Acupuncture not a highly effective stand-alone treatment for weight loss– but it certainly helps!

Book with Tammy today at Dalhousie Health and Wellness!

Let Me Explain Why?
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine which looks at the whole mind, body and spirit. If something is off balance, we see symptoms such as “weight gain”.
The good news? Not all weight gain is fat. Sometimes the body is sluggish in digestion, or there is slow movement of the intestines causing food stagnation. There are acupoints for that!Additionally, fluctuating hormones, water retention, stress, cravings, blood stasis can all be underlying reasons why we are retaining ‘material’ of the body.
In TCM, there is yin and yang. Yang represents warming, function, movement, brightness, flow and energy. Yin on the other hand, is dense, material, storage, fluid, blood, water and cold.
Your acupuncturist will look at your tongue and pulse to determine if there is too much yin, not enough, too much yang or not enough. Then we come up with a treatment plan to balance your body as an individual. 

How it might help
Acupuncture may indirectly support weight management by:
● Reducing stress and anxiety, which can contribute to emotional eating.
● Improving sleep quality.
● Helping some people feel more mindful about eating habits.
● Potentially affecting appetite-regulating hormones.
● Reducing water retention
● Increasing digestion

What to expect
● Expect to feel relaxed, experience improved sleep patterns, have deep rest
● Your acupuncturist will provide you with a suggested list of foods to include in your diet, and possibly, foods to avoid
● Improved digestion and increased bowel movements

Safety
Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile needles. Possible side effects include:
● Minor bruising
● Soreness at needle sites
● Lightheadedness

Other effective options
For meaningful and sustained weight loss in addition to acupuncture, your acupuncturist will advise of:
1. Nutritious food according to your constitutional body type
2. Discuss the nature of foods
3. Regular physical activity such as walking, yoga, meditation, tai chi or qi gong
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Book with Tammy today at Dalhousie Health and Wellness!