Weight loss and fitness are terms being bandied about quite a lot these days – everyone seems to be in a hurry to shed those excess pounds and take the road to a fuller and healthier life. In the desperation to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, some people resort to starvation, strict diets, strenuous workouts and even medication. Unfortunately, these extreme measures bring with them a host of side effects and their associated ailments.

One weight loss treatment that does not cause unwanted side effects is Chinese acupuncture. This ancient therapy of inserting tiny needles into your skin releases blocked energy or chi and causes it to flow along the meridians of your body. Each meridian point is tied to different sets of organs in your body; needles are accordingly inserted to cure ailments associated with these organs. So how does acupuncture aid the process of losing weight?

• Treatment is tailored to each person’s body structure, weight, fat distribution, mental disposition, eating habits, lifestyle and other factors. The length and type of therapy varies from person to person, as does the response to the treatment.

• Different parts of the body are treated according to a person’s eating and snacking habits.

• Acupuncture helps in the production of endorphins, the hormone that boosts metabolism and aids in the proper digestion and utilization of food and prevents insulin from being converted as body fat.

• Acupuncture releases energy and makes you feel more relaxed and de-stressed. It enhances blood circulation in your body. This feel-good effect prevents you from snacking or overeating to overcome depression or sadness.

• Acupuncture makes you feel full so that you can reduce the size of your meals.

Remember, acupuncture is not a magic wand that you wave to bring about a significant weight loss overnight. It’s just a process that aids in the process of reducing body fat in a healthy way without side effects. The treatment should be augmented with a diet of healthy food and a reasonable amount of physical activity. Before you start, ensure that your acupuncture therapist is a specialist well-trained in his/her field.

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Care Plans. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

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