B4 2011 ends let me thank all the people like u, who made 2011beautiful 4me. I pray u b blessed with fruitful year ahead. Enjoy last week of the year.


By 
HolisticHealthAndFitnessCentre

 Better Bone Health: Acupuncture Therapy

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory states that blood stasis and the stagnancy of Qi (vital energy) is at the core of all orthopedic diseases. If blood circulation is not promoted, and stasis is not removed, new bones do not grow. Therefore, the dysfunction of the movement of Qi and blood can lead to the production of pathological changes of blood coagulation, stasis, and the occurrence of various orthopedic diseases.

Poor bone health is now a serious, worldwide problem, yet for thousands of years Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has known how to keep bones strong and healthy. Bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, herniated disks, necrosis, and fractures have been treated successfully with carefully balanced herbal formulas that have no harmful side effects.

TCM claims that the secret for optimum bone health lies in the functioning of the kidneys. The ancient Chinese texts state: "the kidneys are in charge of the bones." The kidneys store Qi, the vital essence believed to be responsible for health and vitality. When the Qi energy is strong, it can stimulate growth and transformation of the marrow, which nourishes and invigorates the skeleton. The Chinese ancients focused their attention on promoting the generation of Qi, knowing that this vital essence would naturally and powerfully promote blood and bone health.

Today, Chinese doctors and researchers are once again turning to the traditional herbal formulas to address bone problems. One of these ancient bone formulas was known in China as “The Eternal Bone Healing Formula”. It originated from the Yi People in the Yunnan Province of China, a culture famous for their knowledge of the healing power of plants.  

Chinese herbal formulas are uniquely powerful and effective for a number of reasons.  Traditional usage dates back thousands of years; therefore safety and effectiveness are well proven.  Secondly, even though the individual herbs are chosen for specific therapeutic effects, the precise gathering and blending of the herbs enhances the effectiveness of the individual components, creating a powerful synergy that compounds their effects.  It is this synergistic value that helps create the holistic influence on the body, while simultaneously addressing the individual malady.

An additional important point is that Traditional Chinese Medicine rarely creates harmful side effects. The aim of TCM is to create wellness in the entire body at the same time as it deals with specific problems. Yin/yang balance underlies the Traditional Chinese concept of perfect health. Disease is considered an imbalance, and any treatment should include restoring perfect yin/yang balance. By restoring a balanced environment, the body can use the tools it has to heal itself and prevent the formation of disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine provides a holistic, balancing effect by working with strengthening the entire system. 

Many bone problems originate from poor circulation, inhibiting the delivery of vital nutrients to the bone cells. In addition, when dead cells are not washed away and are allowed to build up, stagnation is compounded.  To counteract this, TCM ancients knew they needed to develop an herbal bone formula that combined rich kidney tonics, amino acids, and herbs that revitalized the cell systems and enhanced blood circulation and microcirculation. From modern science we know that the revitalization of the cell systems and enhanced blood circulation can produce positive results for bone problems and simultaneously invigorate a person’s energy, or Qi, and overall vitality. 

Since Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used to treat every known problem in existence, TCM bone formulas address the wide range of bone disorders plaguing our modern world. Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal remedies, coupled with healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, have much to offer in improving the quality of life for those who suffer from bone and joint problems. 

Water The Element of Power and Patience

           Water The Element of Power and Patience

Here is another post I wrote for the blog Hopefulparents. 

In the philosophy of Acupuncture Therapy , there are five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These five elements are not simply the materials associated with each of the names, but rather they are metaphors for describing how things interact and relate to each other. Each of the Five Elements represents an aspect of a dynamic process and phases of change.

Water is the element of winter; therefore this is a good month to discuss it. Water is one of the most powerful elements. In nature, we have seen water’s dangerous wrath, remember the tsunami in Southeast Asia? Yet water is also patient and slow. We see how water can slowly smooth the surface of a rock by years of continual gentle persistence. From these examples, we understand that Water represents fluidity, or the ability to "go with the flow.” I really appreciate this aspect – water is quiet, still, and patient, yet unyielding, determined, and unstoppable. Hopeful parents can relate to water’s ability to adapt, to go with the flow when necessary, to exercise determination when needed, to be a source of growth, and to remain optimistically determined for long stretches of time. Human emotions exist in a wide range. It is healthy for us to feel all the emotions - from happiness, to irritation, to sadness and joy and everything in between. Acupuncture Therapy  says that the key is to allow our feelings to arrive, to be experienced and to leave.

For my logo, I use the Chinese symbol that signifies The Tao. Tao Te Ching, better known as The Tao is a book written by Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher. Literally translated, The Tao means "the way". It is the source of great wisdom and some famous Chinese sayings such as, "Even a 1,000 mile journey starts with a single step".

The Tao symbol is often compared to water: clear, colorless, and able to form itself as both a wave and a little trickle. All beings depend on water for life and even the hardest stone cannot stand in its way forever. I love the symbolism of water in TCM because water represents the epitome of adaptability and strength all at once.

                 Acupuncture For Stress And Anxiety

At one time or another, all of us experience stress. These feelings are a healthy response to events in our lives that may feel beyond our control. When we are healthy and the stress is short-lived, we are usually able to recover without too much wear and tear to our overall health. However, when the stress is extreme, or if it lasts a long time, our emotional health and ultimately, our physical health begin to suffer.

Our bodies are hardwired to help us react to stressful events. At the first sign of a threat, whether real or perceived, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in and facilitates what is called the “fight or flight” response. Our heart rate increases, our pupils dilate, and our digestion temporarily shuts down, directing blood to our extremities, so that if need be, we can either fight what is threatening us, or turn and run if the threat is too formidable.

Unfortunately, the “fight or flight” response, which worked well in caveman days, does not serve us as well if the “threat” is a demanding boss, nasty co-worker or even a worrisome situation that is not being resolved. More often than not, the stress in our lives is long-term, and as a result, we find ourselves in a constant state of “fight or flight”, or stress. Over time, the constant state of stress takes its toll. Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone elevates, blood pressure increases, and our immune function is suppressed. Over time, these symptoms become worse and can develop into anxiety, depression, fatigue, digestive problems, and tension headaches.

Emotions from a Acupuncture Therapy Perspective

In Acupuncture Therapy, stress, anxiety, depression or any strong emotion interrupts the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. According to acupuncture therapy, energy flows through our body through a network of “roads”, almost like a highway system. Stress, anger, or any intense emotion acts like a traffic jam, blocking the free flow of energy in the body. For example, many people who are very stressed out complain of upper back, shoulder and neck pain. This is because stress is causing tension in those areas, blocking the free flow of energy, causing pain, tightness, and often leading to headaches.

In a highway system, when there is road construction or an accident, traffic may be also backed up on other secondary roads that feed into or out of the affected area. This is true in the body, too. Stress may affect many other parts of the body, most notably digestion, the ability to sleep, pain conditions, and blood pressure. Stress can also aggravate an already troublesome health condition.

Through acupuncture, theses energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points serve as the on and off ramps to the energy highway, and can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself.

From a Western viewpoint, acupuncture works to alleviate stress by releasing natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain, called endorphins. In addition, acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles.

                                                                                                                            
Anger and The Element of Wood

 Angry?

We all get angry sometimes, right? I certainly can get furious and I'm sure many of you have plenty of angry moments. It hurts to feel angry and it is often treated as an unacceptable emotion. But, Traditional Chinese Medicine has a different view of anger.

Classical Five Element Chinese Medicine theory says that each of each of the five elements has a particular emotion related to it. The emotion of the Wood Element is Anger. The Wood element is connected to the emotion of anger. The Wood element is also the element of Spring, making it appropriate to think about now.

Wood exemplifies the energy of growth, change, and pushing through It is a very active energy that allows for a lot of movement and progress, both internally and externally. In Spring, we may have more energy to get moving on projects, hence the classic “spring cleaning.” It is a good time of year to work on any blockages. We want to get things moving so we can have access to all that great energy. Spring is a time of action, change and rebirth.

On the other side, when thwarted or constrained, wood is also the energy of frustration, anger and stress. Like the Wood element, anger can make us hard and unbendable - like the tree that snaps in a strong wind instead of swaying

So what can we learn from the Wood element? The key here is flexibility. If we hold ourselves too rigidly, we will break and crumble. If we are too loose and wobbly, like a badly rooted tree, there is no growth and real potential for change. So, the healthy balance is to remain flexible but engaged. Because the Wood element exemplifies the energy of growth, it is also about vision, planning and decision making, essential for creative change. Try to be assertive (not angry), flexible (not rigid), and remain engaged with our eyes on the important people and projects in our life.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, elements are also associated with body organs. The Wood element represents the liver and the gall bladder. The liver function is considered to be the grand architect for our vision of the future. The liver is the center of strategic planning. President Obama is a great example of the wood element at it's best. The Gall Bladder is thought to be the center of our ability to make decisions and judge wisely. From the functions of the liver and the gall bladder, we can plan and choose – we combine new future possibilities with the wisdom of the past and, as a result, are able to see the clear and appropriate course to take.

                                                       Acupuncture And Autism

Tongue acupuncture can improve the lives of children with autism, according to scientists from Hong Kong. 

Speaking recently at the World Congress of Neurology in London, the researchers claim that it can make children calmer and more stable, making it easier for them to learn and look after themselves. BBC Science reports.

Toothpick and Tongue

Acupuncture dates from several millennia back in Chinese history; tongue acupuncture by contrast is just a couple of decades old but is becoming increasingly popular in Hong Kong.

Based on traditional methods of acupuncture, where needles are used to stimulate pressure points on the body, therefore releasing blocked energy or Qi, recipients of tongue acupuncture have described the sensation as similar to being ‘pricked with a toothpick’.

Researchers now see the tongue as an attractive thing to stick their needles in because it's full of nerves, and in recent years scientists have produced hints that it might help people recover after a stroke. 

However this is the first time that the potential of tongue acupuncture and autism has been explored.

What Is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. 

This means that in many cases, autistic children have problems with social interaction, and problems with verbal and non-verbal communication. This can also lead to low IQ scores. 

Nobody really knows what causes autism. However, it is thought that genetic factors are likely to play a crucial role. 

Research has also linked the condition with a variety of conditions affecting brain development which occur before, during, or very soon after birth.

Acupuncture And Autism

According to the scientists at The University Of Hong Kong, the new research aims to ‘improve the overall functional dependence in ASD children by tongue acupuncture.’ 

Dr Virginia Wong, who led the investigators, recently told the World Congress of Neurology that the treatment helps autistic children lead a more normal life. 

She says children who are hyperactive or aggressive have become calmer and emotionally stable after acupuncture treatment. 

The holistic acupuncture treatment was carried out on a control group of 30 children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. According to the researchers, after a period of treatment, teachers who were blind to the study, found:

‘Improvement in children in terms of behaviour, communication skills and also higher intelligent quotient, have more imagination – draw better, more coherence in their composition and writing up of stories and become more initiative.’

Dr Wong believes that tongue acupuncture treats the symptoms of autism, rather than autism itself, but doctors at the Congress said that if her results can be replicated, tongue acupuncture could potentially become a standard treatment in years to come.

ACUPUNCTURE

ACUPUNCTURE

                              5 Steps to a Healthy Heart with Acupuncture Therapy

By integrating Acupuncture therapy into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease.

Heart disease includes conditions affecting the heart, such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in India & Worldwide Nations .

Taking small steps to improve your health can reduce your risk for heart disease by as much as eighty percent. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress and improved sleep - all of which can be helped with Acupuncture Therapy .

1. Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

Acupuncture Therapy has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart’s activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

2. Quit Smoking
Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about twenty percent of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture Therapy has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.

Acupuncture Therapy is an excellent adjunctive tool when it comes to losing weight. It  help’s  to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

4. Reduce Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. But if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren't sure exactly how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of Acupuncture Therapy  in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to Acupuncture Therapy , can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check.

5. Improve Sleep
Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Acupuncture Therapy has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The Acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use Acupuncture Therapy for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.

Contact an Acupuncture Therapist for a consultation who can assist you with your heart health and help you to live a long, healthy life.

                                                                                  

 Shonishin: Acupuncture for Children

Shonishin pediatric acupuncture (sho=little, ni=children, shin=needle) is a specialized form of treatment for infants and children that became renowned in the 1700s in the Osaka region of Japan. To this day, Japanese parents regularly bring children for shonishin treatment, and the shonishin approach is increasing in popularity around the world.

Children’s bio-energetic systems are not fully formed and, being at the most “yang” phase of their existence, their energy (Qi) moves extremely rapidly. Consequently, children’s systems can be easily over stimulated, and health problems can progress rapidly.

Shonishin focuses on gentle, specialized, mostly non-inserted treatment techniques that children find comfortable and even pleasurable. Dramatic results can be obtained even with very light treatment.

The ancient classics of China, such as the Ling Shu, describe nine types of needles, several of which were clearly never intended to pierce the skin. Three of these non-inserted needles — the enshin, the teishin, and the zanshin — are considered basic to the practice of shonishin pediatric acupuncture. Over the years, many additional tools and supplementary techniques have been designed specifically for pediatric therapy.

Shonishin techniques involve rhythmic stroking, rubbing, tapping, and pressing the skin to give different kinds of gentle stimulation. These techniques harmonize and fortify the child’s vital energy, and strengthen the child’s constitution.

Shonishin is used to treat a wide variety of problems, including:

·                 Failure to thrive syndrome

·                 Weak constitution

·                 Colic, excessive night crying, temper tantrums

·                 Indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea

·                 Night terrors

·                 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

·                 Allergies, asthma, and colds

·                 Eczema and hives

·                 Ear infections

·                 Bedwetting

·                 Stuttering

·                 Cerebral palsy

The specifics of the treatment (frequency, dosage, strength) depend on the practitioner, the age, and condition of the child, among other factors. Treatments for children are actually very brief: a typical treatment generally lasts only one to five minutes. Generally speaking, the older the child, the longer the treatment. It’s particularly important that the practitioner develops a touch (and a heart) that a child responds to!

The key to successful Shonishin treatment is “less is better.” The beauty of Shonishin is its simplicity, gentleness, and effectiveness. 

Acupuncture and Low Back Pain

Low back pain is an extremely common concern, affecting anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work and is one of the most common reasons to seek medical care, including acupuncture. In fact, one of the top reasons that people get acupuncture treatments is for low back pain.

The Acupuncture Therapy Perspective of Low Back Pain


In spite of the large number of pathological conditions that can give rise to low back pain, up to 85% of the cases are classified by Western physicians as 'non-specific'. When low back pain is looked at from an Acupuncture therapy perspective, it is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi within the area, associated with a specific disharmony and then treated accordingly.


The basis of acupuncture is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: "Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong" which means "free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain."
In other words, any kind of pain or illness represents an obstruction in the normal flow of Qi or life force. Simply put, acupuncture moves Qi, restoring free flow.


The disruption of Qi that results in low back pain is usually associated with the following three disharmonies:


Weak Kidney Qi – In Acupuncture Therapy, the lower back is referred to as the “dwelling of the Kidneys”. The majority of chronic low back pain conditions are associated with Kidney Deficiency. Kidney Deficiency type pain is dull and comes and goes. It is usually aggravated by over tiredness and improves with rest.


Stagnation of Qi and Blood - When the flow of Qi along the meridians that traverse the lumbar region becomes congested, it is referred to as the stagnation of Qi and blood. This presents with a severe stabbing pain that is worse with rest and better with movement, tender to touch and can be accompanied by stiffness and tightness.


Invasion of Cold and Dampness - Cold, damp type pain is worse in the morning and when the weather is cold and damp. This type of pain improves with movement and the application of heat. Stiffness and contraction of back muscles that is aggravated by rest indicates cold predominance while swelling, numbness and a heavy sensation are indicative of dampness.


Studies on Acupuncture and Low Back Pain


While acupuncture is readily accepted as a viable option for low back pain in mainstream modern medicine, there has been little research to prove that it works. Now there are studies that support the clinical evidence.


In a German study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 1,162 adults with chronic, lower back pain were divided into groups treated with the standard pharmaceutical and exercise therapy commonly used in Western medicine and acupuncture. The researchers reported that acupuncture provided relief and lasting benefit to nearly twice as many lower back pain patients as drugs and exercise. Forty-eight percent of the acupuncture patients reported at least a one-third decrease in pain along with improvement in their ability to function, versus 27 percent of the patients treated with conventional methods reporting such benefits.


In another recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine analyzed 33 studies covering more than 2,100 patients from around the world on acupuncture for low back pain.


They found acupuncture provided definite pain relief (defined as relief sustained for three weeks after the end of the acupuncture sessions).

If you or someone suffers from acute and chronic back pain , call a acupuncture therapist who can help you.

Recharge Your Battery this Winter with Acupuncture 

If you feel tired and drained, you are not alone. "Lack of energy" is one of the top five complaints that doctors hear in their offices. According to Oriental medicine, the cold months of winter are the perfect time to recharge your battery and generate vital energy – Qi - in order to live, look, and feel your best.

The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on health, replenish energy and conserve strength.

Winter is ruled by the Water element, which is associated with the Kidneys, Bladder and Adrenal Glands. The Kidneys are considered the source of all energy or “Qi” within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. 

During the winter months, it is important to nurture and nourish our Kidney Qi; it is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation and storage. 

The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advises people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own Yang Qi for the task of warming in the face of cold.

Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished. Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture and nourish kidney Qi which can greatly enhance the body's ability to thrive in times of stress, aid in healing, prevent illness and increase vitality. 

Find a acupuncture therapist and schedule your seasonal tune-up today!

Treatment of Skin Conditions with Acupuncture




Acupuncture Therapy can be very effective at treating skin conditions. Treatments can provide quick relief for acute symptoms and can provide significant and lasting relief from recurrent or chronic skin conditions.


The skin reflects and reacts to imbalances within the body's internal landscape and the effects of the environment. 
Internal disharmonies caused by strong emotions, diet, and your constitution as well as environmental influences, such as wind, dryness, dampness, and heat can all contribute to the development of a skin disorder.


 To keep your skin healthy and beautiful on the outside, you must work on the inside of your body as well. Increasing the flow of energy, blood and lymph circulation improves the skin's natural healthy color.


Promotion of collagen production increases muscle tone and elasticity helping to firm the skin. Stimulating the formation of body fluids nourishes the skin and encourages it to be moister, softer, smoother and more lustrous.


General skin conditions that can be treated with acupuncture therapy include acne, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, shingles and urticaria (hives).


 Acupuncture Therapy does not recognize skin problems as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques with acupuncture therapy to restore imbalances found in the body. 


Therefore, if 10 patients are treated with Acupuncture Therapy for eczema, each patient will receive a unique, customized treatment .




If you suffer from a skin condition or would like to know how to optimize your skin health, find an acupuncturist and learn more about how acupuncture 

The Acupuncture Weight Loss Solution

I am going to tell you a secret. All diets will work if they lower your caloric intake and you STICK TO IT! It’s pure physics: Our weight is determined by the amount of energy that we take in, and the amount of energy we expend. 
So why is obesity now a national epidemic? 
The problem is that it is against our nature to limit calories. We instinctively eat more than we need to. This is a “gift” passed down from our hunter-gatherer ancestors from a time when there wasn't a drive-thru window on every corner.  We also tend to eat in excess due to our modern lifestyles, chronic stress, and other psychological “triggers”.
Going to Extremes
People will go to drastic measures to lose weight. Fad diets ask you to eat an unnatural and unhealthy diet, such as a meal plan of cabbage soup or pineapples or rice or no-carbs,  They may work in the short term because of the low caloric intake, but there is absolutely no way you can keep it up. Your body and mind will rebel and take revenge for putting it on such a restrictive regime, rather than providing whole foods and a “whole diet” with proper nutrients. Instinctively, your body will crave foods and gorge, filling up, terrified of and preparing for the next starvation, packing on fat for stored energy.
Eating an unnatural and highly restrictive diet can cause yo-yo dieting and drastic ups and downs in body weight. Improper diet practices can also cause malnutrition, organ damage, slow metabolic rate and imbalances within the body.
Wouldn’t it be great to decrease the amount of food that you take in, and increase the amount of energy you expend? It’s entirely possible, thanks to Acupuncture Therapy . Acupuncture Therapy address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. A comprehensive therapy for weight issues rooted in TCM promotes better digestion, smooths emotions, reduces appetite, improves metabolism, and eliminates food cravings. 
Weight loss according to Acupuncture Therapy :
According to Acupuncture Therapy , the root of excess weight is an imbalance within the body caused by malfunctioning of the spleen and liver organ systems.
In five-element theory, the spleen is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system, ensuring that the food we eat is transformed into Qi — the vital substance of life. Disharmony of the spleen will have symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool, and feeling of heaviness.
 
The liver’s job is to keep the flow of your body’s Qi and blood (as well as your emotions) running smoothly. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyle and chronic stress can negatively impact the liver’s ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen and the whole digestive system to function poorly and decrease your metabolism. Liver disharmony can also cause some of the “triggers” that lead to cravings and compulsive eating. 
Backed by Research
A growing body of research supports the use of Acupuncture Therapy  in weight loss:

·                 A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.

·                 In a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia in 1998, 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the acupuncture group was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

·                
The Acupuncture Weight Loss Treatment
From a TCM perspective, the Acupuncture points, that are chosen to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the spleen and liver systems to treat the root imbalances that are causing the weight gain.
 
From a Western perspective, Acupuncture Therapy have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.
Acupuncture Therapy for Weight Loss
The beauty of acupuncture is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system.
 
In addition to treating the root of the imbalance within the body, different acupuncture points may be chosen for each treatment as different symptoms arise. For instance, if you are experiencing a desire to overeat related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) one week, then that can be addressed at that week’s appointment.
Generally treatments are scheduled once or twice a week for 8 to 12 weeks or until the goal weight has been reached. The treatments include a combination of auricular (ear) and body acupuncture, ear tacks or pellets to leave on in-between treatments .

·                 Ear Points
Acupuncture points on the ears have been found to be particularly effective for weight loss. The human ear has been described as a micro-system of the body in an inverted fetal position; it contains points relating to all major organs and body parts.
 
Auricular points for weight loss are stimulated with small tacks during treatment. Then seed-sized beads or magnets are taped to the points to enhance the effectiveness of the points at home. The beads will generally stay in place for 3 days to a week and can be gently massaged for 10-second intervals if cravings occur.

A Total Health Program
Most patients report a marked decline in appetite and cravings with Acupuncture Therapy alone and can definitely enhance the efficacy of the treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy : The Acupuncture points are chosen during a weight loss treatment and are for promoting healthy digestion, energizing the body, augmenting Qi, and improve elimination of water, toxins, and waste products.
Acupuncture Therapy is a powerful tool for healthy weight loss, by itself or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs. 
In the struggle to eat less and expend more energy, you may find that acupuncture is just what was needed to overcome cravings, boost energy, enhance your metabolism, and increase your willpower to succeed!