Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine method of inserting tiny needles into certain body points to treat a number of health conditions, and it has been practiced over thousands of years. In the recent past, acupuncture has been in the news as a possible weight loss treatment. Though this may be considered unorthodox, a lot of individuals are resorting to acupuncture as a complementary therapy to help them lose weight. However, does acupuncture really help in weight loss, and if so, and how does it work? This article will discuss the relationship that exists between acupuncture and weight loss and the science behind it.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is founded on the assumption that the body possesses an energy flow known as qi (pronounced chee) which flows along pathways referred to as meridians. Blockage or disruption of this energy may cause sickness or unease. Acupuncture seeks to balance the energy and enhance the general well-being by inserting needles at certain points on these meridians.
It is a minimally invasive procedure and is safe to perform by a licensed professional. A lot of patients describe that they feel relaxed and calm during and after acupuncture sessions. Despite the fact that acupuncture is most often applied to treat pain, stress, and chronic conditions, its weight loss potential is one of the areas of increasing interest.
Can Acupuncture Really Help with Weight Loss?
Although acupuncture is not a miracle for weight loss, there are some studies that indicate that it might assist individuals in losing weight by getting rid of the causative factors that lead to weight gain.
Here are some ways acupuncture may support weight loss:
Balancing Hormones and Appetite Regulation
Hunger and satiety (feeling full) control is one of the most important aspects of weight management. Some research indicates that acupuncture can be used to regulate the hormones that control the feeling of hunger, such as ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin makes you hungry and leptin tells your brain that you are full. Practitioners have the potential to affect these hormones by stimulating certain acupuncture points, which can help eliminate cravings and overeating.
As an example, some of the acupuncture points are believed to aid the digestive system, minimize cravings, and boost metabolism. This may result in healthier eating habits so it will be easier to be in a calorie deficit, which is one of the main causes of weight loss.
Reducing Stress and Cortisol Levels
Chronic stress is one of the biggest contributors to weight gain, particularly abdominal fat. When a person is stressed, cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the body to store fat, especially around the waist, is released. Acupuncture has been found to aid in stress reduction and cortisol level reduction, which could aid in the reduction of weight gain due to stress.
Acupuncture can possibly assist people in coping with stress more effectively by stimulating particular acupuncture points that reduce stress and relax the body, which can subsequently result in better eating habits and less emotional eating.
Improving Metabolism and Digestion
It is also believed that acupuncture aids in enhancing the metabolism and digestive system of the body. There are some studies that indicate that acupuncture can help stimulate the digestive system and help the body process food in a more efficient way so that it does not store food as fat but as energy. In this regard, acupuncture can contribute to weight loss indirectly by enhancing proper digestion and an improved metabolism.
Acupuncture can also help to alleviate bloating and constipation as well as other digestive problems that can cause a person to feel sluggish or uncomfortable, and thus, it could help them to manage their weight better.
Enhancing Physical Activity and Energy Levels
Acupuncture has also been found to increase energy and decrease fatigue; this can be particularly useful to people who experience low energy levels in their weight loss process. More energy and vitality will help people to be more active, which is essential to burn calories and lose weight. Either by encouraging a person to work out more or just by making them feel less tired throughout the day, acupuncture may give a person a boost of energy that will help them lose weight.
Supporting Emotional Well-Being
In most individuals, emotional and psychological issues contribute to overeating and gaining weight. Mental health and emotional well-being can be addressed with the help of acupuncture, since it can assist with such problems as anxiety, depression, and emotional eating. Acupuncture can also help people control their emotions and feel better, which can decrease the chances of using food as a coping mechanism.
What Does the Research Say?
Studies of acupuncture and weight loss are still in their infancy; however, some encouraging results have been shown. In some studies, acupuncture has been demonstrated to help in appetite suppression, digestion, and healthy weight loss. A research article published in the International Journal of Obesity revealed that acupuncture therapy led to a significant reduction in weight among a group of overweight individuals, especially when coupled with dietary modification and exercise.
It should be noted, though, that acupuncture can only aid in weight loss, but it cannot replace a healthy diet and exercise. Acupuncture is not a solution in itself but should be regarded as a complementary therapy that may help improve other weight loss attempts.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
The sessions of acupuncture that one needs to lose weight depend on the individual. There are those who can begin to experience changes after only a few sessions, and there are those who require more sessions to experience noticeable changes. Most acupuncture practitioners advise that a patient should start with one or two sessions per week, and then increase or decrease the frequency depending on the progress.
At your sessions, the acupuncturist will evaluate your needs and objectives. They can also recommend diet and lifestyle modifications to accompany the acupuncture treatments and enable you to reach your weight loss targets more efficiently.
Like any weight loss plan, you should consult a healthcare professional before starting to undergo acupuncture treatments, particularly in the event that you have some underlying medical conditions. Although acupuncture has its potential, it is most effective when combined with other methods of weight loss to achieve long-term health and wellness.