If you’ve tried calorie counting and exercise to lose weight, with disappointing
results, acupuncture may be the missing link. According to a 2007-2008 study by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 percent of U.S. adults are
overweight and an equal number of U.S. adults are obese. More Americans are
turning to alternative resources to help achieve their health goals.
With so many Americans trying to lose unwanted pounds, the efficacy of acupuncture
for weight loss has been more closely studied in recent years.

Research

In a 2006 study reported in the journal “Medical Acupuncture,” a group of thirty adults following a reduced-calorie diet combined with exercise was compared with another group where acupuncture was also added.

Researchers found that the group which received acupuncture in addition to the calorie reduction and exercise lost an average of 10.6 pounds, while the group without acupuncture lost an average of 5.3 pounds. The study concluded that while more research on the effectiveness of acupuncture in weight loss needs to be done, the results were very promising.

The practice of acupuncture dates back over 2000 years,
but auricular acupuncture, or ear acupuncture, is a more current modality. Dr.
Paul Nogier in France developed this form of acupuncture in 1951 when he
discovered that points on the ear corresponded directly with the body’s anatomy.
French and Chinese points sometimes have different locations in the ear due to
the fact that French points correlate with structural anatomy and Chinese points
sometimes correlate with function. Since 1951, France, Germany and China have
advanced auricular medicine for a variety of health applications, including
weight loss.

Treatment

For a weight loss treatment, an acupuncturist will select points that will help
control the desire to eat and the level of hunger the patient experiences.
The most popular points used are shen men, a functional point used for reducing
stress, the small intestine point, which aids in digestion, the mouth, which helps
the urge to overeat, the hunger point, a functional control point, and the
endocrine point, which aids the metabolism. These points are stimulated using needles,
ear tacks or ear seeds to achieve the desired affect. The treatment may last between
20 and 45 minutes.

After the treatment, the acupuncturist may choose to insert ear tacks or seeds that
remain in the ear for several days. This ensures that the points will
continually be stimulated until the next treatment. Ear tacks, or semi-permanent
needles, do not need to be stimulated by the patient. Ear seeds, however, are
taped onto the ear and must be pressed on by the patient manually at 10-second
intervals as needed for cravings.

Safety

Acupuncture needles, when used correctly and by a qualified practitioner are safe
and have minimal risks. The FDA classifies acupuncture needles as a Class II medical
device. The government regulates proper use of acupuncture needles, including semi-
permanent needles. Practitioners must use needles that are sterile and single-use only.
Acupuncture needles are only to be sold to and used by qualified individuals.
Self-administered acupuncture is not recommended for safety reasons; improper
use can result in injury and infection.

Considerations

Ask doctor Li if a weight loss plan that includes acupuncture is right for you.
Talk about a healthy weight loss plan, which includes balanced eating and exercise.
Doctor Li will tell you how many treatments you will need,depending on your goals.
Remember, acupuncture is not a substitute for the medical care provided by your primary physician.

Doctor Qiqing Li is ready to prescribe the best weight loss plan for you.

 

 

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