Can Acupuncture Help You Trim Down?
Are you generally healthy, active, and eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables?
Do you find yourself putting on unwanted pounds despite your efforts to stay trim?
Have you tried acupuncture to help you maintain a healthy weight?
Auricular acupuncture, (acupuncture addressing 5-specific points in the ear) has been studied and may be effective in reducing Body Mass Index (BMI) in overweight people according to one Korean RCT (randomized clinical trial) study.
The study followed 91 overweight participants who had not received any other weight control treatment within the previous six months.
They were divided into three treatment groups:
Group 1:
Received unilateral auricular acupuncture using a five-point protocol (Shenmen, Spleen, Stomach, Hunger, Endocrine)
Group 2:
Received auricular acupuncture using a one-point protocol (Hunger)
Group one and two received treatment in which needles were placed weekly and retained for a total of eight weeks.
Group 3:
Received a “sham” treatment; Needles were placed into the ear according to the five-point protocol, but removed immediately after insertion.
After eight weeks of treatment, significant differences in BMI, weight and BFM, (body fat mass) were found between the treatment groups.
Group 1: 5-Point Treatment
6.1 Reduction in BMI
Group 2: 1-Point Treatment
5.7 Reduction in BMI
The five-point and one-point group showed a 6.1 and 5.7 percent reduction in body mass respectively. No significant differences were reported between the two treatment groups.
Group 3: Sham Treatment
No significant reduction
Group three did not experience any BMI reduction following the sham treatments.
Source: Acupunct Med. 2013 Dec 16. Doi:10:1136.acupmed-2013-010435. [Epub ahead of print].
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The Healing Point Acupuncture Clinic
Xia Xin, L.Ac., CSMA
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