Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique. It benefits patients’ overall wellness by restoring the flow of vital energy, known as qi, throughout the body. While acupuncture is widely known to help with aches and pains, it can also help with weight loss.
How Does Acupuncture Help With Weight Loss?
There are a few key reasons why acupuncture is thought to help with weight loss. These include:
Increased Metabolism
Acupuncture is thought to help boost the metabolism by influencing various hormones (leptin, in particular). By stimulating hormones that help regulate the metabolism, acupuncture may help patients burn more calories, which aids in weight loss.
Lower Stress Levels
High-stress levels trigger the production of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol increases appetite and can even trigger cravings for foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Acupuncture works in multiple ways to help relieve stress. For one, it boosts blood flow throughout the body, which can help lower cortisol levels. Additionally, it prompts the release of “feel good” chemicals in the brain, known as endorphins. Endorphins help to naturally reduce stress and alleviate pain.
Reduced Appetite
Acupuncture can be used for appetite suppression. Certain trigger points used in acupuncture have been shown to reduce appetite by affecting the smooth muscle in the stomach. It may also influence the area of the brain that controls hunger cues. Acupuncture points on the ear, in particular, are often used to support weight loss by reducing appetite and food cravings.
Acupuncture To Resolve Body Imbalance
In a broad sense, acupuncture can help patients reach their weight loss goals by resolving bodily imbalances. Imbalances in the flow of energy throughout the body may contribute to weight loss and other health concerns, according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If you’re interested in acupuncture as a natural way to help reach your weight loss goals, schedule an appointment at the Rubin Health Center today.