Acupuncture for Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?
If you struggle with your weight, you are not alone. Fortunately, acupuncture may be able to help. Discover how acupuncture for weight loss works today.
There’s a reason that weight loss is always one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions: because a large percentage of people in Canada are overweight or obese and would like to change that.
Whether they’re losing weight for aesthetics or for health reasons, dropping pounds isn’t easy by any means. It takes time, dedication, hard work, self-restraint, and fighting a battle with your metabolism. It’s no wonder people seek extra help from techniques like acupuncture in Scarborough.
Does it actually work, though? Here’s what you need to know.
What Does Acupuncture Do?
During an acupuncture treatment, a specialized acupuncturist will first discuss your goals. As you relax, they’ll place tiny, narrow needles in specific points in your skin.
By identifying and placing needles in unique pressure points, the acupuncturist triggers your body to release endorphins. These endorphins help to relieve stress, pain, and other ailments.
It’s important to ensure that you go to a licensed acupuncturist such as Nature Acupuncture so that they can hold a consultation with you to determine your needs and the best course of treatment for you.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Weight Loss?
Weight gain is a more complex issue than it seems on the surface. It may appear to be a simple matter of exercising too little and eating too much or eating the wrong foods.
The reason it’s so difficult to stop eating too much and exercising too little is because we do those things for a reason. We’re dealing with stress, frustration, boredom, or anxiety, and we seek the quick jolt of joy that comes from a burger, a candy bar, or an evening on the couch.
When acupuncture releases endorphins, it fills the need that a sugar binge otherwise would.
Acupuncture also reduces your stress level, which plays a biological role in weight gain and weight retention. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which increases your appetite, so you keep your cortisol levels low by minimizing your stress.
On top of this, acupuncture can reduce the inflammation in your body. This allows your digestion to run more smoothly, absorbing the nutrients you need and flushing away anything you don’t need. One small study even suggests that acupuncture helps to regulate the hunger hormone.
Does Acupuncture Weight Loss Really Work?
It’s all well and good to say that there are theoretical ways that acupuncture helps with weight loss. But has this actually translated into real results?
Yes, it has. In multiple studies, people who get acupuncture lose more weight than people who don’t when all other factors, or as many as possible, are the same.
Before you toss out your yoga mat and order a pizza, though, there are some limitations to keep in mind.
Acupuncture works well as a way to enhance the results of a healthy diet and exercise regimen. It doesn’t replace those measures. Think of it as an extra boost to help you stay on track: not something to replace the track itself.
How to Get Started with Acupuncture for Weight Loss
If you’re trying to lose weight but you’re finding it hard to stick to a plan or you’ve hit a plateau, acupuncture could be the perfect next step. As with any other type of therapy, your success will depend on who you hire.
When you find the right professional, you’ll be able to get started and see great results. After the procedure, you may start seeing loose skin. Your next target should be going to Em Clinic and Spa for a skin tightening treatment. It will give you the help you need to stay on track with the rest of your weight loss efforts.