Acupuncture & Weight Loss

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical theory in which extremely fine needles are inserted into specified locations on the body. Acupuncture is used for pain management and therapeutic applications. Acupuncture treatments, combined with diet and exercise, can produce desired weight loss results. In a 2003 study from The Journal of Medical Acupuncture, patients who participated in acupuncture lost three times the weight of those who did not.

Time Frame

Licensed Acupuncturist Joyce Marley explains that acupuncture patients are usually scheduled for treatments twice per week until the desired weight loss has been obtained. Each session takes between 45 minutes and one hour. Acupuncturists will spend more time on the first treatment, Marley says, to identify the specific body imbalances of the patient and determine which acupuncture points to use. The frequency and number of treatments will vary depending on the amount of weight the patient wants to lose.

Method

Depending on the symptoms of the patient, acupuncturists use different acupuncture points. For example, the desire to overeat, water retention and impulsive eating will be treated in different areas on the body. Problems such as sugar or hormonal imbalances are also addressed. During the acupuncture session, small and flexible needles will be inserted into points determined by the needs of the patient. According to Acupuncture-Services.com, most patients do not report experiencing any pain.

Dietary Changes

According to Acufinder.com, combining healthy eating and diet supplementation with acupuncture treatments improves weight loss results. Patients are advised to consume more bitter and sour foods and avoid sweet, salty and greasy foods to aid in weight loss. Suggested herbs are shan zha, shen qu, lai fu zi, ban xia and lian qiao. These herbs are available as a tea for easier consumption.

Abdominal Massage

Traditional Chinese medicine suggests combining abdominal massages with acupuncture treatments to improve the digestion and absorption of food, reports Acufinder.com. This can be done by the patient to stimulate the stomach, kidneys and spleen, to aid weight loss. An acupuncturist will review this method with the patient and advise the frequency at which it should be performed as part of the treatment.

Risks

Laws cited on accupuncture.com state that because acupuncture is considered an invasive procedure, the needles are required to be sterilized before use. Some practices may choose to disregard this law, and could risk transmitting infectious diseases to the patient. Other injuries could occur, such as nerve damage, lung puncturing or kidney damage. Pregnant women should avoid acupuncture on certain points, says Acufinder.com, because of the risk of premature labor.