The short answer is “YES!” acupuncture can help with weight loss- but the true answer is much more involved and requires several more questions in order to decide how to best achieve effective weight loss.
Acupuncture can be an effective “assistant” to weight loss and weight maintenance but first, we must identify the factors that contribute to a weight problem.
Many Factors Affect Weight Loss
There are several factors when considering acupuncture as part of a weight loss plan. For example,
- Is the weight gain due to poor dietary and exercise habits?
- Is there a metabolic function issue that needs to be addressed?
- Are there psychological factors contributing to the inability to lose weight?
- Is there a hormonal or thyroid issue
- How is your digestion?
As you can see, there are many reasons why a person gains weight and, as such, there are many techniques to help lose that weight.
Well, first and foremost, acupuncture combined with Chinese Medicine seeks to get to the source of the problem. Think of the body like a tree with roots and branches. You want to treat the roots to ensure the tree is at its optimal health. Sure, someone can give you a pill that helps speed up your metabolism or give you some packaged meal that has less calories (and taste) but how sustainable is that? Those pills wear off and those meals are only so satisfying. Those techniques are just trimming the branches, as it were.
Acupuncture Addresses the Source for Long-term Weight Loss
What we do as acupuncturists is go to the root. Through a series of questions, some physical assessment (pulse diagnosis, abdominal palpation, tongue diagnosis), and simple observation, we can certainly come to some conclusion about the source of the weight gain.
Once we figure out the source of the weight issue, we work with you to optimize the weight loss and subsequent maintenance. It is definitely a bit of work on both of our parts. Using acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, dietary and exercise counseling, and we will optimize your potential weight loss.
Acupuncture may be the support you need to achieve weight loss and restore balance to your body and help you on a path to maintain normal body weight.
