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Acupuncture and Weight Loss: Relief for Anxiety and Cravings
Source: Discovery Health Channel, by Dr. Andrea Pennington, May, 2004

Irritability and anxiousness usually come hand in hand with trying to lose weight — not to mention those dastardly cravings! But a recent study in the journal Medical Acupunture suggests that the practice of ear acupuncture may help those trying to shed pounds. The study states that ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy), in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, can be effective in treating obesity. The randomized control trial found that acupuncture helped diminish cravings, curb appetite and ease anxiety.

Trial Results: 10 Pounds Lost in Eight Weeks With Acupuncture

Previous studies have shown that placing needles at certain points of the ear can decrease appetite and lipid levels, reduce anxiety and promote weight loss. The author of this recent study, Abraham Kuruvilla, M.D., conducted an eight-week trial with obese health-care workers from Pheonix, Ariz., to determine whether acupuncture coupled with exercise and a reduced-calorie diet would be more effective than diet and exercise alone.

The study participants were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture or a control group. The women in both groups weighed between 179 and 208 pounds and had body mass indices (BMI) of between 31 and 53, which qualified them as medically obese. (To find out your BMI, click here.) For eight weeks, both groups followed the same diet and exercise regimen, consuming approximately 2,000 calories a day (as prescribed by the American Diabetes Association) and took a 15-minute walk each day. The only difference was that the acupuncture group received ear acupuncture on a weekly basis.

After eight weeks, Dr. Kuruvilla and his team discovered that those who received acupuncture while decreasing their caloric intake and exercising daily lost an average of 10 pounds, while the control group (no acupuncture) lost an average of three pounds.

 
Decreased Appetite and No Anxiety

Interestingly, all of the acupuncture patients reported a decrease in appetite — which can really help when trying to stick to a new meal plan!

I have used acupuncture in weight management for some time now, and many of my clients describe that they feel less anxious and are better able to stick to their new diet regimens. Here's why:

 
How Ear Acupuncture Works

The ear is considered a microsystem of the body. Every part of the body — including internal organs, the brain, bones, etc. — is said to be represented on the ear. It is suggested that we can contact the "energy" of the body and target specific organs by placing tiny needles in certain points of the ear.

In this study, Dr. Kuruvilla targeted points that correspond to the mouth, small intestine and stomach, all of which are critical for eating, digestion and absorption. Acupuncture was applied to the endocrine point, which helps the body metabolize food, and to a point called Shen Men (translated as "Spirit Gate") to help ease anxiety related to dieting. Dr. Kuruvilla found that "needling these points helps the body to function well against obesity."

Noting that 100 percent of the acupuncture participants reported a decrease in appetite and had a total weight loss nearly three times greater than controls suggests that when used with traditional weight-loss measures, acupuncture is quite effective. More studies must be conducted to determine whether patients maintain the weight loss over time.

For those who really struggle with irritability and cravings while dieting, acupuncture offers a wonderful addition to a weight-loss regimen.

 
Reference
1.
Medical Acupuncture Volume 14/Number 2
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