Have you ever thought of trying ear acupuncture to help you lose weight? Being a fibromyalgia sufferer and, consequently, extremely overweight due to the disease, my pain doctor uses ear acupuncture to help me lose weight. But, does ear acupuncture really work? This is a first-hand account of the use of ear acupuncture, and acupuncture on other parts of the body, in an effort to lose weight.
More and more people in America are becoming obese. Usually, there are underlying issues which make us have the inability to follow a diet plan. Depression, stress, prescription side effects or other medical problems may be the reason for the urge to constantly munch. What about this thing called ear acupuncture? Could ear acupuncture be the magical cure for controlling our appetite? I have personally used ear acupuncture in an effort to control my appetite and the results may or may not be want you want to hear.
What is acupuncture anyway?
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. The acupuncture concept is to insert small sterile needles into specific parts of the body to treat pain or other health problems. Strategically placed needles produce a loss of sensation in another area of the body, regulate the flow of chi, or energy, and restore a healthy flow of energy in the body. Professional acupuncturists are experts on exactly which part of the body to insert these needles to stimulate the needed result. Do not try this at home, kids!
How does ear acupuncture work in promoting weight loss?
Acupuncture used in aiding weight loss can include ear acupuncture, or auricular therapy, as well as inserting acupuncture needles into other parts of the body. Your acupuncturist may recommend using ear tacks to aid in weight loss, as my doctor has. Ear tacks are position in the area of the ear that stimulate thirst and hunger. Ear tacks are tiny metal tacks that are inserted into particular areas of the ear. Ear tacks are designed to stay in the ear cartilage for a few days up to a week. Your acupuncturist will put tiny band-aids over the tacks to prevent the ear tacks from coming out prematurely.
In my particular case, I visit my doctor once a month for acupuncture treatment. Your doctor may request that you visit more often, even weekly or bi-monthly, depending on your situation.
What do the ear tacks look like?
In the first photo, to the left of the title of this article, you will see exactly where the ear tacks are placed in the ear. While the two ear tacks positioned in the middle of the ear stimulate thirst and hunger, you may not need ear tacks in all of the areas shown, it only illustrates what my acupuncturist feels may help with my individual health problems. The second photo included in this article will demonstrate the size of the ear tacks. To see the second photo, click on the tiny square outline of a box in the upper left corner of the first photo. From there you can choose photo number two. As you can see, the ear tacks are very, very small.
Electro stimulation used with weight loss acupuncture
My doctor also uses electro stimulation on some of the acupuncture points to increase the endorphin release. Your acupuncturist may choose to do the same. Electro stimulation can be used with weight loss acupuncture, as well as acupuncture to assist with pain or other health related problems. Electro stimulation is done by connecting wires to the acupuncture needles which lead to a small battery-powered box that produces a slight shock through the needles.
Does acupuncture hurt?
The idea of someone inserting needles or ear tacks into your skin probably hurts more than the insertion of the needles/tacks themselves. There is a slight discomfort when the needles are inserted, I’m not going to lie. Because my doctor inserts the ear tacks into my left ear, attempting to sleep on my left side does seem to make my ear a little sore. I must say, it is a relief when the temporary ear tacks do fall out by themselves.
Ear acupuncture, as well as acupuncture used in conjunction with other areas of the body to aid in weight loss, does seem to curb the appetite.
There’s a feeling that you just aren’t that hungry. The disinterest in eating does seem to dissipate after about a week. I have lost up to three or four pounds; however, when the acupuncture wears off, I gained it back. Stress or other ailments may disrupt the effectiveness of the weight loss acupuncture, as I have learned from experience.
I hope this article regarding ear tacks and acupuncture to help with weight loss will give some insight as to what these acupuncture methods are all about. You may want to give ear acupuncture a shot. It may help you lose weight.
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