Does Acupuncture Work for Weight Loss

Weight loss is a challenge for most people. And there are a lot of different options for treatment. Many people prefer to stay away from medication or surgery to achieve their weight-loss goals. But changes in diet or exercise routine aren't always enough. If you want to explore more natural or alternative treatments, acupuncture may be an option.

What exactly is acupuncture for weight loss?

Acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. It uses very small needles inserted into specific pressure points throughout the body. This allows energy (called "qi") to flow more easily through channels in your body (called "meridians"). This is meant to restore balance in the body, alleviating various symptoms and disease.

Acupuncture is used for a wide variety of different conditions. When it's used for weight loss, it targets pressure points linked to digestive organs. It's thought that acupuncture increases insulin production, a hormone that keeps your blood sugar from rising. It may also regulate hormones like ghrelin and leptin, which play a role in feelings of hunger and fullness.

There are actually several different ways to perform acupuncture. They all stimulate pressure points in different areas:

• Traditional acupuncture uses needles placed in different areas around the body.

• Acupressure uses beads instead of needles.

• Auricular (ear) acupuncture uses needles or beads to target pressure points specifically around the ear.

• Electroacupuncture (EA) uses needles, but it also applies a small amount of electricity through the needles.

• Cupping uses cups to create suction and apply pressure. Some cupping methods also use heat to stimulate an area.

• Laser acupuncture uses low-intensity lasers. However, research on this specific approach suggests it may not be effective for weight loss.

Does acupuncture really work for weight loss?

Some research has shown that acupuncture can help people with weight loss. But it's unclear how well it works given the lack of large clinical trials.

One review of multiple studies found that acupuncture - and ear acupuncture, in particular - increased weight loss in people diagnosed with obesity. But the studies included were small. The researchers also pointed out that there was a wide variety in the length and number of treatments in each study. This makes it hard to draw any firm conclusions.

Scientists have also compared acupuncture to exercise. One study compared electroacupuncture to sit-up exercises in women diagnosed with obesity. Researchers observed that acupuncture was better at reducing weight and waist circumference (the distance around your waist).

Other studies have looked at acupuncture combined with dieting:

• One small study showed that weekly acupuncture combined with a low-calorie diet helped with weight loss.

• Another larger study found similar results in people who combined acupuncture and a low-carb diet.

But it's important to note that neither of these studies compared results to a group who didn't get acupuncture.

To get a better idea if acupuncture was the true cause of weight loss, some studies have compared it to placebo for weight loss. The placebo groups received "sham" acupuncture. That means the needs were placed into areas that aren't true pressure points. The results were mixed:

• One study found that sham acupuncture is as effective as acupuncture. This may be the placebo effect at play. In other words, the treatment worked because people expected it to work.

• Another study showed that body, auricular, and electroacupuncture were more effective than sham acupuncture for weight loss.

So, the results on acupuncture for weight loss are mixed. But most researchers agree that it's a safe option with few unwanted side effects.

What weight-loss results can you expect from acupuncture?

Based on the available research, it's difficult to predict someone's weight loss with acupuncture. And certain factors may affect how likely it is that acupuncture will work for weight loss:

• Sex: Females tended to see greater weight loss than men.

• Body size: Men and women who weighed more at the start of treatment lost more than others who weighed less.

• Number of treatments: In general, it seemed that acupuncture for weight loss was more effective for people who had 10 treatments or more.

• Diet: Many studies looked at acupuncture alongside a modified diet. So, other lifestyle changes likely play a role too.

According to the studies above, most people experienced initial weight loss in the first 8 weeks of treatment. But keep in mind that several studies were short term. And they didn't look at long-term weight loss or weight maintenance.

Everyone's weight-loss experience - and results - will be different. So, it's important to find an approach that feels right for your body. Try not to compare your own experience and results to those of others - or to the results of research studies.

Are there any downsides to trying acupuncture for weight loss?

When it comes to health risks, acupuncture is very safe. The most common side effects include:

• Bruising

• Redness

• Swelling

• Itching

• Dizziness

• Feeling tired

Cost is another consideration. Acupuncture treatments can be expensive. But some insurance companies are now covering part or all of the cost. So, it's worth checking with your insurance company to explore your options.