Who couldn’t stand to lose a few pounds? The statistics show that 108 million people in the United States are currently on a diet and that the annual revenue of the weight loss industry, including diet books, diet drugs, and weight loss surgeries comes to a staggering total of over $20 billion dollars in 2012. Research also shows that many people are trapped in weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting, where they lose weight only to gain it right back with a few extra pounds, then diet again, then gain again…..you get the picture.
To learn more about how acupuncture can help with weight loss, contact Dr. Tony Willcox for a consultation. Pick up the phone and call 561-274-4447 or contact us online.
Other people choose to go on a medical route to address their weight loss needs. Who hasn’t heard of the horrors of fen-phen, deaths from the stimulant epinephrine, diet pills containing tapeworms, or the oily discharge caused as a side effect of some diet pills? What about bariatric, weight loss surgery? Sure, many people lose weight because the surgery shrinks the size of the stomach and bypasses much of the intestinal tract, causing people to absorb much less of the nutrients in food. After bariatric surgery, the digestive system is never again able to work the way it was intended to work.
There are many reasons people become overweight. Poor nutrition, unhealthy food supply, chemicals, or toxins in the food chain, hormone imbalances, slow metabolism, over-eating, genetic predisposition, or a lack of exercise are some of the common reasons. Doesn’t it seem there should be a more natural, gentle way to correct the underlying causes of weight gain instead of turning to fad diets, diet pills with side effects, or major surgery?
Acupuncture is one method many people are finding an effective way to assist them in their weight loss journey. In traditional Chinese medicine, weight gain is seen as an imbalance in the energy flow to and from the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates metabolism. Acupuncture restores the balance in the flow of this energy, called “qi.” When this balance is corrected, the hypothalamus works properly, restoring the body’s metabolism to an active, healthy state. Research shows that acupuncture influences the hormones related to obesity, ghrelin, and leptin, and restores them to healthy, effective levels. Acupuncture can also curb the appetite, improve digestion, and strengthen the liver. A healthy lifestyle is still needed to lose weight, but acupuncture can work hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle to lead to a more effective and long-lasting weight loss journey.
Medical research supports the effectiveness of acupuncture in assisting with weight loss. One recent study comparing acupuncture with prescription diet drugs showed that acupuncture is just as effective in assisting with weight loss without any of the side effects of weight loss medications. Another study published in the International Journal of Obesity completed a review of 31 different studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity. This review showed that when compared to a change of lifestyle alone, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in average body weight. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes when compared to conventional medications used for the treatment of obesity.
Certainly, obesity is not a simple issue. There are no easy fixes for being overweight. Good nutrition, an active lifestyle, and reducing stress are all essential parts of living a healthy lifestyle. However, adding acupuncture to your regular health routine can be an important part of achieving and maintaining your ideal weight. Dr. Tony Wilcox of Acupuncture Zen in Delray Beach, Florida can develop an individualized treatment plan to assist you in reaching your healthiest life, naturally, through acupuncture.
To set an appointment with Dr. Tony Willcox at Acupuncture Zen, call 561-274-4447 or schedule an appointment online and see how his acupuncture can help you with weight loss.