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Author:
Michael A. Smith, MD

Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this ancient medical practice. This article reports on the conclusion of it's safety and effectiveness following an extensive examination of the published evidence. For the complete report, please visit the URL displayed in the author bio.

Acupuncture Weight Loss -- Safety

Acupuncture for losing weight is a safe practice when a dieter undergoes 1-3 sessions within 3 to 4 weeks of starting a traditional method of weight loss.

Common side effects, rarely reported by dieters, include headache, nausea, and vertigo (losing balance). Severe adverse events, like neurological damage or death, have never occurred within 3 to 4 weeks of treatment.

Unfortunetly, no conclusions can be made beyond 4 weeks because of a lack of safety data. The studies found to examine acupuncture's safety do not follow subjects past 4 weeks. The ones that did attempt to follow subjects past 4 weeks, show many inconsistancies.

Until more data becomes available on acupuncture's safety beyond 4 weeks, no final conclusion can be made.

Acupuncture Weight Loss -- Does it Work?

After examining several published studies, acupuncture for weight loss, when combined with traditional methods of dieting like caloric restriction and exercise, does increase the amount of weight loss experienced by dieters.

In some studies, the difference between those using acupuncture and those not, was statistically significant. However, like the safety data, the conclusion that acupuncture does increase the amount of weight loss can only be made up to 4 weeks.

After 4 weeks, the data becomes inconsistant and incomplete. To make a conclusion beyond 4 weeks will require more data.

Acupuncture as a sole method to help dieters lose weight has not been studied enough to make a conclusion. The studies that are available are not designed properly and do not include enough subjects.

Acupuncture Weight Loss -- The Final Verdict

By undergoing 1-3 sessions within 3-4 weeks and when combined with tradtional methods of weight loss, acupuncture does work to increase the amount of weight lost by dieters.

No conclusion can be made on the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture beyond 4 weeks because of a lack of data.

To Healthy Living!

Michael A. Smith, MD
Chief Medical Consultant
Diet Basics Website

About the Author
Dr. Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant for Diet Basics, a content rich weight loss web site dedicated to all dieters. Visit his site at www.weight-loss-professional.com/articles

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Acupuncture... The Benefits of Acupuncture School One of the oldest forms of oriental medicine is acupuncture, a technique of inserting needles into some parts in the body. Those specific locations where the needles are inserted are called as “acupoints” or “tsubo.” Inserting a needle into each of these locations in the body is believed and is proven by many—both of early years and the present—to be an effective means of restoring well-being. With acupuncture’s more than 3000-year history, it’s hard to negate its healing or therapeutic effects. And thus, even up to this day, a lot of people support this traditional medicinal practice. Acupuncture schools are also becoming more prevalent now more than ever and many are interested in pursuing a career in this field. A survey conducted by California Acupuncture Association in 1993 reveals that a professional acupuncturist can earn from $30,000 to $100,000 per year. Perhaps to date, those figures have already doubled or even tripled and quadrupled. But apart from the financial benefits of a career in acupuncture, practicing it is a form of performing an art for many. Acupuncture is something they are passionate about. They believe in its ability to restore health among human beings. If you are one of the many who are interested in enrolling in an acupuncture school, you can begin searching online for a particular school within or near your place. Each acupuncture school differs from one another in terms of program offered, scope of the study, length of the program and instructors. It would be best to look closely into these things before you finally decide which acupuncture school to enroll in. Most acupuncture schools do not require their enrollees to have undergraduate degree; however, most acupuncture schools require their students to have attended a course in...