How Effective Is Acupuncture for Weight Loss?
More and more people are using acupuncture as part of their weight loss regimen. This therapy is safe and has none of the side effects associated with diet pills, bariatric surgery, or crash diets. By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific body points, the therapist can help you slim down and achieve a healthy weight. Acupuncture also helps relieve depression and anxiety, which are often the culprit behind binge eating.
Why Do Traditional Weight Loss Methods Fail?
Three out of four Americans are obese. About 95 percent of those who try to lose weight fail. Weight gain, sluggish metabolism, depression, fatigue, low energy, and thyroid disorders are common side effects of prolonged dieting. Contrary to popular belief, there is no quick fix to weight loss. Most diets fail in the long run. If they worked, obesity wouldn’t be an issue anymore.
Being obese or overweight is not only unsightly, but harmful to your health. Obesity increases the risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Traditional weight loss methods fail because they’re either too restrictive or unsustainable on long term. Additionally, there is always a temptation to return to your old eating habits. Exercise does help, but it can not offset the harmful effects of poor nutrition. Weight loss is even more difficult for those struggling with hypothyroidism, menopause symptoms, and hormonal imbalances.
Acupuncture and Weight Loss
When combined with a balanced diet, acupuncture can bring you closer to your weight loss goals. This healing therapy stimulates the body’s natural “feel good” hormones, which helps reduce food cravings caused by stress and anxiety. Some people notice results after just three sessions.
Acupuncture practitioners believe that weight gain is caused by an imbalance in the body due to a malfunction of the liver and spleen. During a typical session, the therapist will insert fine needles into the body meridians associated with these organs. This helps increase your metabolism, suppresses appetite, and accelerates healing. Acupuncture has been also proven effective in the treatment of eating disorders, fluid retention, and thyroid dysfunction.
