Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. One quarter of all Americans are considered overweight. Nearly $33 billion will be spent annually on weight loss programs. Almost 85 percent of those trying to lose weight will fail. There are many reasons why Americans are getting larger waistlines, but ultimately, the individual can still control their weight.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a non-invasive, safe and effective method for helping with weight loss. Acupuncture is not a “quick fix," but if a person is willing to take control and be held accountable for their actions and decisions, then acupuncture can be very helpful with shedding pounds.
Multiple studies have shown that when acupuncture is combined with traditional methods of weight loss, people lose more weight. Many top UFC fighters like Joanna Jedrzejczyk have turned to acupuncture to support their weight cuts heading into fights. Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body and how it functions differently than Western medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine every cell in the human body is a form of energy. When there is an imbalance of energies throughout the body, then disease or illness may arise. Obesity is a disease that requires balancing.
The three areas that focus on weight loss in Traditional Chinese Medicine are: the spleen, liver and kidney meridians. These are the powerhouses of the body. The kidney meridian, which equates to the endocrine system, is treated to reduce water retention and to rebalance hormone levels. The spleen meridian is targeted to regulate sugar metabolism. The liver meridian is treated to reduce stress, which can lead to binge eating and other unhealthy eating habits. Increased levels of stress can also deplete the hormones that are responsible for metabolism in the body.
Acupuncture for weight loss is not a silver bullet and traditional methods should be used in conjunction with acupuncture. Obviously monitoring the diet and getting proper exercise and rest are all crucial when trying to lose weight. When all these things are done together, losing weight will still take time but can be achieved without extreme difficulty.
