Acupuncture Treatment for Weight Loss in Frisco TX: How Does It Work?

Losing weight is based on making sure you are expending more calories than you are consuming in the form of food.

If you have been dieting and exercising, but don’t seem to be able to lose weight, it might be your metabolism that stands in your way. If your metabolism is slow for hormonal or other medical reasons, you will have trouble losing weight even if you do everything you know should be taking off the pounds.

Dr. Yin, of Yin’s Clinic, can create a customized plan for you to help you lose weight. This plan can include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and other services.

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What is Acupuncture?

You may have heard of acupuncture a lot of times, but how exactly does it work? A complementary medical practice, acupuncture aims to stimulate specific body points to alleviate pain and treat different health conditions. This is done using a needle that penetrates the skin.

Treating various conditions through acupuncture originates from the belief in Chinese medicine that the disruptions of qi or energy flow cause diseases. Stimulating acupuncture points releases the qi; hence the treatment of certain illnesses.

Over the years, acupuncture has become one of the popular options to treat depression, anxiety, fertility problems, digestive disorders, allergies, pain, and many more conditions.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

The media is filled with fad diets. According to the hype, all you need to do is stop eating this, or drink that, or count these calories, and you will end up at the weight you want to be. Some of these diets even work reasonably well, in the short term. The trouble is that sticking to a fad diet over the long run is nearly impossible. In some cases, it can even be dangerous, as many of these do not provide a full complement of essential nutrients.

In reality, there is no magic formula for attaining your weight loss goals. Reaching and maintaining proper body weight is usually brought about through a trial and error system to find your personal optimal combination of diet, exercise, and healthy attitude. Each person’s body is different, and each case requires expertise in determining that individualized perfect balance.

At Yin’s Acupuncture Clinic, we pride ourselves in using herbal medicine and acupuncture to provide vital assistance with your journey towards achieving your desired weight loss.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Weight Control

Many of us eat for emotional reasons. When you feel sad or depressed, you might eat in an attempt to make yourself feel good. Inactivity and the availability of copious amounts of “fast” and sugar-loaded food also contribute to the high number of overweight people in the United States.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the belief is that excessive weight gains are caused mainly by an imbalance in the body due to a malfunction of the spleen and liver organ systems.

Skilled acupuncture practitioners will zero in on specific body areas to effect weight loss. Among these are the endocrine system and kidneys, which are addressed to treat water retention and to stimulate nerve and hormonal rebalance. The spleen and thyroid gland are also targeted to effect sugar and hormonal rebalancing.

Finally, the adrenal and ovary glands are included to treat weight gain due to menopause or Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Acupuncture for weight loss works on different levels. Acupuncture can stimulate the body’s production of serotonin and endorphins. Thereby relaxing the person so they can avoid stress eating.

Acupuncture has also been shown to improve the muscle tone of the gut to decrease hunger.

Furthermore, acupuncture affects the hypothalamus which among many other things, plays a large role in the mechanisms of hunger.

Some people are anxiety eaters. TCM is particularly helpful in these cases because of its centering, calming and balancing function. Once stress is relieved, the desire to eat for comfort is lessened.

Dr. Yin has always said: “There is no magical cure for weight loss!” Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are complementary therapies. An overweight or obese person must be willing to make a deep, long-term commitment to controlling their weight. Any therapy for weight control must be combined with a proper diet and exercise.

Ear Acupuncture

Ear acupuncture, or auricular acupuncture, is very effective for weight control. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels. Both of these actions increase the smooth muscle tone of the stomach, thereby suppressing appetite.

TCM also recommends daily brisk walking and swimming as gentle forms of exercise for effective weight control.

When acupuncture and herbology work together in a gentle detox, the body releases built-up poisons that have accumulated from poor nutrition, stress, and other lifestyle factors. Once the toxins are gone and the Qi is flowing, the body begins to naturally crave healthier foods. Poor choices will make you feel heavy and drained, while nutritious foods keep you energized and relaxed.

Western studies show that acupuncture has a dramatic effect on many systems of the body, including the brain and central nervous system. Acupuncture appears to help regulate metabolism, causing a sort of reset that helps you burn calories more efficiently. It also improves liver functionality, helping you to more effectively use nutrients.

One of the most intriguing aspects of acupuncture and weight loss is that it appears to help curb cravings and minimize emotional eating. Acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good brain chemicals associated with excitement and joy. In the aftermath of an endorphin flood, the body tends to relax into a sleepy, happy state that can last for days. This process can short-circuit the anxiety responses that tend to cause stress-based eating.

Traditional Chinese Medicine makes the following dietary recommendations:

  • Eat small meals
  • Eat warmed, fresh cooked food
  • Avoid cold drinks and frozen food
  • Avoid fried foods
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Avoid anything with added sugar
  • Avoid fast food and junk food

How many sessions before noticing improvement?

A complete course of treatment is 20 to 30 sessions, 1 to 3 sessions a week. The measure of improvement depends on the individual. Factors such as diet, exercise and lifestyle also contribute to the effectiveness of the treatments.

Noticeable results are usually achieved after 6 to 8 sessions. A session takes about 60 minutes.

We will also recommend herbal supplements as well as diet and lifestyle changes in order to solidify the effectiveness of the treatments.

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Hours

MON - FRI: 9am to 6pm
SAT: 9am to 1pm

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(972) 668-2626

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Office

5899 Preston Rd Building 8, Suite 801, Frisco, TX 75034