Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the biggest challenges faced by Canadians today. In their battle to lose weight, Canadians spend at least 6 billion dollars yearly on diet plans, surgeries, and pills. A study done by Memorial University in St John’s revealed that the obesity rate has tripled since 1985. Luckily acupuncture has once more shown helpful to be a safe and affordable treatment option for overcoming health issues.
During acupuncture, thin sterile needles are inserted at different energy pathways, or acupressure points, on the body to stimulate a natural flow of qi (vital energy), leaving the body ‘feeling positive’. It stimulates the nervous system, which in turn encourages the release of neurochemicals that create a sense of happiness and counteract anxiety, feelings of stress, and depression.
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How Acupuncture Aids Weight Loss
Based on ancient Chinese medicine, a person becomes overweight due to the disruption in the function of the abdominal organ and digestive system. To facilitate weight loss, trained acupuncturists focus on specific acupressure points that are connected to parts of the body that are essential for weight loss. This includes the thyroid gland and spleen which both play an important role in balancing hormones and sugar levels. The kidneys and endocrine system are also focused on ensuring that an appropriate balance of essential minerals and liquids is maintained. Females, may have their ovary glands and adrenal glands points included due to weight gain from Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or menopause.
There is no universal response to treatment. Some people will see improvement after a few visits while others will need a little more persistence. The key acupressure points that are utilized for weight loss are:
Ear Point
Ear acupuncture increases serotonin levels in the body and stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve. The vagal nerve relays nerve fibers to the intestinal tract, heart, trachea, lung and esophagus. It also delivers sensory information to nervous tissues from the tongue, ear, pharynx, and larynx. Ear acupuncture works to enhance tone in the involuntary muscles in the stomach which can suppress one’s appetite to facilitate weight loss. The needles are generally left in place for a short time and the amount of sessions required may vary with each person. For more information on ear acupuncture, visit: Ear Acupuncture is an Effective Way to Naturally Suppress the Appetite.
Abdomen Point
This acupressure point is located about 3 centimeters underneath the navel. This point is very important for weight loss. When stimulated it eases constipation and improves the function of the digestive system and enhances its endurance. Massaging the area daily for 2 to 3 minutes is very beneficial.
Closing Note
It’s important to seek the services of a trained acupuncturist if you’re in need of treatment for weight loss. Decreasing the total amount of calories in your daily meals will also help you to see better results. The important thing to remember is that acupuncture is a support system, therefore you will need to do your part including regular exercise.