People often ask me if acupuncture will help them to lose weight. While acupuncture itself will not cause unwanted pounds to drop from your body, regular acupuncture treatments help bring the body into balance and tap the natural resources of the body to achieve higher levels of functionality. It is well known that stress in many of us can increase cortisol levels causing difficulty in weight loss, and acupuncture and herbal formulas can help with hormonal imbalances that may be implicated in difficult weight loss. Acupuncture is a relaxing therapy that helps reduce stress and anxiety in patients, and with regular treatments, many patients are better able to manage the more difficult challenges in their lives. Of course acupuncture needs to accompany sensible lifestyle changes in both diet and exercise for real results. A recent article from CafeMom relates one woman’s experience with how acupuncture helped her to get off the weight loss plateau she had reached.
Ear acupuncture in particular is promising in helping patients to drop unwanted pounds by reducing cravings for unhealthy foods as well as subtances. By using the NADA protocol, patients may find it easier to make sure that every calorie is a high-quality, nutritious calorie, rather than giving in to cravings for sugar, alcohol, or other empty calories and substances that can cause a descent down the slippery slope. Other aspects of Oriental Medicine such as Medical Qi Gong exercises can be used to reduce stress and help the entire body work at more optimal levels.
As a patient and practitioner of Oriental Medicine, my goal is to help myself and my patients maximize their health. The goal is never to be perfect, just to be a little bit better, day by day. There is no substitute for self-kindness, perhaps the most important thing to remember when be embark on a plan for change.