Acupuncture, the traditional practice rooted in Chinese culture, is revered for its therapeutic advantages in managing pain and alleviating stress. Now, a latest study has revealed that this age-old healing technique also has the facility to facilitate weight reduction.

This latest remarkable was unveiled on the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin, Ireland. The study suggested that combining acupuncture with a rigorously controlled food plan has shown promising leads to significantly reducing body weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), and body fat.

“This kind of acupuncture doesn’t require complex knowledge or skill. In Japan, this method to assist weight reduction has been used for over 30 years,” says the study lead creator Dr. Takahiro Fujimoto of Clinic F, Tokyo, Earth.com reported.

In a departure from traditional techniques, the tactic ditches intradermal needles in favor of metal beads. “This kind of acupuncture doesn’t require complex knowledge or skill. In Japan, this method to assist weight reduction has been used for over 30 years,” he said.

Ear acupuncture therapy targets specific points along meridian lines to revive the flow of qi and alleviate blockages or disruptions. This holistic approach has demonstrated its efficacy in various areas, including treating drug addiction, assisting in smoking cessation, and facilitating weight reduction. Although exact mechanisms remain elusive, studies suggest the tactic higher regulate metabolism, and the endocrine system, enhances digestion, and reduces oxidative stress.

Taking cues from past research that observed significant weight reduction in Japanese women treated with ear acupuncture, 81 chubby or obese Japanese men, especially those with with high levels of abdominal fat were made to undergo the method alongside a controlled food plan.

In the course of the study, 1.5 mm metal ear beads were rigorously positioned on six specific points of the outer ear. To take care of consistent pressure, surgical tape was used to secure the beads in place, and so they were replaced twice per week during regular hospital visits.

Measurements corresponding to body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, and abdominal fat were recorded before and after the treatment period and in a subsequent three-month period.

At the top of the study, the participants experienced a discount of 10.4 cm of their waist circumference, a 4% decrease of their total body fat, and an almost 3-point decrease of their BMI.

“Our findings suggest that acupuncture on the ear may aid weight reduction when paired with food plan and exercise. It’s likely that acupuncture has a positive effect by curbing cravings and appetite, improving digestion, and boosting metabolism,” Fujimoto told Earth.com.

Scientists have discovered the science behind acupuncture’s ability to lower blood pressure.
Photo courtesy of Reueters/Shannon Stapleton

Published by Medicaldaily.com