Acupuncture has steadily gained popularity over the last few decades. Acupuncture involves the insertion of sterilized needles at specific points on the body. Once these needles are inserted strategically, they stimulate nerves in the body that regulate metabolism.
How does acupuncture aid in weight loss?
Acupuncture aids in weight loss by managing hormone production, optimizing digestion, containing appetite, improving metabolism and other body functions attributed to weight loss and obesity. Below we look at each of the above functions to ascertain the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss.
Reducing Appetite
There are two hormones in the body associated with appetite. These are leptin and ghrelin. Ghrelin alerts the brain that you are hungry while leptin does the same when you are full. Acupuncture manipulates the levels of these hormones in your body which suppresses your appetite and helps you curb overeating tendencies.
Acupuncture improves digestion
Using the kidney and the stomach locations as acupuncture points, you can improve the efficiency of your digestive system and improves your nutrient intake. By improving your digestive system, acupuncture helps in relieving constipation and other digestive issues that lead to fat deposition and subsequent weight gain.
Reduces water retention in the body
Using the kidney location as an acupuncture point, you stimulate the nerves of the kidney and the whole endocrine system. This stops water retention in the body helping you shed some pounds.
Eliminates gut inflammation
Inflammation in the gut slows down metabolism and puts a strain on the overall speed of digestion. Acupuncture relieves this inflammation and facilitates a much faster digestive process, which aids in weight loss.
Acupuncture balances hormonal production
Imbalanced hormonal production affects a wide array of body functions including digestion. Acupuncture of the spleen aids in balancing your hormones, which facilitates weight loss.
Boosts overall metabolism
Using acupuncture needles to stimulate the thyroid region, boosts the functionality of your pituitary gland, which is vital for effective metabolism. This increases the rate at which your body burns fat making your daily workouts count even more.
Improves your mood
Research has shown that some people overeat when stressed. Acupuncture induces the release of endorphin (the feel-good hormone), which keeps you calmer and limits the incidences of overeating when stressed.
Why consider acupuncture for weight loss?
For years now scholars have debated the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss and why people should opt for it. However, one of the major reasons why acupuncture is gaining popularity is its ability to provide permanent results without the need for crash diets or invasive surgery. Despite its effectiveness, however, acupuncture does not replace the need to eat healthily and exercise regularly. Acupuncture compliments other healthy living practices for sustained weight loss results.
Sensitive acupuncture points for weight loss
While using acupuncture for weight loss, there are key areas of the body that you should focus on. The focus areas should be related to digestion and food absorption, and they include the stomach and the kidney. You can also do thyroid and endocrine acupuncture to enhance weight loss.
Possible side effects of using acupuncture for weight loss
Acupuncture is a healthy way to facilitate weight loss; however, there are a few side effects that you should expect from the process. These side effects are not life-threatening, and after several sessions, you will overcome them.
Here are some of them;
Soreness
Acupuncture involves needle insertions into your body, which can cause some soreness to some people. The soreness only lasts a few hours depending on the acupuncture points.
Fatigue
Acupuncture is a bit exhausting on the first few sessions. Altering hormonal levels and manipulating metabolism are the main causes of this. However, as you grow into the practice the fatigue eventually reduces.
Today, there are millions of Americans affected by obesity. Acupuncture is a formidable weight loss strategy that can aid permanent weight loss, unlike unhealthy weight management methods such as starvation and dieting, which can cause nutrient deficiencies in the body.
