Can Acupuncture Help Me Lose Weight?

One of the most difficult things that we have to deal with on a regular basis is problems with our weight.  For many of us, this is been a problem that we have been dealing with for most of our lives.  It may have been that we were even heavy when we were children and because of habits that we have had since we were young, it may be difficult for us not to overeat.  Add to that the general lifestyle that most of us lead which is busy and full of sugary snacks and fast food and it's little wonder that we have a problem with our weight.

One thing that can help with weight loss and suppressing our appetite is the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture.  Although most people think of acupuncture as being something that helps with general health and the relief of pain, it can also do a lot to help us with our weight loss efforts.  It is true that acupuncture is a great method of working with our health naturally but, isn't taking care of our weight also a part of our natural health?  Let's take a look at acupuncture and weight loss and see what it can do for you.

Acupuncture is a way of bringing our body back into balance, a natural balance that our body needs.  According to traditional Chinese medicine, all of us have channels in our body which funnel energy from one part of our body into another.  If our body is in balance, we are able to enjoy a natural flow of this energy, otherwise known as Chi.  Acupuncture is able to manipulate the flow of energy that is within our body through the insertion of hair thin needles.  If this energy is disrupted in some cases, it can help us by suppressing the energy as well.  It does this through acupuncture and also helps by suppressing our appetite.

Many people who go in for acupuncture for pain or general healing may also be able to enjoy the benefits of a suppressed appetite through acupuncture as well.  Your acupuncturist will be able to give you assistance and advice as far as this is concerned.  What you will probably find, however, is that by reducing your appetite through acupuncture, you are able to eat less on a regular basis and maintain a healthier weight.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

It's hard to meet anyone that is not at least a little bit concerned about their weight.  The society that we live in as well as the type of lifestyle that many of us keep has led to an epidemic of weight gain that all of us are suffering from.  Even those of us who are able to maintain a fairly lean lifestyle still struggle because of the difficulty of eating a healthy diet and maintaining our weight.  There are some things that can be done, however, in order to help curb your appetite and to lose the extra pounds.  Acupuncture is one of these.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that has been done for thousands of years.  Even though it spread throughout many areas of Asia, it really has only become popular in the Western world in the past several decades.  Since that time, many tests have revealed that there is a lot of truth in what acupuncture is able to do for us as individuals.  In recent years, it has also been discovered that a natural balance in the body is one way for you to be able to combat weight gain and problems with overeating.  Acupuncture is a natural way to maintain balance in the body so they work hand-in-hand.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, we all have an energy about us that is typically known as Chi.  This energy has two basic parts that are opposite to each other but when they work in balance they give us the life force that we need.  By manipulating certain parts of our body with acupuncture needles we are able to maintain the flow of energy and to find that balance that our body needs.  This can do everything for us from removing pain and depression to helping us to maintain a healthy weight.

So, if you have been struggling with weight gain or have a difficulty with overeating, acupuncture can help you in several different ways.  Not only can it bring you back into a balanced state where your body will work better as a unit, it can also help by suppressing our appetite and making it easier for us to maintain a healthy weight.  Although it will still take willpower on our part to a certain extent, by using acupuncture to maintain healthy weight, you will be giving your self some help along the way.

Acupuncture - an Old Cure with a New Twist

There are so many different ways that you can take care of your health and many of them can be taken care of naturally.  One method that has been used for thousands of years and originally came from China is that of acupuncture.  Although acupuncture is gaining in popularity in Western cultures, it is still basically misunderstood by many people who have never been through the process.  If you are considering having some treatments done, here are some things that you may want to know before your first visit and what you can expect from your treatment by an acupuncturist.

More than likely, you will have to go through a series of visits whenever you visit the acupuncturist.  The first visit may not actually have any treatments involved at all unless the problem that you are trying to deal with is fairly routine.  The doctor will take a lot of time to ask you questions about your personal circumstances, what it is that you're trying to have healed and just generally trying to find out about your overall health.  This will give him an idea of the type of treatment that he will give to you as well as any problems that may need to be taken into consideration.

Many people that are not familiar with acupuncture are very nervous about problems that may come up during the treatment.  Let me put your mind at ease.  Acupuncture is one natural treatment that rarely ever causes any problems for the individual undergoing the treatment.  In fact, the only real problems that occur as a result of acupuncture, typically occur because of the acupuncturist not taking care with the needles that he uses.  As long as they use clean, prepackaged needles and are careful to clean the area where they are inserted, there is little for you to worry about at all.

Acupuncture has been proven to work on a number of different problems that you may be dealing with that range from a wide variety of pain problems to a difficulty in getting pregnant.  Some people even use acupuncture in order to lose weight!  Although it is still not accepted as widely as modern medical practices, it still has a place as far as natural medicine is concerned.  It has also proven to work in many cases by studies done in the scientific community.

Does Acupuncture Really Work?

Things don't always necessarily need to be new in order to be helpful.  This is true in a lot of areas in life and is also true when it comes to certain types of medical treatments.  As a matter of fact, there were treatments that were being performed thousands of years ago in Asia that still have some medical benefits, even today.  One of those is the practice of acupuncture, something that is becoming more popular in Western society today.  What exactly is acupuncture and how can it help you with your health?

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine in which small, hair sized needles are inserted into the body at specific locations in order to alter the flow of energy.  These channels which, according to Chinese medicine, run through the body keep everything in line and balanced.  If one of these should happen to get out of balance, however, it could cause a problem in the entire body and depending on where the imbalance occurred, it could affect a specific area of the body.  This is really the essence of yin and yang, the two forces which regulate almost everything within the human body.

Many people are nervous about going to the acupuncturist but, as a matter of fact, it is actually one of the safest forms of medical treatment that there is.  In fact, there are very few problems that can occur as long as a few safety guidelines are followed by a doctor.  This would include such things as only using prepackaged, sterile needles and, of course, understanding what they are doing so that the needles are inserted in the proper areas.

Although it has not been totally embraced by all areas of the medical community, acupuncture is actually a relatively safe way for you to enhance your health through the use of natural medicine.  Some of the studies that have been done on acupuncture actually show that it does contain some benefit and that it causes certain changes in a person's physiology that may help them in the healing process.

So, if you're having a difficult time with any number of things physically, acupuncture may be able to help you to get back on the road to better health.  Even though it is not a total replacement for traditional medicine, it can still enhance your ability to live a healthy life.

A Primer on Medical Acupuncture

Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word “acupuncture”. It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, even downright horror. The fact is, however, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people. Properly used, it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue.

How does needle puncture work?

Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. This energy, called Qi, circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. Much like plumbing, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, causing health problems. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow.

It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, and microscopic connective tissue changes.

What risks and side effects are of concern?

The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Results are what are truly important. However, it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely.

Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, acupuncture may have some side effects. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. For needle puncture, there is a risk of injury, rare infections, minor bleeding, small bruises, and some dizziness.

You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations.

How do treatments go?

An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body’s current state. Multiple pressure points are palpated, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, but no real pain.

Right after each acupuncture session, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. The response to acupuncture is very individual. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. For some patients, the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.

You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.

The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide.

A Quick-Start guide to Acupuncture

Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease. Needling is a relatively safe, beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, improve healing, and increase general well-being. But exactly how is this procedure done and what sort of benefits can be obtained?

Procedure for Needle Puncture

There are two broad categories of acupuncture practice today, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. Both have their merits, so the choice is individual. The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension.

In TCM, practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, or energy flow, and the meridians in which they travel. They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points. Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years.

In medical acupuncture, the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, but on anatomic data. These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. Nevertheless, many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method.

Conditions for Puncture Application

There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture. The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation, anxiety to weight loss. Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, therefore amenable to needle therapy. Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain.

Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. Migraines, premenstrual syndrome, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuralgias are but a few examples. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, called the gate-control theory of pain. It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers.

Expected Puncture Session Result

It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. After undergoing a needle puncture regimen, the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies.

A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition. Results also vary, so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. In general, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key.

In modern medicine, the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again. Modern practice guidelines make it effective, reproducible, and safe. It is a gift of healing form ancient sages that has the potential to bring relief to millions of people.

Acupuncture and Autism

Studies have shown that there is an increase in the number of children that have been diagnosed with autism. Until now, doctors have not yet found a cure to this illness which is why some parents want to experiment with alternative forms of treatment and one example is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach in treating and preventing certain diseases. Its main tool are very thin needles that are inserted to targeted points in the body. The body has about 400 of them linked through a system known as meridians or pathways. Once these are stimulated, these are supposed to create balance in the body.

Autism on the other hand is a brain disorder that is long term. This disease is characterized by deficits in language, social communication and cognition. Children who are diagnosed with this illness may also suffer from secondary problems such as aggression, irritability, stereotypes, hyperactivity, negativism, volatile emotions, temper tantrums, short attention span and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Preliminary studies have shown that acupuncture may provide symptomatic relief to children suffering from autism. Although difficult at first, it is believed that it is rewarding in the long run. This is because while conventional therapy and treatment requires that the child stay still, acupuncture doesn’t. Some say it’s a quick prick at the vital points in the body.

A group of children in the US participated in a test to see how effective acupuncture is among children. There are 22 respondents and each of them was given the treatment once every other day for four months.

After the treatment 20 out of the 22 respondents showed remarkable improvement. In fact 2 of them has cerebral blood flow.  The only thing that did not change prior to treatment and after was the blood flow between the left and right cerebrum as it showed no differences.

Aside from traditional acupuncture to help children with autism, a preliminary study in Hong Kong is trying to see if tongue acupuncture can produce better results.

Results have showed that of 30 respondents in the test, majority showed functional improvement of various degrees depending on the age and severity of their disabilities. Some improvement was noticeable within a few TAC sessions, especially for drooling, spasticity (scissoring or tiptoeing), ataxia, and poor balance in walking. Functional improvement was noted after one to two courses of TAC. Most children tolerated TAC well, with only occasional pain and minor bleeding in some patients.

The reason why tongue acupuncture is being experimented with is because there is a connection between the tongue and the heart through the meridians that spread to all the organs in the body. It is believed that the points on the tongue can influence the state of the other body organs thus giving relief to the one suffering from autism.

But many believe that acupuncture alone cannot help autism sufferers. It has to be combined with other things like maintaining a certain diet to help improve one’s mood and communication schools. Although it is only short term, it is better than nothing until a cure is found.

When will the cure be found? Only time can tell as there are many other questions that have to be answered in order for doctors to further understand neurological disabilities. Doctors who are conducting research believe that an interdisciplinary approach is needed given that acupuncture has shown positive results in helping children with autism.