Acupuncture for weight loss: How can it help?

Name: Juvemed Wellness
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Acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice with over 2,500 years of history, is gaining recognition as a helpful weight-management tool. While not a cure-all, incorporating acupuncture, acupressure, and similar therapies may improve the results of a holistic weight-loss plan by addressing the physical and mental aspects of weight management.

In this post, we introduce the many potential benefits of acupuncture for weight loss and the complementary solutions that support maintaining a healthy weight.

How Acupuncture Aids in Weight Loss?

According to conventional Chinese thinking, acupuncture improves internal balance by controlling the body’s “qi” (vital energy) flow through the meridians. Also, in view of contemporary science, acupuncture affects biological systems, including the digestive, endocrine, and neurological systems.

Thin, sterile needles used during an acupuncture session can affect mood, appetite, metabolism, and stress levels by stimulating nerves, enhancing circulation, and triggering the release of hormones like endorphins and serotonin when put into particular points in the body.

In short, several key mechanisms explain acupuncture’s potential for weight loss as follows:

1. Improvement of Metabolism

Acupuncture facilitates the burning of calories and increases the body’s metabolic rate. Additionally, some methods include electro-acupuncture, which involves passing a small electric current through the needles to hasten the breakdown of fat, especially saturated fat. Practitioners may also apply cupping therapy to improve fat decomposition.

2. Suppression of Appetite

According to several studies, acupuncture may impact hormones that control hunger, including ghrelin and leptin, which may reduce desire and the propensity for overeating or snacking. After several sessions, patients frequently report feeling fuller sooner and having less food cravings.

3. Endocrine and Digestive Control

Acupuncture enhances nutrient absorption, decreases water retention, and improves digestion by focusing on particular acupoints associated with the stomach, spleen, and liver. Furthermore, there may be advantages in insulin sensitivity and glucose management, which could improve total energy balance.

Furthermore, according to new research, there can be advantages in insulin sensitivity and glucose management, which could improve total energy balance.

Lifestyle and Psychological Assistance

By addressing obstacles to leading a healthy lifestyle, acupuncture provides several advantages that may support weight loss:

Mood Regulation: By influencing neurotransmitter levels such as dopamine and serotonin, acupuncture may improve emotional health and lessen emotional eating.
Stress Reduction: Acupuncture can reduce belly fat growth and enhance dietary adherence by lowering stress and cortisol levels.
Pain Relief: Acupuncture can improve mobility and help people stay more physically engaged by effectively treating chronic pain.
Better sleep, which is associated with managing hunger hormones, can support sleep Improvement: More regular and disciplined weight reduction practices.

Auricular Acupuncture, along with Acupressure

Auricular acupuncture involves stimulating acupoints on the ear that represent various organs. Following treatment sessions, practitioners may apply tiny seeds on adhesive plasters to these locations to extend the therapeutic impact. Periodically pressing on these seeds can promote continuous fat loss and aid in controlling the appetite.

Acupressure may also provide comparable advantages, including stress reduction, metabolism stimulation, and hunger control, but it uses manual pressure on acupressure points rather than needles. The following are typical acupressure spots for weight loss:

Below the kneecap, Zusanli (ST36): promotes digestion
Above the inner ankle, Sanyinjiao (SP6) controls the abdominal organs.
Above the navel, Zhongwan (CV12) promotes stomach function.
Above the kneecap, Xuehai (SP10) aids in blood sugar regulation.
Renzhong (GV26), located between the nose and the lip, affects fat metabolism.

Research and Evidence about Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Numerous researches indicate that acupuncture can lower body weight, waist circumference, and BMI, particularly when paired with lifestyle modifications.

According to a 2023 review, acupuncture may affect metabolic hormones, inflammatory indicators, and the neurological system, which could aid in weight loss, especially when combined with low-carb diets. Additionally, recent research shows that acupuncture may regulate the hypothalamus, balance autonomic nervous system activity, and influence hormones like leptin and ghrelin, as well as inflammation and brain-gut signaling—all of which affect metabolism and appetite control.

One study even found that people lost weight after just a week of ear acupuncture, possibly because it helped curb appetite. Notwithstanding these results, professionals recommend considering acupuncture an additional treatment, not a replacement for behavioral, dietary, and activity changes, despite these findings.

The Procedure of acupuncture for weight loss

A typical acupuncture weight loss routine could consist of:

A medical evaluation to determine the underlying causes (such as emotional eating or a sluggish metabolism)
Placing tiny needles at the strategic body or ear locations
15 to 30 minutes each session of needle retention
Additional treatments, including acupressure, cupping, or electro-needle stimulation
The outcomes may differ. Over several weeks, most programs call for two to three sessions per week.

In 8 weeks, many start to notice improvements, especially when combined with consistent exercise and nutritional changes.

TCM Herbal Treatments and Supplemental Foods

The following TCM-based food supplements can improve the benefits of acupuncture:

Herbal Teas: Hawthorn and Lotus Leaf Tea: Reduces absorption of fat
Tea with hawthorn and chrysanthemums: Promotes fat breakdown and digestion
Medicinal Foods: Winter Melon Porridge: Enhances digestion and reduces water retention

Instead of being utilized only to lose weight, these cures work best when incorporated into a daily diet.

Risks & Safety of Acupuncture for weight loss

In general, acupuncture is regarded as safe when administered by qualified professionals. If there are any side effects, they are often minor:

Soreness or bruises
Lack of energy or dizziness
Acupuncture is not advised for people with infections.
People suffering from extreme neutropenia
Pacemaker or psychotic patients

Before starting therapy, always get advice from a qualified acupuncturist/doctor.

Cost and Accessibility

The cost of acupuncture varies by practitioner and location, but it usually costs $100 or more per session. Specific insurance policies may cover a portion of the cost.

Integrating Acupuncture into Your Weight Loss Journey

We advise you to combine acupuncture with the following to optimize results.

Balanced nutrition
Regular exercise
Sufficient sleep and rest
Techniques for managing stress

Practitioners may also provide lifestyle coaching and food recommendations to help patients further on their path to well-being.

Concluding remarks

In conclusion, acupuncture offers a viable complementary approach to weight management by targeting physiological processes like metabolism and hunger and essential lifestyle aspects like stress, mood, and sleep. Although it’s not a stand-alone remedy, incorporating it into a comprehensive weight-loss plan that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet may improve outcomes.

For that purpose, we at Juvemed Wellness recognize that treating the underlying causes of health issues is the key to achieving true wellness. Our holistic care combines time-honored Eastern methods with evidence-based Western practices to help you achieve lasting weight loss and overall well-being. So, Take the first step today and discover how acupuncture can be a powerful ally in your journey toward lasting weight loss and vibrant health.