Pregnant women often suffer from pain in the lower back and pelvis — and this can set the stage for chronic pain. Ear acupuncture offers a drug-free way to help ease pain in these women.
A study has found that women who had pressure needles held in place with tape at three acupuncture points in their ears for one week, were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those who had the needles placed at three “sham” points or women in a control group who didn’t get real or fake acupuncture.
A 30 per cent or greater reduction in pain was reported by 81 per cent of women in the acupuncture group, 59 per cent of women in the sham acupuncture group and 47 per cent of women in the control group. The difference between the sham and control group wasn’t statistically significant.
Thirty-seven per cent of women in the acupuncture group were free of pain after a week of acupuncture, compared to 22 per cent in the sham group and 9 per cent in the control group. Improvement in functions was significantly greater among women who had real acupuncture compared to those who got the fake version or received no treatment.
The only side effect was temporary tenderness in the ear area, reported by one woman in the acupuncture group and three in the sham acupuncture group.
The treatment is inexpensive. The cost per treatment is Rs 1,000 including the cost of disposable needles. A total of about 10 treatment sessions are required.
Ear acupuncture for weight loss has also been practiced for centuries, even though the thought of piercing needles into various parts of one’s ear sounds strange or kooky. The ear, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a micro-system with points that match up some vital organs in the body.
Once the needles are inserted into these points, appetite can be curbed; binging and overeating can be prevented, while your metabolism can be hastened.
A calming effect will be experienced as endorphins are released after performing ear acupuncture for weight loss. One’s stress, anxiety, and frustration will be relieved with the aid of these endorphins. Such feelings are ascribed to overeating and cravings for fattening and unhealthy foods.
Laser acupuncture for weight loss is a newer version of ear acupuncture. Similar to needles, this acupuncture also stimulates the same points, but with the use of laser.
Digestive and hormonal systems are also rebalanced by the endorphins that are released during ear acupuncture for weight loss.
The metabolism is therefore slowed down, while your determination to keep away from overeating and eating unhealthy foods is fortified.
To increase the effectiveness of ear acupuncture for weight loss, a tack preceding the piercing of a needle is must. This stimulates the acupuncture points in the ear. A bead or magnet is taped to the point enabling the augmentation of its efficacy after the needle is inserted.
A patient is required to apply mild pressure to the bead or magnet if he/she starts to feel hungry during the treatment process. In this way, endorphins are released helping the patient to curb his appetite.
Generally, the timetable for ear acupuncture for weight loss treatment is scheduled once or twice a week for eight to 12 weeks. It takes time for the patient to attain his desired weight.
The effectiveness of ear acupuncture for weight loss treatment doesn’t mean that it is a cure-all or a miracle. A healthy diet and exercise regimen should be added in order to lose weight with acupuncture.
There are certain points on the ear that match up the mouth for impulsive eaters, the lung for food and sugar addicts, and the endocrine system for water retention.
Chinese herbal treatment and breathing techniques are combined with ear acupuncture for best results.
This is for real. Ear acupuncture for weight loss treatment can be the way out to your weight problem and the treatment is proven to be highly effective.
This can help you achieve your weight loss goals easily and quickly more than you expect, especially with the help of other treatments and the necessary diet and exercise routine.
The author is acupuncturist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Write in at kapuracu@airtelmail.in