Are you overweight? Have you tried everything to get the scale to drop, but it’s going nowhere? It’s time to ditch diets and marathon workouts and try acupuncture for weight loss instead. Researchers suggest that acupuncture can help people change their physique, slow weight gain, and get in shape.

Does Acupuncture Really Work for Weight Loss?

Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The concept of balancing energy flow plays a central role in this traditional Chinese medical practice. Acupuncture is believed to influence the nervous system in several ways, including weight loss.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Reduce Systemic Inflammation

Inflammation is the root of all chronic diseases. It builds up in the gut and spreads throughout the body, slowing metabolic rate. It also affects cardiovascular function, digestion, and immune health. High levels of systemic inflammation make it challenging to lose weight.

Acupuncture offers a way to remove systemic inflammation and restore the body’s health. You’ll see the needle on the scale move as your physiology improves.

Improve Digestion

The digestive system is home to our biomes. These microscopic bacteria manage the GI system and digestion. However, when they’re in an inflamed state, it results in the onset of digestive problems like bloating and gas. If left untreated, this condition can develop into GO disorders like IBS and Crohn’s disease.

Acupuncture can help by inserting thin needles in pressure points in the stomach and kidneys to improve digestive health, aiding in weight loss and eradicating systemic inflammation.

Stop Bloating & Water Retention

Stimulating the endocrine system and kidney nerves with acupuncture therapy lowers subcutaneous water levels under the skin and in tissues. High water levels in your body can place pressure on the cardiovascular system, therefore reducing your ability to lose weight and perform regular exercise.

Because acupuncture can help stop water retention, you will experience relief from bloating and drop excess water fast after a few acupuncture needling sessions.

Regulate Hormone Balance

The Shen Men acupuncture point is a specific point in the ear that helps to regulate hormonal balance in the body, including thyroid function, which influences metabolism and fat burning. Exploring acupuncture as part of a holistic approach to addressing hormonal balance can offer support in stimulating weight loss.

Elevate Metabolic Rate

Acupuncture therapy can enhance the function of the pituitary gland. It is responsible for managing the thyroid and your metabolic rate. As metabolism increases, your body completes physiological processes faster, therefore helping you lose weight.

Stabilize Mood

Many people who try to lose weight feel irritable during the process. Acupuncture can stabilize the hormonal system and release endorphins (feel-good hormones) into the bloodstream. With acupuncture therapy, you will feel alert and alive with a positive energy flow.

Acupuncture can also help to curb food cravings, allowing you to stay on track to reach your weight loss goals.

How Many Sessions Does It Take to See Results?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to acupuncture therapy for weight loss. However, on average, most people see around 10 to 15 pounds of fat loss after six to eight weeks of acupuncture treatments in conjunction with other healthy living practices.

Call an acupuncture therapist near you and book a session to see if a weight loss acupuncture treatment plan is right for you.

Additional Information: Healthy Living and Weight Loss Strategies

Southlake Natural Family Wellness

Our mission is to support the health and well-being of our patients.

We offer individualized, comprehensive holistic care including acupuncture, herbal recommendations, customized nutritional counseling, allergy elimination (NAET), whole food supplements, lifestyle suggestions, moxibustion, and cupping. As well as helping couples get pregnant and STAY pregnant by supporting all the paths to conception.

About Farrah Hamraie

Farrah Hamraie, L.Ac, MOM, Dipl.OM (NCCAOM), is licensed and board-certified in Acupuncture and Herbal medicine in the State of Texas with a Masters of Oriental Medicine from the Dallas College of Oriental Medicine.

She is also a Diplomat of NCCAOM (the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), a Board Certified Acupuncturist, a Chinese Herbalist, and a member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine.