| Acupuncture is effective
in making it easier to lose and maintain that loss
if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle.
The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is
unknown but we know that acupuncture needles inserted
into specific points on the body and in the ear
release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing
effect that makes it easier to deal with stress,
frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating
and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins
affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture
can help rebalance the organ systems that are running
too fast- or in this case too slow—i.e., the
metabolism and the will power.
The 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 pattern of overeating,
and let the practitioner know in your intake form
if there are any real digestive difficulties.
Then the acupuncturist would check your pulse
to discern the general state of your energy and
measure the health of your stomach energy in particular,
and then they would 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 and would provide some clues as
to why the person was gaining weight.
The Acupuncture Points
Then, armed with this information, the acupuncturist
would devise a treatment protocol using a combination
of ear and body points. Although the Chinese developed
the system of ear acupuncture a long time ago,
as one of the various Microsystems of the body
containing all the points relating to the major
organs and body parts, a Frenchman by the name
of Nogier, discovered many more points on the
ear that pertain to Western medicine such as points
called “Adrenal”, “Pituitary”,
FSH, “Ovary”, “Thyroid”,
etc.
The Treatment Plan
The number of acupuncture treatments necessary
depends on the patient's goals for losing weight,
the speed at which they want to lose, and their
commitment to keeping the weight off. If the overeating
is severe, a treatment every day for the first
five days is appropriate and can then taper off
the second week to every other day and the third
week to every three days. For the average patient
who wants to lose between five to ten pounds,
one treatment every three days or twice a week
until they reach their goal is appropriate, and
then a booster treatment once every two weeks
is optimal. After a few booster treatments, the
patient and practitioner will mutually decide
when to terminate frequent treatments and then
can aim to meet approximately four times a year
at the change of seasons when energy levels are
unstable and tonification and harmonizing of one's
system is appropriate for everyone.
Herbal Medicine and Supplements
Next a good individualized nutritional supplement
program is important because everyone has a different
metabolism and different needs for nutrients.
It will include vitamins, minerals, herbs antioxidants,
phytochemicals and nutraceuticals. These will
support the diet program and balance the blood
sugar to help give the body the strength, energy
and defense it needs to maintain the healthy life
style that s/he has begun.Look for an acupuncturist
with formal training and experience in the treatment
of menopause. About
Lisa Ma |
