Weight Loss

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Weight Loss

Controlling weight is a frustrating process for a lot of people. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can help. Traditional Chinese Medicine has long been helping people lose weight. Following the philosophy of bringing the body into balance, foods are used as another tool to enhance wellness while individual physical and emotional differences are taken into account.

According to Chinese Medicine, the root of excess weight is an imbalance within the body caused by malfunctioning of the spleen and liver organ systems. In Chinese Medicine’s five-element theory, the spleen is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system, ensuring that the food we eat is transformed into Qi ? the vital substance of life. Disharmony of the spleen will have symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool, and feeling of heaviness.

The liver?s job is to keep the flow of your body?s Qi and blood (as well as your emotions) running smoothly. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyle and chronic stress can negatively impact the liver?s ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen and the whole digestive system to function poorly and decrease your metabolism. Liver disharmony can also cause some of the ?triggers? that lead to cravings and compulsive eating.

How does Acupuncture Help?

It is important to address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. Since Acupuncture and Chinese herbs treat the physical, mental and emotional components to any illness, there are several ways that they can benefit you while you are trying to lose weight:

• Regulates Metabolism: Acupuncture also helps to regulate metabolism. A history of irregular eating, overeating and even thyroid dysfunction all contribute to a slow metabolism. Acupuncture can help to increase metabolism by stimulating the thyroid and endocrine glands as your body adjusts to the changes in your diet and exercise. Affecting the endocrine system also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.

• Stops Food Cravings: Regular acupuncture treatments can help curb food cravings, just as it has been proven to help cravings for other addictive substances like tobacco and alcohol. Support from acupuncture helps to reduce cravings and increases the will power to overcome them.

• Helps Digestion: Over time, things like crash diets, irregular eating habits and excessive greasy or fattening foods all take their toll on the digestion. Chronic symptoms such as bloating, gas, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea are all signs that the digestive system is out of balance. Acupuncture can help to harmonize the digestive organs so that you are symptom-free. Proper digestion ensures that you are getting the nutrients you need from your food so you feel less hungry.

• Calming and Relaxing: When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear it stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins have a calming and relaxing effect on the body. Naturally releasing endorphins makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety which can be triggers for emotional eating, overeating and bingeing on fattening foods.

• Cleansing: Acupuncture treatments during weight loss help to cleanse your system. Toxins that have been built up over time from excess weight and adipose tissue can cause symptoms such as fatigue, acne and depression. These can be relieved or eliminated with acupuncture, whether or not you are trying to lose weight.

Nutritional Counseling and Herbal Therapy

In much the same way, dietary recommendations are individualized from a Chinese medical perspective. Many people trying to lose weight struggle with maintaining certain dietary restrictions. This is not merely due to a lack of will power. It is due, in part, to the nutrition and sustenance your body needs. Not everyone is meant to live without carbohydrates. Not everyone is meant to be a vegetarian. Chinese medicine takes into account your personal health and the dietary recommendations that are specific to your constitution. Nutrition plans based on Chinese medicine are made to support not just weight loss, but food cravings, sustained energy and an overall sense of health and well-being.