There are a lot of people who are overweight. For people that are fat, maybe surgery is the most suitable choice but for people that cant, they can try and see whether acupuncture can help take out the surplus weight.

Acupuncture is a sort of holistic health care that utilises needles to help in treating a patient. Not like the cartoon where the balloon will pop and all of the air will go out, the needles that are inserted into the imperative points will excite the body to release endorphins therefore helping the individual control their appetite.

But before needles are inserted, the specialist will first ask the patient some questions and perform an examination. This is needed to understand the main cause for the person to be overweight.

Part of examination is to help the acupuncturist figure out where the needles will be inserted. Your pulse will give the person an idea on your general state of energy and the general health of your stomach.

You will also have to open your mouth and show your tongue to check for cracks, peelings or puffiness on the stomach area as this provides clues to why you are overweight.

Once she or he knows the rationale, this is the time the needles are inserted into different parts of the body. One way is named the multi-targeted approach which is meant to lower the bodys weight by augmenting the output of the pituitary gland.

The areas where the needles will be inserted will be in the ear and in two of three body points. These areas could also include the mouth, the belly, the lung, the endocrine, the spleen, kidney or thyroid.

During the initial treatment, the “Four Gate” points would be used to circulate energy throughout the entire body. It is also possible that electro simulation will also be done to increase endorphin release and stimulate metabolism.

These needles will be kept in place for 30 to 45 minutes depending on how much support is needed. These are then removed and replaced with ear tacs with adhesives to be certain they’re in the same spot as the needles.

These ear tacs work by applying mild pressure whenever he or she feels hungry. It causes a mild endorphin release and helps the patient relax making it possible to use their willpower and resist the temptation to eat.

The patient will also have to reduce cravings on certain food by cutting down the intake. Some studies indicate this can also lower insulin levels or lipid levels in the blood.

The better part about acupuncture is simply that there are no damaging complications and no chance for a dependence on happen. The patient will have to come back for regular treatment and have to pay attention to ones diet and exercise regularly as needles can only do so much to control ones weight.

The number of treatments for someone who is overweight varies depending on how many pounds they want to lose, the speed at which they want to lose it and their commitment to sticking to the plan.

The average patient on the other hand who wants to lose 5 to 10 pounds will have to come for treatment every three days or twice a week then once this is attained, once every two weeks. It is up to the person until when the treatment will be done which shows that acupuncture can help you lose weight.