Acupuncture for weight loss is becoming more and more popular as many people in Western countries grapple with struggles with obesity. Does acupuncture really help with weight loss?  How effective is it?  Read on for a breakdown of the claims and the reality of how weight loss might be impacted by acupuncture.

Acupuncture procedures are based on the Asian concept of the essential flow of chi—your life energy force—through certain meridians in your body. When these meridians become blocked, your chi does not flow freely, which results in physical or emotional symptoms of poor health.

Acupuncture affects weight loss by reducing feelings of anxiety, depression and anger. By helping you relax and gain control of your emotions, proponents believe acupuncture may also help you gain control of your eating habits; this control empowers you to have the self control and will to eat healthful foods in healthful amounts. Acupuncture can also be used to suppress your appetite and increase self control.

All of these functions can assist you in your pursuit of weight loss, but they will not cause you to lose weight in any magical way. Instead, acupuncture is an effective support therapy for those who are trying to lose weight, much in the way hypnosis, massage, meditation, support groups and friends may help you. In a sense, acupuncture provides emotional support for your weight loss journey through the stimulation of your chi flow and the activation of key emotional processes.

Acupuncture alone will not cause you to lose weight. You will still need to eat healthily and exercise to lose weight. However, people who use acupuncture as a support system report that it is indeed effective in supporting their weight loss efforts, making the process easier. You may need to have weekly acupuncture treatments to feel the effects, or you may be able to get by with treatments every other week.  How often you need help will depend on your individual constitution and how much emotional factors are playing into your weight condition.