Our bodies need that energy flowing to maintain or lose weight and we all know that one of the best Chi stimulants is found at the end of a tiny needle (or 100).
1. Obesity Hormone Slaying. Yep, there are hormones that when left unchecked can contribute to weight gain by making you think you're hungry when your body is not. Now, imagine you've got a giant sword that will keep
those nasty hormones in line and help you manage your cravings. That's what well-placed (tiny) acupuncture needles are like. They know how to handle Ghrelin and Leptin (aka the hunger hormones). En garde!
2. Better Rest. Sleep yourself slim. Seems like a bad pitch line from a scam product, right? Studies have found that sleep deprivation adds to weight gain. Why? First of all, when we are sleep deprived, our body goes into emergency mode by slowing down our metabolism. Yep, that thing you want to be working full-time to help you lose or maintain your weight. Plus, when we don't get enough sleep we are more likely to skip the gym, reach for fattening or sugary foods for energy, and make poor meal decisions. And, without a good night's rest, our body doesn't release as much cortisol, which means we feel more stressed leading to more of the above. Acupuncture treatments can lead to a deeper sleep and even
fight off insomnia.
3. Cortisol Control (aka stress management). You may think that the reason we gain weight when we're under stress is because we reach for food as a coping mechanism. That's true, but the other reason is because during stressful times, our body creates an abundance of the hormone cortisol. Studies show that increased levels of cortisol contribute to fat storage - especially belly fat. You want flat abs? Start by chilling out with some acupuncture treatments, man.
4. Balance Insulin. You don't have to be diabetic to care about your insulin levels. When there's too much of it in the body, it actually starts to store excess fat. Acupuncture can help the body manage insulin levels so that you maintain a good blood sugar level and have the energy you need for that workout, but not so much that it stock piles fat.
5. Digestion. What you put in your mouth is only part of the equation when it comes to losing or maintaining weight. How it gets processed and comes out of the body is the other part. Acupuncture can be used to stimulate digestion and
treat inflammation that may be slowing down digestion. A few little needles going in will soon equal good coming out.
6. Mood. Let's admit it, food can sometimes be a comfort when we're not having the best day. And that's all fine and good once in a while. Unfortunately, food and mood can quickly develop into a co-dependent situation. So, tackle the problem at the source with a happiness-boosting acupuncture session. Certain points can trigger the release of positive neurotransmitters in the brain, like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. And that happy feeling lasts a lot longer than the sugar rush from a glazed donut.
As you can see, acupuncture for weight loss is about supporting your efforts to 'exercise and eat right' while putting your body in optimal position to put that
healthy weight plan into hyper-drive.
