Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of maladies.  Pain relief is one of the primary ailments for which acupuncture is prescribed.  However, researchers are exploring a multitude of other conditions that acupuncture can treat.  With obesity being a major cause of diseases and disorders, people are increasingly turning to acupuncture for weight loss help.  But how does it work?

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body to target, via stimulation or calming, various nerves, muscles, and/or connective tissues.  Acupuncture also uses electricity and magnets to clear blockages or promote the flow of healthy energy.  

Reducing Anxiety

Many people turn to food at times of stress which can lead to overeating.  Needles inserted during acupuncture treatments can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s “feel good” hormones.  The release of these hormones can create a calming or relaxing feeling which can reduce the overeating caused by anxiety.  

Body System Rebalancing

Traditional Chinese medicine seeks to restore balance to the body’s organ systems like the spleen, liver, and kidneys.  These organ systems can affect a person’s weight when they malfunction.  Acupuncture can stimulate the nerve and hormonal balance in these organs which can help with water retention, sugar levels, and hormonal rebalancing.  Acupuncture practitioners can also target adrenal and ovary glands to treat weight gain due to menopause or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Reducing Cravings

Beyond needles, acupuncture uses magnets and other methods to stimulate or calm various parts of the body.  Acupuncturists target the ears to reduce cravings, using magnets or stapling.  

The Bottom Line

Acupuncture, when combined with an exercise routine and a healthy diet, can help patients lose weight and improve their health.  A skilled acupuncturist can evaluate your body’s needs and determine the approach that will work best for you.  Acupuncture for weight loss can be a vital component to restoring your body to its healthiest state.  

Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but can occur.  When they do, they are usually a part of the healing process associated with this ancient practice.  Many practitioners believe side effects are a positive sign that the body is working to heal itself and restore balance.  What kind of side effects might you encounter after an acupuncture treatment?

Physical Side Effects of Acupuncture

Flu-like symptoms, such as aches and/or a mild fever, can occur though they are not common.  You also may experience some bruising or swelling at the point of the needle’s contact with your skin.  These symptoms are not a sign of a problem, but rather that the treatment is working.  Fatigue is also sometimes part of the experience following an acupuncture treatment.  Your body is working hard to rid itself of the toxins that have built up on your bloodstream, so fatigue may be a natural byproduct of this process.

Non-Physical Side Effects of Acupuncture

Following an acupuncture treatment, some people experience an emotional discharge.  Sometimes this side effect can occur during the treatment as a patient is feels a burst of emotion.  Again, this side effect is nothing to worry about, but is rather a part of the process.

Another possible non-physical side effect of an acupuncture session is a feeling of euphoria.  This feeling is associated with the emotional discharge described above.  Many patients describe feelings of euphoria and relaxation following a treatment.  

Managing Side Effects

If side effects occur, they usually do so within 48 hours of the treatment and do not last long.  Sleep, warm showers, and drinking a lot of water are all strategies that can help if the symptoms are unpleasant.   

Though rare and usually harmless, if you experience any side effects, they are worth mentioning to your practitioner.  He or she will know whether the side effects are a normal part of the process and can advise you on further strategies to minimize them if necessary.

The modern world is an amazing place. We are surrounded by astonishing technology, advanced medical care, and up-to-the-minute practices. However, with such advancements comes the risk of losing ancient methods and practices that work just as effectively. We can become so wrapped up in instant results with pills, capsules, and tablets, that holistic approaches to everyday ailments are taking a back seat.

In fact, by the end of the Song dynasty, the once-popular Chinese medicine of acupuncture had gone from one of the most popular treatments to a lost art. Prescriptions and medication had taken over, and traditional superstitious beliefs were swallowed up by scientific rationality.  

However, acupuncture has long been known as an effective, holistic approach to treating conditions, and is on the fast-track to becoming a preferred treatment method for believers and non-believers alike. The results speak for themselves, and we’ve outlined the ways in which acupuncture in Denver is a different experience altogether.

It’s a proven treatment method

When you choose to receive acupuncture in Denver, you are receiving a method of treatment that’s been proven to work for a range of conditions. In fact, during a review organized by the World Health Organization, it was deduced that there is 28 diseases acupuncture undoubtedly treats, and over 60 that are helped with acupuncture, with more research required.

There are also a number of diseases that Western medicine is known to treat poorly, therefore acupuncture is also offered as an option in case it works effectively as well.

A key component in acupuncture’s effectiveness is who completes the process. When you opt for acupuncture in Denver, it’s vital you choose a professional who understands the complex process and thrives on knowing how beneficial it is for each individual. For example, Dr. Zhizhong Nan is a proficient, third generation physician of Chinese Medicine who boasts over two decades of experience in acupuncture. Undeniably, his experience equates to a high success rate for treating a variety of conditions.

It can alleviate a range of conditions

For many people, the fear of needles and the skepticism can deter them from opting for acupuncture as a treatment method. However, where modern medicine fails, acupuncture almost always steps in. If you’re tired of relying on vitamins, minerals, and over-the-counter medication to treat modern-day conditions, acupuncture is a valid option for you.

From anxiety, asthma, and ADHD, through to the common cold, cardiovascular disease and carpal tunnel syndrome; you are sure to find a form of relief with the simple, yet effective, acupuncture treatment.

How does it work?

When you’re looking for the best acupuncture in Denver, contact the friendly team at Nan’s Acupuncture & Wellness. Dr. Zhizhong Nan will see you, will talk with you about your condition, and will then start the procedure. He will insert hair-like needles into specific points in the body, which affect your nervous system. The result is increased blood flow to problematic areas, a change in the healthy function of your body and a release of internal chemicals with pain-relieving properties.

Aside from the effectiveness of this treatment in the short term, acupuncture aims to cure the condition, rather than mask the symptoms like several other treatment methods.

Nan’s Acupuncture Denver is a different experience altogether, and people looking to try alternative medicine for everyday illnesses will be pleasantly surprised by the efficacy of this 4,000-year-old treatment. Get in touch with Dr. Zhizhong Nan and review the results for yourself. Say goodbye to capsules, tablets, and pills for good.