A lot of people dream of having an ideal body weight. There are numerous strategies to accomplish this, including dietary changes, exercise, and even acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine with needles has been reported to provide a number of health benefits, including weight loss.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment that includes placing needles into the body. This needle injection stimulates sensory nerves in the skin and muscles, making it effective for treating chronic pain and other physical disorders. Acupuncture therapy is becoming a well-known additional treatment worldwide.
A healthy human body, according to traditional Chinese medicine, has a balance of yin and yang energy, also known as Qi, or "chi." According to acupuncturists, pain is an indication that there is an imbalance in the body's chi flow. Meridians, or passageways, are acupuncture locations on the body where chi circulates. The idea behind sticking needles into these places is to bring the energy flow back into balance.
Acupuncture needles can activate connective tissue, influencing blood circulation, hormones, nerves, and the immune system. This is considered to improve the balance of physiological and self-healing processes.
Read more: Both Use Pins, These Are Different Dry Needling With Acpuncture
In terms of weight loss, acupuncture is performed by putting needles into areas that are claimed to help in weight loss. Before beginning therapy, the therapist will conduct a health examination to determine the challenges you are experiencing, such as slow metabolism, thyroid abnormalities, or overeating. The therapist will then create an effective treatment plan for you.
To help with weight loss, needles are put into specific places on the body, including:
- Ears, to help reduce appetite
- Calves, if there are problems with the thyroid
A number of studies indicate the benefits of acupuncture for weight loss, including:
- A small study in Japan found that acupuncture in the ear area can successfully alter levels of the hormone ghrelin, which causes appetite. The study participants in the acupuncture group lost more weight than the control group.
- A 2019 review of acupuncture for weight loss in Asians found that it was helpful at reducing waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), but only when combined with diet and exercise.
Although a number of studies have reported excellent results with acupuncture for weight loss, experts believe that more extensive research is required to assess the effectiveness and side effects of acupuncture for weight loss.
Experts believe that acupuncture therapy is more successful when combined with nutrition management, regular exercise, and adequate stress management.
Read more: Can Pregnant Women Undergo Acpuncture Therapy?
Simple Tips for Effective Weight Loss
There are several strategies to lose weight, depending on your health and lifestyle. There are several methods to achieve weight loss, such as:
- Regular exercise, 150 minutes per week
- Eat healthy food with balanced nutrition
- Increase consumption of fruit and vegetables
- Reduce added sugar intake
- Reduce fatty foods
- Manage stress well
Acupuncture can contribute to weight loss, but it must be supported with a balanced lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and consistent physical activity. If you want to make plans for your weight loss, you can either visit a doctor, a dietician, or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
Tee-Melegrito. (2023). What to know about acupuncture for weight loss. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/acupuncture-for-weight-loss
Curtis, L. (2024). Acupuncture for Weight Loss. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss-5088178
Frothingham, S. (2023). Acupuncture for Weight Loss. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/acupuncture-for-weight-loss
Yvette, B. (2023). How does acupuncture work?. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488