Unlock the Secret: How Acupuncture Can Boost Weight Loss During Menopause!

Holistic approaches, such as acupuncture, are gaining widespread acceptance as alternatives to traditional Western medicine, with growing interest from scientific research. Emerging studies suggest that acupuncture can indirectly support the management of menopause symptoms, including weight gain. This article explores the effectiveness of acupuncture for menopause and weight loss, examining how and why it delivers promising results.

Menopause and Its Impact on Weight Loss

Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual periods cease permanently, typically affecting women between the ages of 45 and 55. During menopause, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline, and these hormonal changes affect metabolic rate, reduce insulin sensitivity (impairing glucose metabolism), and promote changes in fat distribution.

Common menopause symptoms include:

Hot flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms)
Sleep disturbances (insomnia or change in sleep patterns)
Tendency toward weight gain (redistribution of fat in the abdominal area)
Mood changes (irritability, anxiety, or depression)
Changes in vaginal health and sexuality (vaginal dryness and reduced libido)

How Menopause Causes Weight Gain

During menopause, declining estrogen levels slow the metabolic rate and reduce insulin sensitivity, leading to more efficient fat storage and less fat utilization. Additionally, estrogen regulates fat breakdown and storage, so its decline can increase enzyme activity that promotes abdominal fat accumulation. Weight gain during menopause is a common complaint. A small amount of weight gain is natural in menopause due to the decline in the production of estrogen. Estrogen helps to regulate your metabolism and your body weight. Fat distribution tends to change, and fat is deposited around your stomach. Stomach fat is not just made up of subcutaneous fat; it also includes visceral fat, which is fat found at a deeper level surrounding our internal organs. Visceral fat is linked to increased health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Menopause is not always the culprit for weight gain; you need to look at what you are actually eating.

Understanding Acupuncture and Its Benefits

Acupuncture consists of strategically inserting very thin needles through the skin at different points of the body. It is popular for treating pain and stress management. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is recognized as a technique for balancing the flow of energy, or life force, known as qi. The insertion of needles at specific points is believed to help restore balance to the body’s energy flow. In Western medicine, it is viewed as a method to stimulate the central nervous system, including nerves, muscles, and connective tissues.

Acupuncture is mostly used to relieve chronic pain related to a variety of conditions and diseases, including:

Headaches and migraines
Immune system disorders
Lower back, neck, and muscle pain
Cancer and cancer treatment side effects
Menstrual cramps
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Sports injuries

Acupuncture for Weight Loss During Menopause

Acupuncture for menopause and weight loss targets specific points thought to improve digestion, reduce cravings, and enhance energy balance. These benefits contribute to a healthier body, fostering mental and physical well-being while encouraging a more active lifestyle.

Can Acupuncture Directly Help with Weight Gain from Menopause?

Acupuncture for weight gain during menopause is not a direct solution to losing weight. However, acupuncture may indirectly support weight loss efforts. Various studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can impact hormones linked to weight management. A trial investigating the influence of acupuncture on specific hormones in obese women found that acupuncture significantly reduced insulin and leptin levels while increasing plasma ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) levels, resulting in weight loss and a decrease in body mass index. The reduction in leptin and insulin levels improved energy regulation and suppressed appetite, while the increase in ghrelin and CCK enhanced satiety signaling and digestion. The combination of hormonal effects is believed to have contributed to the participant’s weight loss.

Moreover, another study on the effects of acupuncture on obese women with or without perimenopause found that acupuncture significantly reduced body weight and obesity indexes in both groups. However, the weight loss occurred earlier in women with simple obesity compared to those with perimenopausal obesity. We observed 60 women with either simple obesity or perimenopausal obesity (obesity complicated with perimenopausal syndrome) treated by five acupuncture treatments given in the first week of three successive four-week treatment courses, and obesity indexes including body weight, body mass index, obesity degree and waist/hip ratio were evaluated. Versus baseline, the obesity indexes decreased at the end of each treatment course in women with simple obesity (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), while women with perimenopausal obesity showed no decrease at the end of the first course of treatment, and these indexes decreased at the end of the second and the third courses of treatment (p < 0.05). There was no difference when comparing obesity indexes recorded at the end of three courses of treatment and at the end of three-month follow-up between women with simple obesity and those with perimenopausal obesity. Limited studies suggest acupuncture may be an effective complementary treatment for overweight and obesity. This may be due to its ability to modulate metabolism, as well as other benefits.

How Acupuncture can help with Menopausal Weight Gain

Menopause follows when ovulation no longer occurs and the production of estrogen and progesterone ceases. Essentially, it means eggs are no longer being produced. As we age, some but not all of us are less physical, our metabolism slows down impacting on lean body muscle and impact to burn up calories influence on weight gain. Other factors to consider are family history, medications, general health, environmental factors, and changes in lifestyle and sleep deprivation. While weight gain in menopause is a common complaint, it doesn’t mean it is a given. If you are close to or at your ideal weight when are approaching menopause you have a much better chance of maintaining your weight. If you need to make some changes to your lifestyle consider the following:

Focus on fresh non-processed foods with nutritious calories - Fresh fruit, whole grains, vegetables, nuts legumes and unsaturated fats
Protein to help your bones and muscle
Reduce foods with high sugar content
Drink plenty of water
Move - Regular exercise aids your digestive system, maintains muscle mass, hot flushes and mood swings. You can incorporate weight bearing and resistance training to help heart health and prevent osteoporosis. Find a physical activity you enjoy as it will be easier to sustain, remember you don’t need to become a body builder to achieve results
Sleep - Sleep deprivation leads to fatigue, lack of motivation, reducing your metabolic rate
Stress- Cortisol is the regulator hormone. Cortisol helps to maintain glucose levels and stop blood sugar from dropping too low and fuels your body and brain. When your body is under chronic stress, stress causes high levels of cortisol causing imbalance triggering the release of too much glucose. When glucose is not consumed for energy, it is stored as fat predominantly around your stomach as most of the cortisol receptors are located in your stomach fat cells. Exercise, sleep, yoga and deep breathing can help reduced stress levels.

Menopause can be challenging, navigating around hormonal changes, aging, sleep deprivation, mood swings, weight gain and the possibility of increased health issues. Empower yourself to help navigate through your physical and emotional changes. You can’t change your life overnight, change takes time, it starts when you decide to change. One step at a time. If you’re struggling, you can always reach out for help. Chinese medicine can provide an alternative way at looking at your weight gain and any other symptoms associated with Peri menopause and/or Menopause. We look at the whole picture, allowing us to put together and individual treatment plan to suit you. This may include acupuncture and/or herbs, lifestyle changes and exercises to help improve your digestive system for example. However, you decide the final plan of action. At Healing Harmony, we respect that it is your body, your health your decision. While acupuncture may help with your menopausal weight gain, remember one thing. Results are not instantaneous.

Acupuncture for Other Menopause Symptoms: What Does Science Say?

Studies exploring the effects of acupuncture on other menopausal symptoms highlight promising outcomes, addressing both physical and mental health challenges.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

A meta-analysis of 12 randomized control trials determined that acupuncture improves hot flashes frequency and severity, and menopause-related symptoms in women experiencing natural menopause, with clinical effects lasting up to 3 months. A randomized controlled trial investigating acupuncture’s effects on menopause symptoms revealed that participants experienced a 37.6% reduction in the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats after 6 months. Research has shown acupuncture to be effective in reducing the intensity of hot flashes associated with menopause. Acupuncture can balance out your serotonin levels.

Sleep, Anxiety, and Depression

The same study also reported that participants had significantly fewer sleep problems, and additional positive effects on other menopause symptoms, such as somatic and memory symptoms, and anxiety. The previously mentioned meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture demonstrated marked superiority over placebo in mitigating Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores and was found to be more effective in reducing Self-Rating Depression Scale scores than either placebo used. Another small study found that one weekly acupuncture treatment for 5 weeks reduced hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disruptions in women with menopause. Menopausal hormonal fluctuations often contribute to mood swings and heightened anxiety. Insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns are common during menopause. Acupuncture addresses the underlying imbalances that contribute to sleep disturbances, promoting better sleep quality and overall restful nights.

Even though these studies show promising results, it is important to note that it is not 100% certain that the benefits on sleep and other symptoms are direct effects of acupuncture or secondary to the reduction of vasomotor symptoms.

Alternative Strategies for Weight Loss During Menopause

Don’t worry-if acupuncture isn't your preferred method for tackling weight gain during menopause, there are other weight loss strategies to help you manage menopause and its symptoms.

Additional wellness approaches to support you through menopause include:

Calorie deficit: A calorie deficit involves consuming fewer calories than the body expends, forcing it to resort to stored fat for energy. Achieving a consistent calorie deficit through portion control, a well-balanced diet, and regular exercise can promote weight loss.
Fasting: Fasting involves structured periods of eating and not eating, which encourages the body to switch from burning glucose to burning stored fat. Popular methods include intermittent fasting (e.g., 16:8 or 20:4) and extended fasting.
Low-carb diet: This diet restricts carbohydrate intake, prompting the body to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose. Reducing carbs can also improve insulin sensitivity. The ketogenic diet is a popular example.

As mentioned before, it is unclear whether the benefits of acupuncture are directly related to the treatment or a result of reduced vasomotor symptoms. Having said this, acupuncture should be used as a supplemental therapy. To effectively manage weight gain during menopause, it’s best to combine it with recognized weight loss strategies.

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment

Consultation

During the initial consult, normally 90mins, a full health history will be taken, we talk through your digestive and weight issues and identify what is concerning you. Your practitioner will also check your tongue and pulse, which provides further valuable information. This information helps to determine an appropriate treatment plan for you. We will discuss with you what we observe to give you a greater understanding of your condition.

Therapy

After discussion takes place, depending on the area that requires treating you may need to remove some clothing, and if you do, your practitioner will leave the room ensuring your privacy and explain how to drape yourself with a towel. In many cases, you will not need to remove any clothing, as the acupuncture technique involves inserting needles into the legs or arms. Once you are comfortable on the treatment table, your practitioner will ask your permission to start your acupuncture treatment. Treatment will consist of insertion of acupuncture needles at specific points along the body to help target your main complaint. Your practitioner will continue to check in with while inserting the needles, feel free to ask questions at any time, as communication is the key. Once the needles are in the practitioner will leave the room, allowing you to relax for about 30 to 45 mins. Your practitioner is always available if you require any assistance at any time.

Your Health Plan

After your therapy, your practitioner will discuss an individual treatment plan to treat your specific condition ensuring the best outcome. Herbal medicine, lifestyle changes and exercises/stretches maybe be recommended as part of your treatment plan. However, you decide the final plan of action. At Healing Harmony, we respect that it is your body, your health.

Research Supporting Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Obesity occurs because of problems in energy metabolism and appetite regulation. While the mechanism is unclear, clinical studies, published in 2019, suggest that acupuncture may help to:

regulate the endocrine system
modulate metabolism
promote digestion
attenuate oxidative stress

A 2021 study concluded that acupuncture therapy for obesity involves targeting the neural circuits of the hypothalamus, the region that controls the body’s energy homeostasis and appetite.

Some studies show that acupuncture may help with weight loss.

A small 2015 study studied the effects of massage and manual acupuncture on 50 participants and found that both manual acupuncture and massage can reduce body weight and body mass index (BMI) significantly.
Another small 2015 study from Japan found that acupuncture on the ear area effectively caused changes in active levels of ghrelin, a hormone produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can increase hunger levels. Study participants in the acupuncture group experienced a reduction in body weight compared to the control group.
A 2019 review and meta-analysis on acupuncture for weight loss in Asians found that acupuncture effectively reduced waist circumference and BMI, but only reduced weight when combined with diet and exercise.
Additionally, a 2020 review comparing the effects of acupuncture with so-called “sham acupuncture” for simple obesity showed that acupuncture significantly reduced body weight and BMI compared to sham acupuncture. This appears to counter claims that the effects of acupuncture are merely a placebo effect. Another 2017 meta-analysis reported that acupuncture, whether alone or with lifestyle interventions, significantly reduced BMI.

Safety and Considerations

Acupuncture is generally safe when a qualified and licensed practitioner performs it. People may prefer it because they experience fewer side effects than they do taking medication.

Common side effects include:

needle site pain or tenderness
needle site bruising or bleeding
feeling dizzy
fainting
drowsiness

Serious side effects are uncommon in acupuncture. Below are rare complications associated with the treatment:

pneumothorax, or collapsed lung
central nervous system injury
peripheral nerve injury
organ injury
other tissue injuries

To ensure safety, a person should research and look for a trained practitioner who has a license to practice in their state. Most practitioners do not recommend people undergo acupuncture if they have:

active infections
severe neutropenia
psychosis
pacemakers

Like other weight loss methods, a person typically needs several sessions to see changes.

When to Consult a Doctor

A person may want to talk with their doctor if lifestyle changes, exercise, and diet do not work in reaching their weight loss goals. Their doctor may recommend medicines that can help.

In some cases, a doctor may also recommend bariatric surgery. The qualifications for bariatric surgery include:

having a BMI over 35
having a BMI over 30 for people with type 2 diabetes
having a BMI of between 30-34.9 for those who do not find substantial weight loss or comorbidity improvement using nonsurgical methods

It is also essential to talk with a doctor before trying alternative and nonconventional treatments for weight loss.

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