Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Come to Us for Dependable Acupuncture Treatment

In order for the acupuncturist to choose the correct points for you, you must first come in for a consultation to discuss your particular patterns and for the practioner to discover if there are any real digestive issues. Then the acupuncturist will check your pulse to discern the general state of your energy and measure the health of your stomach qi, in particular. 

The next step is to look at your tongue to check for cracks, peeling, or puffiness on the stomach area or a suspicious yellow or thick white coating that might indicate troublesome heat or coldness in the stomach. This will provide some clues as to why you are gaining weight.

The Acupuncture Points

Armed with this information, the acupuncturist at Acupuncture At Riverside will devise a treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points. The Chinese developed the system of auricular (ear) acupuncture a long time ago. It is one of many microsystems of the body containing all the points relating to the major organs and body. 

More recently, a Frenchman by the name of Nogier discovered many more acupuncture points on the ear that pertain to Western medicine, such as points called "Adrenal," "Pituitary," "FSH," "Ovary," and "Thyroid."

Points Important for Weight Loss

Mouth - for the impulsive eater who may also, smoke a lot and talk a lot

Stomach - for the person who eats even after they're full or who's constantly nibbling

Hungry - for general appetite control

Lung - for food addicts and people who love chocolate, sweets

Shenmen - a calming point for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration, insecurity

Endocrine - for water retention that's responsible for some of the weight gain

Adrenal and Ovary - if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.

Spleen - for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances

Kidney - for water retention and nervous system and hormonal imbalances

Thyroid - for slow metabolism

Treatment for Specific Body Points

The practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending upon the patient's problem and personality profile regarding overeating.

During the first few treatments, most likely the "Four Gate" points (LI 4, Liver3) would be used to circulate the energy throughout the body and calm the nervous system. Ren 12, the front collecting point of the stomach energy, would be chosen for many treatments, as would Stomach 36, three inches distal to the eye of the knee. 

This notifies the energy and helps circulate oxygen and blood of the whole body and of the stomach in particular. Then, based on the diagnosis, the practitioner may add Stomach 40, the master point for mucous, or Kidney 7 or 10 for edema.

Comprehensive Acupuncture Treatment

The needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five minutes, depending on how much support was needed for the patient. After the needles are removed, ear tacs with adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it works is this: 

when the patient feels an urge to eat, he or she applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient, and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about resisting the temptation to eat. 

The patient removes the tacs at home after three days and throws them away or takes them out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person, or food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between meals.