Can Acupuncture Help You Lose Weight?

Mon, Jan 06, 2020

Enjoy our weekly wellness tip from Licensed Acupuncturist, Michael Savalli, from the office of Elizabeth Martin.

Can Acupuncture Help You Lose Weight?

The short answer is yes, it can help, but this needs some explanation.  Just like with other treatments, acupuncture is not a magic pill.  Instead, it is an effective component of a plan that includes other lifestyle and wellness practices.  Acupuncture is just one part of the overall healthcare system we call Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  All of which can be helpful towards losing weight.  So the question becomes, “why should you consider acupuncture/TCM as part of your weight-loss plans?”

For starters, the most important part of any weight-loss plan will still be diet and activity.  For many of us, changing diet to more healthy foods can be quite difficult.  Acupuncture can help us to be more aware of our body’s nutritional requirements.  In this way, regular treatments can help reduce cravings for foods our bodies really don’t need.  Acupuncture also benefits the function of internal organs, especially the spleen and stomach.  This makes for better digestion, and you get the most nutrition from your meals.  Last but not least, by helping us feel more relaxed and at ease, acupuncture can help reduce stress, and it’s related to poor eating habits.

There are many diets out there for weight-loss and health.  I recommend you find one that allows you to enjoy your food while getting quality and nutritious calories.  In TCM that is no different, but it does offer a different approach towards food than we are familiar with.  Instead of counting calories and nutrient analysis, TCM looks at the energetic qualities of foods.  That is, the physiological effects foods have on the body, based on their flavor and nature.  Flavors are sour, bitter, salty, etc.  and nature is warm, cool, neutral, etc.  This methodology also looks at how particular foods affect the functions of your internal organs.  In this way, it can be personalized to the nutritional needs of your body.

Lastly, we look at exercise.  There are many kinds of exercise, and activities that promote weight-loss, (and not just weight-loss, but healthy!)  I won’t go into them at length, but I will mention TaiChi and QiGong, as they too are part of TCM.  These practices offer mild but effective exercise, that help you to get more movement into your daily routine.  They can be modified and adapted to be done by people of any age and ability.  We offer some versions of these, (there are many), at Hands On Acupuncture and Massage.  If you’re looking for a place to get started with these types of exercise, please inquire at our office.

Making the choice to lose weight is one of the best ways to improve your health, and feel good about yourself.  But it is not simple.  I encourage you to keep trying because it can be done.  I’ve seen it many times.  Stay motivated and focused on your goals.  I wish you success!

Meet Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

Michael is a board certified NY State Licensed Acupuncturist, who received his Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine from New York College of Health Professions.  While in this program, he also specialized in Chinese Herbal Medicine. If you or anyone you know is interested in staying healthy this season, schedule your appointment and learn how Acupuncture and herbs can boost your immunity. 

631-601-6491

Click to learn more about Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

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We Sell Products

To enhance your healthy lifestyle experience we sell all forms of Chinese herbal linaments, to pain patches and liquids that help the pain, enhance healing, and promote wellness. Each product has been carefully selected and tested. We only sell high-quality medicinal grade products. Ask your practitioner what products would be right for you!

631-601-6491

Crystal Bowl Sound Healing
Group Meditation

Sound healing is a form of meditation that is performed in a group where you lay on a yoga mat and let the sound transport you. 
Sound healing has many benefits including:

• reducing stress and anxiety
• improves circulation
• deepens relaxation
• increases mental & emotional clarity. 
• restores balance

Vibrational sound healing can be traced back from present-day trends to many ancient civilizations including India, Africa, Europe, and the Orient. The idea is to restore balance to the chakra system and clearing the blocked energy within ourselves. Sound healing is similar to reiki healing; It is a form of energy healing that allows your body to self-regulate and self heal.

Let the sounds vibrate through you to feel the power of self-preservation and healing.
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Stick with those resolutions!  2020 is a marathon, not a sprint!!

With Love,

Liz

Elizabeth M. Martin, MSOM, L.Ac, LMT and the Staff at Hands on Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, P.C.