[Golden Sparrow]

I just wanted to get a little feedback from you guys on your thoughts on acupuncture for weightloss. I read and done a little research about it and it's said that acupuncture is a natural method that helps reduce cravings, suppress appetite, increase metabolic rate by balancing the body (hormonally, and energetically?).

My question is, knowing the above, would you try it, not try it?

What are your fears about it? Is it that it will take too much time out of the week? That it won't work so you wasted money? That acupuncture will hurt?

If you have tried it, what has been your experience? Would you recommend it? Is there anything you would have changed with the acupuncture experience?

Thanks for any and all responses. I'm very interested in what you all think.

[nelie]

I did acupuncture for a while and it did nothing for me. It didn't hurt and was an interesting experience.

[Golden Sparrow]

Oh really, did they actually needle your stomach a lot? Or did they do arms and legs? Did you go a lot of times before realizing it didn't help?

[nelie]

I didn't go for weight loss but I figured add it in while I was there They needled my ears, arms and other places. I went for a couple months.

[redhead30]

I do acupuncture regularly, but haven't ever done it specifically for weight loss. Sometimes I feel like it works, other times I don't really feel anything. When I feel like it works, I just feel calmer, can sleep better. I had it specifically for an injury a couple of times and was pretty amazed about how much better they were after the fact (knee and back).

[briters89]

There is a mother at my work that swears by it. She goes regularly, and has completely gotten off of soda without an issue. She came in to pick up her child the other day with the needles still in her ear so we could see. She now goes to the gym regularly, does not have any sodas, and eats healthy. Of course, this woman originally weighed MAYBE 125lbs, and now weighs about 115. She is probably 5'5". Tiny woman.....

[Dawn415]

I love acupuncture.

Initially I went with the intention of losing weight. That was my goal. However, I have since learned that a good acupuncturist who uses traditional Chinese medicine, views your entire health picture and diagnoses before treating.

She told me that really the entire picture of health is like a ball of yarn. You need to unravel the outer layers and then get to the next layer, or you will just get all tangled up.

So, she worked on some other things for the first 4 months. I also take TCM herbal supplements prescribed by her. After 4 months of working on some other health issues, she is finally ready to work on my weight.

A week ago I went to her and she FINALLY did some weight loss points and put me on the weight loss herbs.

Acupuncture is meant to be a gentle healing method. You won't be cured overnight or have dramatic healing immediately. And you may not even get to the weight loss quickly.

Right now I am trying to look closely at TCM ways of eating as well. The book that was recommended to me is Linda Prout's Live in the Balance. She has a way of eating that is more in line with any Acupuncturist who follows TCM.

Dawn