also cover the needles with tape to leave them in for several days. For longer-term treatment, some may implant ear seeds, tiny seeds from the vaccaria plant, just under the skin of your ear. You can massage these to help control cravings, celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz adds on his website. Consult your doctor before allowing any such implantation.
Proposed Effects
The basis of traditional Chinese acupuncture is idea that health problems, including excessive weight gain, may be due to disturbances in qi (pronounced "chee"), a type of energy that flows in regular paths through the body. Acupuncture for weight loss aims to correct energy disturbances that affect eating, digestion and weight maintenance. In particular, acupuncturists attribute undesired weight gain to energy flow disturbances in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates many body functions, Oz explains.
Scientific Evidence
Auricular, or ear, acupuncture helped all 20 mildly obese study participants lose varying amounts of weight in a study published in the November 2003 issue of the journal "Experimental Biology and Medicine." Study participants also kept track of their weight, and researchers believe this may have contributed to their success. Acupuncture decreases appetite by stimulating the satiety, or fullness, area of the hypothalamus and by toning the stomach, according to research published in the "International Journal of Neuroscience" in 2006. The treatment also boosts production of the feel-good hormones endorphin and dopamine, helping reduce overeating related to stress and depression.
Considerations
Although acupuncture may promote weight loss, it can't promote weight management on its own. A nutritious, balanced diet and sufficient exercise should still be central to your plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight for the long term; consult your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise regimen. Laws regulating the practice of acupuncture vary by locality. For your safety, work only with a trained and experienced acupuncture practitioner and, if your locality requires licensing, check that your acupuncturist is licensed.
References
- Acupuncture and Massage College: Acupuncture Weight Loss
- Doctor Oz: Acupuncture and Weight Loss
- "Experimental Biology and Medicine"; Effects of Bilateral Auricular Acupuncture Stimulation on Body Weight in Healthy Volunteers and Mildly Obese Patients; T. Shiraishi et al.; 2003
- University of Hawaii: The Treatment of Obesity by Acupuncture
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Acupuncture
- Acupuncture: What is Ear Acupuncture?
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