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Lose Weight With Acupuncture

by Dr. Elizabeth Langer

You want to lose weight?  You are not alone.  Being overweight can make you feel sluggish and can be hard on your self-esteem.  It can also be dangerous for your health.  If you are obese, you have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Even being just twenty pounds overweight can increase your chances of developing these conditions. Not only that, but if you are overweight or obese, you may be more susceptible to anxiety and depression.

So if being overweight is so detrimental, then why is it that so many people aren’t losing weight?

Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy. We struggle not only with food cravings and slow metabolism, but we are also constantly bombarded with confusing diet and exercise programs. Advertisements plague us for dangerous weight-loss drugs and potions.  Some people have even undergone surgery.

And yet, the weight remains.

The problem with crazy diets, potions, and surgery is that the cause of the weight gain is not addressed.  There must be a system that can help with losing weight, but also provide emotional support, and offer sound dietary advice.

Acupuncture helps manage weight because it balances our bodies to function at a more optimum level. By guiding our bodies into a natural state of equilibrium, acupuncture improves digestion and metabolism, relieves stress, decreases water retention, and facilitates neurologic functioning to relieve food addictions.

Treatments are based on individual needs and tailored to each patient. Though there are common acupuncture points associated with weight loss, each person and their overall constitution must be assessed in order to achieve desired results. If you are overweight due to an underactive thyroid, you should not receive the same treatment plan as someone who is overweight due to constant hunger and emotional stress. While every person responds differently to treatment, most people usually get results in 8-12 treatments.

Success with weight loss cannot occur with just acupuncture alone. To lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise must be addressed. Talk to your acupuncturist about a sensible diet plan and exercise program and you will see even better results.