Acupuncture Treatment for Obesity and Weight Control

By this point, acupuncture is fairly well-known – and respected – as a means to manage pain and stress. But acupuncture is also effective at helping patients who struggle with obesity and weight control.

How Does Acupuncture Help with Obesity and Weight Control?

First, we want to point out that acupuncture is not magic. Like any other weight loss attempts, if you don’t commit to healthy lifestyle changes, nothing will help you achieve – and maintain – a healthy weight. What acupuncture does is support these efforts. Here’s how.

The Systems that Lead to Weight Gain

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that people gain weight due to imbalances in one or more of the following areas:

• Spleen and liver
• Endocrine system and kidneys
• Thyroid gland
• Adrenal and ovary glands

To determine the treatment that will best support your weight loss efforts, your acupuncturist considers your full medical history. For example, if you began gaining weight after entering menopause, treatment may focus on the adrenal and ovary glands.

You may have weight control issues in multiple areas. Treatment that focuses on the endocrine system and kidneys helps address water retention. If sugar cravings are an issue, your acupuncturist will likely address the spleen and thyroid gland.

Auricular Acupuncture, aka Ear Stapling

Another acupuncture treatment that helps control weight is auricular acupuncture. Sometimes referred to as ear stapling, this is an effective treatment that helps control cravings (it’s often used with smokers and others who struggle with addiction). In the same way, ear stapling helps control appetite, which supports healthy lifestyle changes.

Acupuncture, Stress, and Weight Control

Many people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight report being stress eaters. As stated above, acupuncture is very effective at controlling stress, as it helps your body release endorphins. These are the “happy” hormones that help regulate mood. It’s why many people choose acupuncture to help manage conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. This is yet another reason acupuncture is believed to help patients struggling with obesity and weight control.

Get an Energy Boost and Sleep Better with Acupuncture

One unexpected benefit of acupuncture is its ability to help control energy levels throughout the day. That means you’re less likely to grab a candy bar or high-calorie energy drink for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Acupuncture also helps control your body’s “fight or flight” response, which in turn aids in sleep. And well-rested people are better equipped to make healthy choices, meaning they’re more likely to turn to healthier foods. They also find it easier to withstand temptations, like coworkers inviting you to happy hour after work when you’d planned a trip to the gym.

If you’d like to learn more about all the ways acupuncture helps support your healthy lifestyle, contact the team at Accurate Acupuncture. We’re happy to answer any questions you have.