Ask anyone who has ever tried and the person will tell you losing weight is challenging. People in the United States spend $33 billion dollars per year on weight loss products, but only about five percent of them successfully lose weight and keep it off. However, acupuncture in Seaford NY may provide some help to those struggling to shed pounds.
Acupuncture is an alternative medical treatment that originated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The practice involves inserting small thin needles under the skin. It is believed that the body is filled with a life energy called qi, and that stimulating this qi can help treat diseases and other problems.
There are many reasons people gain weight, including hormone imbalances, overeating, lack of exercise, and a slowed metabolism. An experienced and skilled acupuncturist can zero in on the cause of a particular person’s weight gain and use techniques to address that specific issue. For example, they may insert needles in a specific area to treat hormonal issues.
A recent study on the effects of acupuncture on weight loss may provide hope to people struggling to shed excess pounds. According to researchers at the Graduate College of Basic Korean Medical Science at Kyung Hee University in South Korea, inserting five needles into key points in the ear can reduce feelings of hunger. In TCM, several points in the ear are connected to food cravings and hunger.
The study followed 91 patients, half of which were receiving acupuncture and other half receiving a fake treatment. Approximately 24 people dropped out of the weight loss trial, 15 of which were people receiving the fake treatment. Out of those who completed the study, people who received a five-point treatment lost an average of 6.1 percent of weight while those receiving the false treatment lost no weight at all.
Of course not everyone is convinced acupuncture is the cause of such a dramatic change. Some scientists who read the study believe the “placebo” affect may account for much of the result. However, Acupuncture in Seaford, NY has many other health benefits and is not harmful in any way. If you’re struggling to lose weight, it may be worth investing in a few sessions to see if acupuncture can help you take the pounds off.
