West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Obesity is about the chronic problems of obesity. Obesity is often a chronic problem. Being overweight puts limits on daily activities. It can even lead to organ dysfunction. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight. Of these, 890 million were obese, meaning that 43 % of adults were overweight, and 16 % were obese. In conclusion, the numbers more than doubled since 1990.
Causes of Weight Gain
Firstly, the most common cause of weight gain is an increase in caloric intake or a decrease in energy expenditure. Secondly, changes in weight are common within a few pounds and generally reflect fluid retention and loss. Thirdly, cyclic fluctuations can occur commonly in women in relation to menstruation. Fourthly, about 10% of obese patients have an underlying neurologic, endocrine, or genetic cause. So hypothyroidism may account for small increases in weight due to a slowed metabolic rate. Fifthly, familial (genetic) obesity and low resting metabolic rates can have an effect. So, the good news is, you or your loved one can do something about loosing weight through acupuncture.
Research
Modern research has shown that acupuncture treats obesity. Acupuncture works with the hypothalamus. And the hypothalamus coordinates the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary. This controls body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic system coordination. Additionally, acupuncture works with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the autonomic nervous system manages involuntary bodily functions to maintain homeostasis. Also, acupuncture helps with the expression of hormones such as leptin (satiety hormone) and insulin. Finally, this affects metabolism, diet, and many other mechanisms. The number of studies which investigate acupuncture in the treatment of obesity continues to increase.
Being obese carries some increased risk in several areas of health
Mortality rates are higher for obese patients compared with normal-weight individuals. The risk of death was higher from all causes including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other diseases if you are obese such as:
-3 to 10 times more likely to develop adult-onset diabetes (insulin resistance increases with weight gain).
-Higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia (imbalance of lipids), and stroke.
-More likely to have sleep apnea or hypersomnolence syndrome (medical conditions in which you repeatedly feel excessively tired during the day called excessive daytime sleepiness) or sleep longer than usual at night. It is different from feeling tired due to lack of or interrupted sleep at night. Hypersomnolence carries with it the risk of arrhythmias, hypoxemia (oxygen levels in the blood are low), or pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure effecting lungs).
-More likely to have degenerative joint disease if you are obese, especially in the hips and knees. It is also a risk factor for low back pain.
-Increased risk for cholelithiasis (reduced bile flow), thromboembolism (blood clot), and varicose veins.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Obesity/ Weight-loss
Indeed, there are many centers that specialize in weight loss. These centers do not focus on diet alone, but address issues of mental attitude, motivation, and exercise. Quick fixes with diet drinks or fad diets are not effective. Statistically, most people who diet eventually gain back weight in about a year or two.
There is a definite need to control the rising of obesity. In conventional medicine, obesity is treated through lifestyle interventions, medications, and surgeries. In complementary/alternative medicine, acupuncture is widely used around the world. In one case study, a 53 year old 300 pound woman with a “voracious appetite and shortness of breath which was worse on exertion” presented for acupuncture. After the first 2 treatments in the first week, she felt very well. Her appetite was reduced. Her body weight was reduced by 4 pounds. She felt confident. With more than 20 treatments, her weight was reduced by 3–4 pounds each week and in total 42 pounds. The symptoms of palpitations and shortness of breath disappeared. She was advised to be on a diet of more vegetables and less oily food, and do more exercises. She was in a good mood through out the process.(1)
Moreover, acupuncture is used in various forms, including body acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and auricular (ear) acupuncture. Different forms of acupuncture may be beneficial for weight loss.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Obesity
Acupuncture can drastically improve your quality of life. Perhaps there is something you are not doing in life due to your weight gain?
Overall, it’s best to think of your acupuncture visits as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking to lose weight, you’ll have to incorporate other parts of that healthy lifestyle. For instance, a balanced diet and regular exercise is crucial. Loose weight and get healthier! Don’t you think you deserve it? Call 561-253-8984 today to make an appointment or to find out more about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Obesity.
References: (1) TAN XIAOHONG’S MEDICAL RECORD; Zhu, Bing; Wang, Hongcai. Case Studies from the Medical Records of Leading Chinese Acupuncture Experts (International Acupuncture Textbooks, 2011