Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical practice involving the stimulation of specific points on the body with thin needles, has been explored for its potential in managing various health issues, including weight loss. While research on acupuncture for weight loss is not as extensive as that for pain management, some studies suggest it may be a helpful and safe option for many individuals.
Acupuncture and Its Potential Impact on Weight Loss
Advocates of acupuncture for weight loss propose that it can stimulate the body's energy flow ("chi") to influence factors that can reverse obesity. These factors include:
- Increasing metabolism: Acupuncture may help boost the body's metabolic rate, leading to increased calorie burning.
- Reducing appetite: By targeting specific points, acupuncture may help control hunger and reduce overall food intake.
- Lowering stress: Acupuncture's calming effects may help reduce stress-related eating and promote healthier lifestyle choices.
- Affecting the part of the brain that feels hunger: Acupuncture may modulate brain regions involved in hunger regulation, leading to reduced cravings and appetite.
Traditional Chinese medicine attributes weight gain to body imbalance, potentially caused by malfunctioning organs such as the liver, spleen, kidney, thyroid gland, or endocrine system. Acupuncture treatments often target these areas to restore balance and promote weight loss.
Ear Acupuncture for Weight Loss
The ear is another area commonly targeted by acupuncture practitioners for weight loss. Manipulating points on the ear is believed to control food cravings, similar to treatments used to help smokers and drug users overcome addictions.
Treatment Recommendations and the Role of Positive Attitude
While treatment levels and lengths vary among practitioners, a common program for losing 10 to 15 pounds involves several treatments a week for six to eight weeks, with the number of visits tapering off as the program progresses. A positive attitude and belief in the treatment's benefits may further enhance weight loss efforts by motivating individuals to make healthier diet and exercise choices.
Read also: Explore the holistic wellness of facial acupuncture
The Evidence: Limited but Promising
Although some studies suggest acupuncture is likely effective for weight loss, a review of these studies indicates that the results are not entirely convincing due to methodological issues. These issues include variations in technique, number of acupuncture points, number of sessions, length of sessions, and the use of placebos or sham interventions. Additionally, study results are often influenced by participants' personal beliefs, expectations, and relationship with the practitioner, which can skew the data.
However, 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. A 2020 review also showed that acupuncture significantly reduced body weight and BMI compared to sham acupuncture, countering 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 Potential Side Effects
The safety and side effects of acupuncture depend on the practitioner's training and experience and the cleanliness of the needles. To avoid serious side effects such as infections, punctured organs, collapsed lungs, or injury to the central nervous system, it is crucial to ensure that the acupuncturist is trained and licensed.
Common side effects of acupuncture include:
- Needle site pain or tenderness
- Needle site bruising or bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Fainting
- Drowsiness
Acupuncture and Inflammation
Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, and studies have shown that acupuncture may have anti-inflammatory effects. A study involving 80 obese patients found that acupuncture, combined with a low-calorie diet, led to significant reductions in anthropometric measurements of adiposity and inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-6, and hsCRP. These findings suggest that acupuncture may help reduce inflammation associated with obesity, potentially contributing to weight loss and improved health outcomes.
Read also: Is facial acupuncture right for you?
Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Obesity
A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 1389 participants investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in obesity. The results showed that acupuncture, compared with sham acupuncture, led to significant reductions in BMI, weight, body fat mass, and total cholesterol. Compared with no treatment, acupuncture significantly reduced BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. When compared with diet and exercise, significant reductions in BMI and weight were found. The meta-analysis concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity and inferred that neuroendocrine regulation might be involved.
Acupuncture as a Complementary Treatment
While acupuncture may not be a "magic bullet" for weight loss, it can play a significant role through an indirect approach. Acupuncture can improve metabolism, reduce cravings, and mitigate stressors that affect appetite. However, long-term changes in weight loss require a commitment to lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. Acupuncture may also help individuals adhere to these lifestyle changes by improving mood, reducing stress, and suppressing appetite.
Read also: Acupuncture: Does it Help Weight Loss?
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