It is not only possible to lose weight with acupuncture and hypnosis, but it is also the most reliable method for doing so without resorting to drugs or therapy. It is daunting to consider how many Americans have given up trying to lose weight, even as the weight control industry has grown. The good news is that acupuncture and hypnosis, two time-tested methodologies, have proven to be effective for weight loss without resorting to drugs or surgery. Why those two modalities for weight loss? For the same reason that so many diets fail: In order to lose weight and then keep it off, both the body and the mind (conscious and sub-conscious) must be on the same page. Since hypnosis approaches the body through the mind, while acupuncture engages the mind via the body, utilizing them in tandem–while not essential–will accelerate the effectiveness of either treatment.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
By treating both the body and the mind, acupuncture treatment is able to:
Reduce Food Cravings: Just as acupuncture treatments can eliminate desires for addictive substances like tobacco, so can they help curb food cravings. Also, it can relieve the pit-of-the-belly feeling of emptiness that leads to overeating by relaxing the muscular contractions of the stomach.
Regulate Metabolism: A history of bingeing, irregular eating and even thyroid dysfunction can all contribute to a slow metabolism. Acupuncture can increase metabolism by stimulating the thyroid and endocrine glands. By its effect on the endocrine system, blood sugar levels are stabilized.
Improve Digestion: Crash diets, irregular eating habits and ingesting greasy foods eventually take their toll on the digestive system. Symptoms of digestive system dysfunction include chronic symptoms such as bloating, gas, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea. Acupuncture is effective in harmonizing the digestive organs.
Relax the Mind: The insertion of acupuncture pins into specific points on the body stimulates the release of endorphins. This in turn eases unwanted feelings of stress, frustration and anxiety, which are easy triggers for emotional eating, overeating and bingeing on fattening foods.
Cleansing: Toxins eventually build up due to excess weight and adipose tissue. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, acne and even depression. With the help of Acupuncture, these symptoms can be relieved or eliminated, irrespective of whether or not you are trying to lose weight.
Hypnosis
When hypnosis is added to acupuncture therapy, change can begin to accelerate even more rapidly. This is because it is a form of behavior modification. Hypnosis can help you to:
- Stop eating when full
- Eat smaller portions
- Develop healthier eating habits
- Eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet
- Improve sense of self-worth and confidence
The studies speak for themselves:
–In a study of 60 women separated into hypnosis versus non-hypnosis groups, the groups using hypnosis lost an average of 17 pounds, while the non-hypnosis group lost an average of only .5 pounds (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1986).
–In a comparison of the results of adding hypnosis to weight loss treatment across multiple studies showed that adding hypnosis increased weight loss by an average of 97% during treatment, and even more importantly increased the effectiveness POST TREATMENT by over 146%. This demonstrates that hypnosis works even better over time (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996).
–In a comparison of the results of adding hypnosis to weight loss treatment across multiple studies showed that adding hypnosis increased weight loss by an average of 97% during treatment, and even more importantly increased the effectiveness POST TREATMENT by over 146%. This demonstrates that hypnosis works even better over time (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996).
NOTE: There are no quick fixes when it comes to weight loss. It requires discipline as well as a clear model for changing one’s behavior. That being said, there are actions one can take. Exercise is one important factor. Beyond that the combination of acupuncture, hypnosis and a willingness to change one’s diet can go a long way to combating weight issues.