Acupuncture for weight loss
introduction
Obesity is a growing problem in our western culture. It is terrifying how fast food, unhealthy lifestyles, media, inadequate exercise and the ubiquity of food in abundance affect our population. Far too many children are simply too fat and therefore more susceptible to secondary diseases such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Obesity usually arises from the fact that the body receives more energy from food than it needs. But eating less causes problems for many overweight people. Wouldn't it be nice to simply “switch off” or regulate the annoying appetite that triggers most feeding attacks? It is no longer a secret that acupuncture can make a significant contribution to weight loss.
What success can be expected with acupuncture for weight loss?
The successes in losing weight with acupuncture vary greatly from person to person.
Acupuncture can have a positive effect on satiety when losing weight in the right places. This means that after successful acupuncture treatment, you will feel less hungry and consequently less prone to food cravings.
There are people who react very positively to acupuncture and who benefit from the treatment, for others this therapy is less effective.
Nevertheless, the success of losing weight depends heavily on diet and exercise. In order to reduce excess weight, more active measures are necessary. Without a targeted change in diet and exercise, acupuncture will not lead to the desired weight in such people (see also: Lose weight by changing your diet).
Acupuncture for weight loss is suitable for people who are losing a few love handles and don't want to stick to a diet because they tend to snack. In these cases, successful acupuncture therapy can help to avoid unnecessary snacks and to lose weight over a longer period of time.
What is the cost of acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment costs between € 30 and € 70 per session, depending on the duration of the treatment and the complexity of the therapy. On average, a session lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. The prerequisite is that the doctor has demonstrated a correspondingly high-quality acupuncture training.
Does acupuncture for weight loss pay the health insurance?
In some cases, acupuncture is partially or completely covered by statutory health insurance. Many private health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of acupuncture. In the case of frequent complaints such as chronic back or knee joint problems, the costs are covered by most health insurance companies.
For acupuncture for weight loss, the overweight should be given in the form of the diagnosis of obesity so that the health insurance company takes over the therapy.
For acupuncture for weight loss, there is no standardized coverage of costs by health insurance as there is for joint problems. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you should contact the respective health insurer before the appropriate treatment and obtain information about reimbursement or assumption of costs.
Furthermore, there is the possibility to take out a private additional insurance, which offers special tariffs for medical acupuncture and medical Chinese medicinal therapy. This often includes naturopathy and homeopathy.
Ear acupuncture and slimming
The effect of ear acupuncture on the feeling of appetite and thus on weight loss has been scientifically proven.
Ear acupuncture can curb appetite, make it easier to lose weight, help with the healthy regulation of body weight and prevent the often feared yo-yo effect.
Depending on the diagnosis, the acupuncturist sticks into special ear points, the size of a pinhead, which protrudes about 1 mm from the skin. Covered with a small plaster, they remain in the ear for about seven to ten days.
After the treatment, the body reacts to the acupuncture needles and begins to adapt. The feeling of satiety sets in faster.
The cravings are reduced, binge eating disappear and the metabolism is stimulated. Weight is reduced. This treatment makes the patient - depending on the weak point - calmer, more balanced, more stable, less aggressive or less depressed.
The result: the appetite decreases. Despite acupuncture, an important prerequisite for weight loss remains a reduced intake of food through selected diets, but the needles help make it easier to adhere to them. A significant weight reduction occurs in approx. 75%. Obesity can be treated very well with the help of TCM. It is important to set meaningful, realistic and long-term goals.
Long term weight loss plan
An important prerequisite for the long-term plan: It should get along without a strict low-calorie and raw-food all-or-nothing diet. Crash diets usually lead to an energetic weakening and cooling of the organism. A reduced-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet is better. For each patient, the food should be selected individually and according to type according to the rules of the five elements. In spite of the reduced calorie intake, the body is energetically strengthened.
In contrast to Western nutrition, which is all about calories, vitamins and minerals, Chinese dietetics is about the effects that food has on the vital energy Qi and thus on Yin and Yang. These so-called energetic effects are described according to four principles: The five temperature ranges (hot - warm - neutral - cool - cold) initially have a general effect on the organism. The thermal quality has a warming or cooling effect on the body. The five flavors (sour - bitter - sweet - spicy - salty) can be assigned to a yin or a yang quality and a functional group. The five functional circles: Liver (angry) - Heart (bitter) - Spleen (sweet) - lungs (sharp) - kidney (salty) are assigned to one of the five flavors. The four directions of action (ascending - floating - descending / falling - falling) describe the direction of movement of the life energy Qi, which arises from food in the organism.
The amazing thing about Chinese dietetics is that an adequate supply of vitamins, minerals and trace elements is guaranteed. In Chinese medicine, food is always a remedy. Because the Qi power of a food can be used specifically to balance too much or too little life energy in the organism. It is best to work with a doctor to create and implement a structured weight loss program.
Example of an acupuncture program for weight loss
And this is what a weight loss program could look like:
1. Diagnosis: After the diagnosis, the individual and type-appropriate selection of foods that balance the Qi takes place.
2. Establishing a nutrition plan: In coordination with the doctor, a plan is put together that ensures the supply of nutrients, guarantees a good feeling of satiety and - very importantly - corresponds to the individual taste and personal preferences.
3. Acupuncture treatment: The doctor chooses acupuncture that is individually tailored to the patient. The needles are placed in points with a direct impact on the digestive organs. There are also psychologically stabilizing points. Because disturbed eating behavior can be one of the addictive diseases, the therapist also inserts needles into addiction points on the ear. Sometimes patients are given permanent needles.
4. Stimulation for more movement: Learning Qi Gong and Tai Chi can convey a new body awareness and thus a better self-esteem. Of course, any other type of exercise is also desirable.
Compared to long diet programs, the cost is low. The one-time treatment costs between 150 and 400 euros, depending on the therapist's effort. The health insurance companies usually do not cover the costs.
Overweight from a Chinese perspective
According to Chinese medicine, the causes of overeating are very different. Nervousness, depression, imbalance, tiredness or stress can increase the appetite unnoticed in the long run. Writing with the right hand for left-handers may also lead to obesity. Presumably, these weak points are compensated for by eating (or other addictions such as smoking). In some cases, however, an experienced doctor can find a source of interference that is causing the obesity. These include, for example, processes in the body that trigger diseases without the patient noticing (dead teeth, inflamed maxillary sinuses, scars or small splinter injuries). These can then be specifically integrated into the treatment plan.
Medical evaluation of acupuncture for weight loss by
Acupuncture for weight loss is a gentle method to fight the excess pounds. Acupuncture needles are designed to reduce food cravings and snacks at the right points. In addition, acupuncture can be used to treat stress and depressed mood (see also: Therapy of Depression). Acupuncture needles can therefore provide targeted support to people who lack motivation and stamina after numerous unsuccessful diets.
According to the results of a US study, this treatment is a useful supplement and support for weight loss. Nevertheless, it is essential to change your diet and, ideally, to exercise regularly.
In order to lose weight in a targeted manner, one should eat a diet that is low in carbohydrates, low in fat and high in protein, so that the metabolism is boosted as effectively as possible. Sweets, sweetened drinks and alcohol should be avoided so that the body can concentrate on burning fat. Exercise helps to increase muscle mass, burn more energy and thus burn fat, and it also gets the body in shape.
Acupuncture is well suited as a diet support for people who have cravings and snacks and for those who may need more motivation after numerous diet attempts.
You might also be interested in: Lose weight with exercise - these sports are particularly effective!
What are the alternatives to losing weight with acupuncture?
Since losing weight with acupuncture is not a diet in the strict sense, there are countless alternative diets to get rid of love handles.
In order to lose a lot of weight very quickly, some people go on mono diets, which are very radical. Examples are the fruit diet, vegetable diet or cabbage soup diet. The pounds drop quickly, but the yo-yo effect usually follows.
The low-carb diet is ideal for long-term diet success. There are different diets based on the low-carb principle, for example the Atkins diet, the Logi method or the Glyx diet.
One advantage of these diets is that you can specifically choose the products for the menu and eat yourself full.
There are no calories to be counted and you don't go hungry, so these diets are also suitable for everyday work. Such diets are particularly suitable in the long term to reduce excess weight and maintain the weight achieved in the long term without the yo-yo effect.
How can I avoid a yo-yo effect?
Basically, the success of the diet when losing weight with acupuncture is heavily dependent on the individual diet and sports program.
Acupuncture is more aimed at filling you up between main meals, reducing food cravings and boosting your fat metabolism.
Therefore, a yo-yo effect is less likely with this therapy. In general, a yo-yo effect can be avoided through a long-term healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise.
Read more on the topic: Jojo effect
Acupuncture for weight loss after pregnancy and breastfeeding
In general, nothing speaks against acupuncture for weight loss or other complaints after pregnancy, during or after breastfeeding.
When breastfeeding, acupuncture does not slow down the production of milk, as the metabolism is more likely to be stimulated. In addition, the side effects of acupuncture treatment occur very rarely and rarely occur with a professional doctor or alternative practitioner.
A woman who is breastfeeding can have acupuncture to lose weight. It is important that at least 1800 calories are ingested with food each day while breastfeeding and no less than 500 grams per week, i.e. two kilos per month, should be lost. It is important that the child to be breastfed is supplied with all the important nutrients and that the breastfeeding process is also energy-consuming for the mother.
Read more on the topic: Lose weight after pregnancy such as Lose weight while breastfeeding
Lose weight with acupressure
Applying gentle pressure or a little massage at the right points can help improve digestion and stop cravings.
Acupressure ensures that the energy flows better in the body and that the organs are better supplied with blood. If you activate the acupressure point "extinguishing lake", which is located in the middle of the upper arm between shoulder and elbow, by pressing for 30 seconds, the feeling of satiety should begin.
You can promote fat loss by activating the “Decorated Gate”. These points are where the arms touch the body. They should be stimulated for three minutes and get the liver and adipose tissue going.
Read more on the topic: Acupressure
