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Acupuncture and Botanical Medicine for Weight Loss Assistance

Acupuncture and Botanical Medicine for Weight Loss AssistanceMany Americans struggle with a few extra pounds while others are considered obese. It is a common problem across the nation that can lead to a laundry list of adverse health concerns. In fact, it has already reached epidemic proportions. According to The American Heart Association (AHA), 1 out of 3 children ages 2-19 and approximately 149 million adults are overweight or obese.

Physical activity and a balanced diet seem to be the golden rule when it comes to keeping your body from falling into weight gain as well as many other physical and mental challenges. However, there is another essential ingredient that can often compliment such a regiment that may very well catapult you into optimal weight beyond many of your friends and family. It is acupuncture and botanical medicine for weight loss assistance.

By creating a more optimal inner flow through acupuncture and botanical medicine the full health spectrum can be addressed rather than only one or two parts. It is equivalent to changing the oil in your car but ignoring the transmission fluid, low air in the tires and misfiring spark plugs.

Acupuncture: Calm Mind, Suppressed Appetite, Toned Stomach, Revived Engine
According to a 2009 issue of The International Journal of Obesity, a compilation of 31 studies performed on a total of over 3,000 people showed significant improvement when acupuncture was used to treat obesity. It stated that,

“The results of this review showed that compared to control of lifestyle, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction of average body weight…Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight as well as for obesity than conventional medication.”

By working specific point locations according to a person’s individual constitution, many peripheral weight gaining culprits can be quelled. These include:

  • Anxiety – Anxiety drives many people to irresponsibly eat. This can be remedied with the release of endorphins through acupuncture treatments. These ‘feel good’ brain chemicals decrease pain as well as calm and relax the body reducing the over stimulation of the hormone cortisol which leads to stress that can begin an unhealthy eating cycle.
  • Stretched out Stomach – Acupuncture can help the body re-adjust the stomach back to its useful role rather than the stretched out mass it can become when continual overeating has been in place for years. By opening up stuck energy pathways, the stomach can actually begin to shrink enabling the patient to feel full faster and therefore eliminate overeating.
  • Appetite – According to a 1998 study from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, “Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite.” It was concluded that, “Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.”
  • Metabolism – The release of endorphins due to acupuncture can also be attributed to stimulating the metabolism. As we get older our metabolic energy slows down considerably, by discharging sluggish energy pathways the system can ‘open up’ and burn food fuel more efficiently. The more fuel burned, the more weight is transformed.

Spleen, Liver Acupuncture Strength and the Neijing Way
Classical Chinese Medicine defines weight gain as a malfunction of energy affecting the spleen and liver organ systems. The spleen is in charge of transforming food into life enhancing energy or qi (chee) and the liver keeps the qi flowing for both physical and mental health. A disruption of spleen can cause such presentations as fatigue, water retention, slow metabolism, feelings of heaviness and loose stool. A disharmony of liver not only affects the spleen but it can also cause triggers that result in cravings and compulsive eating. Through acupuncture, the spleen and liver can be strengthened to re-align the body’s natural weight management capabilities.

The ancient text, Neijing Suwen – 240BC, advises the following on eating for weight management according to proper organ control:

“The source and preservation of yin come from the five flavors of food in the diet, but

improper use of the five flavors may also injure the five zang organs. Too much sour taste may

cause over activity of the Liver and under activity of the Spleen. Too much salty taste can weaken the bones and muscles, and stagnate the Heart qi. Too much sweet taste can disturb the Heart qi, causing it to become restless and congested, as well as cause imbalance in the Kidney energy. Too much bitter taste disrupts the Spleen’s ability to transform and transport food, and causes the Stomach to digest poorly, and swell.”

Botanical Medicine for Weight Loss Assistance
The United States National Library of Medicine and The National Institutes of Health recognize the use of specific herbs for weight loss. Mind you, using these or any other remedies without the professional guidance of a naturopathic doctor could cause adverse effects. It is imperative to be assessed according to your unique constitution so as to optimally benefit from alternative remedies. Through research from the University of Arizona, particular herbs were found to target specific presentations that could result in weight gain.

Here are some examples:

  • Spices – Compounds of cayenne, ginger and fennel “augment digestion, stimulate salivation and gastric secretions, and are antispasmodic.”
  • Bitters – Bitters used to be an integral part of the American diet, however sugar seems to have pushed these important herbs to the wayside. Chamomile, gentian and dandelion root “taken as liquids or teas prior to eating stimulate gastric secretions and promote fat and cholesterol breakdown.”
  • Other Useful Herbs for Weight Loss – Licorice, all ginsengs, sprouted fenugreek, holy basil, ashwaganda and codonoposis.

Acupuncture and botanical medicine for weight loss assistance compliment a healthy exercise and diet program. Adding these into your weight loss plan will not only reap impressive results they will also offer the longevity of weight management that so many other fad diets, diet pills and even surgery have never been able to achieve.

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you.  In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health.  To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or click here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of In-Network Insurance Companies for Acupuncture that we participate with as well as insurance companies that commonly have Out-of-Network benefits. Please call 914.337.2980 or securely email info@intmedsolutions.com to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.