Weight Loss Through Acupuncture – Part 1

Acupuncture, one of the most commonly used medical procedures in the world, has origins in ancient China. Using acupuncture to attain weight loss became popular in 2003 when CNN reported success stories from weight loss clinics in China.

China has experienced an increase in obesity with the introduction and popularity of Western diet choices. The Standard American Diet often consists of too much protein, too much fat, too much sugar and not enough fruits and vegetables. Even when Americans eat fruits and vegetables they are frequently canned and over cooked leaving them without any nutritional value and no live enzymes.

The Asian cultures routinely practiced acupuncture medicine before it was made popular in the West, and also used it to assist with weight loss. Chinese medical theory says that overweight people have an unbalanced digestive system, and through the use of fine needles to open blocked energy pathways, they are able to rebalance the system with the final result of weight loss.

Acupuncture has been shown to strengthen the digestive system, control the appetite and may also improve metabolism causing you to burn calories more quickly. Weight loss has always been a balance between burning more calories than you eat. Acupuncture offers another system to decrease intake and burn more calories. (1)

During the procedure a trained practitioner will use thin stainless steel needles under sterile conditions. The needles are sometimes combined with lasers or electrical stimulation. Other times the practitioner will manipulate the needles manually to produce the desired results. The needles are then left in place for up to 30 minutes while the client relaxes in the practitioner’s office.

References:

(1) International Journal of Neuroscience; THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY BY ACUPUNCTURE

http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/The%20Treatment%20of%20Obesity%20By%20Acupuncture.pdf