Women reported reduced anxiety, depression, less cravings

Acupuncture: Reduced anxiety, depression, less cravings

A research paper on acupuncture for women with additions discovered, that auricular acupuncture shows promise as an adjunct therapy psychoeducational program. Acupuncture was a viable treatment alternative to anti-anxiety drugs anxiolytics.

In this controlled trial, women who receiving acupuncture reported

  • reduced physiological cravings for substances,
  • felt significantly less depressed, less anxious, and
  • were able to better reflect on and resolve difficulties

This is equally valuable for women seeking treatment weight loss.

This study was published in Family & Community Health April/June 2007 Volume 30 Number 2 Pages 112 – 120.

Acupuncture for weight loss

Acupuncture for weight loss

This study examines the effects of acupuncture as a treatment option for weight loss in obesity.

Weight loss is a complex health issue. There is more than just a bad diet to it. Decreased insulin resistance, increased stress hormone cortisol levels, erratic/insufficient sleep or sleep disorders to name a few.

The present study summarises the studies on the effects of acupuncture application on obesity.

Some studies have shown that acupuncture application in obesity treatment is effective for weight loss. This natural treatment can regulate appetite, intestinal motility, and metabolism, as well as factors such as stress and sleep.

Additionally acupuncture has number of other effects conductive to slimming:

  • increases neural activity in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus,
  • boosts activity in of smooth muscle of the stomach,
  • ups levels of enkephalin,
  • boosts beta endorphin,
  • increases serotonin in plasma and brain tissue.

Application of acupuncture to obese people increases excitability of the satiety centre in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus. Additionally it stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels. Both of these activities have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite.

Among other beneficial effects, serotonin enhances intestinal motility. It controls stress and depression via endorphin and dopamine production.

In addition to these effects, it is thought that the increase in plasma levels of beta endorphin following acupuncture treatment can contribute to the body weight loss because it helps mobilize the body’s energy depots through lipolithic effect.

Last but not least, as reported in 2019, acupuncture reduces insulin resistance.

During an initial session we look into your situation in detail and decide on the most appropriate treatment. Take the first step today – get in touch to organise your initial consultation.