Acupuncture and Weight Loss

Acupuncture is one of the oldest traditional Chinese methodologies to relieve any form of pain. According to Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by relieving the blocks on the way of Chi (positive or life energy) that lead to imbalance, illness, poor health and fertility dysfunctions. Though mainly used for therapeutic purposes, acupuncture has made its way to cosmetology and other interesting sections of day-to-day life.

Acupuncture Facelift

Also called facial rejuvenation or cosmetic acupuncture, acupuncture facelift is the procedure used to enhance the physical appearance of one's face. Listed in most full-service spas, acupuncture facelift is no more a new phenomenon. It is been practiced for centuries to enhance beauty. Although the main technique is still questioned by many doctors, recent studies have proven that acupuncture can help to relieve arthritis pain.

Acupuncture facelift, an alternate to surgical facelift helps reduce wrinkles, and fine lines including crow's feet, laugh lines, necklines, stress and frown lines. The procedure also helps in improving the dark circles under your eyes and droopy eyelids, puffiness, sagging and poor skin tone.

Human face has many muscles. An acupuncturist uses acupuncture needles across these vital muscles or pressure points to stimulate them. During an acupuncture facelift, needles are placed in the hands, feet, and the facial area.

As the acupuncturist relaxes the needles, they fasten the circulation of the blood flow in the body thus increasing overall energy as well. Besides, the procedure also increases the collagen levels in the face, firms the bags under the eyes and adds tone to the neck and facial area.

Though there is no standard treatment, each acupuncturist performs the procedure after evaluating the patient on various fronts like general health, eating, sleeping and fitness habits and stress levels. After due evaluation of your overall health condition, your acupuncturist might decide on the number of sittings for acupuncture facelift. In general an acupuncture facelift can be anywhere between 6 to 25 treatments. Remember, more the wrinkles more the treatment is required.

Results can be seen after one session, but it is advised to have a series of 10-12 sessions to get the full benefit. The results are said to last for 3 - 5 years. Check with your acupuncturist for periodic treatments to maintain the lift.

Acupuncture and Weight Loss

Acupuncture weight loss is becoming popular among many since everyone is finding ways to reduce extra fat. Though practiced for many years, acupuncture weight loss treatment is still not understood by many. Acupuncture treatment for weight loss aims only to suppress appetite and assist in acquiring the lifestyle change necessary to maintain healthy weight.

The treatment involves inserting needles on particular spots of the skin. These needles stimulate the body to release endorphins, the hormone that controls body appetite. Endorphins are found to enhance the will power and metabolism in a human being. The acupuncture needles also relax the body and help the same to deal with stress, frustration, and urge to have an extra dose of food.

Theacupuncturist chooses the spots of needle insertion. Be frank with your acupuncturist. Discuss with him/her on your eating style, eating habits, digestive problems, and y our appetite. Followed by consultation, the acupuncturist checks your pulses to understand the general state of energy and measures the stomach energy.

After evaluating your body, the acupuncturist inserts the needle at certain pre-decided points. These points may include

• Mouth
  
• Stomach
  
• Lungs
  
• Shenmen
  
• Endocrine
  
• Adrenal and Ovary
  
• Spleen
  
• Kidney and
  
• Thyroid
  
  

Your acupuncturist chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending on your eating style and the result required. Electro stimulation on some of these points increases the endorphin release and stimulates the metabolism. During the treatments, three pressure points including Large Intestines 4 (HEGI), Pericardium 6 (Neiguan), and Stomach 36 (Zusanli) of the body are stimulated for two minutes. This stimulation helps in promoting the general health as well as improves digestion and relaxes the whole body.

As always, the acupuncturist decides the number of treatments required for a patient after evaluating their goals and needs. Severe overeating requires first five days of treatment followed by alternate days on second week and three days on third week. If you intend to lose five to ten pounds, one treatment every three days or twice a week can be ideal. For optimal results, try booster treatment once every two weeks.

Remember,the acupuncture program for weight loss should be supplemented with weight loss diet and an exercise regime. Acupuncture for weight loss is yet to be clinically proven, however it is proved that people who have gained weight due to stress can benefit from this program.

Acupuncture and fertility

Acupuncture treatment has found effective in treating many infertility issues. Few western researches have proved that acupuncture exerts a clear impact on our bodily systems, regulating hormones, increasing blood-flow, relieving pain, calming the mind, facilitating naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents and strengthening immunity.

Research specific to fertility acupuncture clearly report that the treatment promotes the circulation of blood in the pelvic cavity and improves ovarian function. Fertility acupuncture may be beneficial in promoting follicle production, enhancing uterine blood flow and improving uterine lining thickness.

Acupuncture is found to be effective in treating both male and female infertility. In female infertility, acupuncture helps in regulating reproductive hormone and assists in the maturation of ova or eggs. In men, acupuncture may help in both strengthening the sperm and enhancing sperm count.

Fertility acupuncture is used to stimulate egg production and regularize ovulation during the first half of the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and provide hormonal balance during the second half or the luteal phase. Acupuncture can also decrease the odds of miscarriage by helping sustain the integrity of the uterine lining that supports a pregnancy. The treatment can decrease symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), regulate cycles and decrease anxiety, stress and frustrations.

Hormonal imbalances connected with infertility can also be treated through acupuncture. Acupuncture treatment can bring balance to monthly menstrual cycle if you have irregular cycle periods, which are mild. In addition, cases of anovulation (failure to ovulate) or PCOS may be treatable with acupuncture.

Coming to the location of acupuncture needles, it varies from patient to patient and treatment to treatment. However, some of the predefined points used to influence the function of the female reproductive organs include lower back, lower abdomen, legs, lumbar, sacrum, head, neck, upper back, and arms. Your acupuncturist may use one or all of these points after due evaluation of your energy flow and stress level.