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.

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.

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.