Acupressure Weight Loss
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM
The Theory of Acupressure
Acupressure is the practice of applying finger pressure to specific points on the body that can be used for general health and for the treatment of a variety of ailments and diseases. This technique was used in China as early as 2000 B.C. Today, it’s used throughout Asia to aid in relaxation, promote wellness and help treat disease.Acupressure is also commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as neck, shoulder and lower back problems and psychological conditions including depression and anxiety.
Acupressure is related in some ways to acupuncture, although this practice uses manual pressure rather than needles to stimulate specific points on the body. The theory behind acupressure is that one’s health is maintained by the balance of energy along specific meridians in the body. Diseases and other ailments are thought to occur when there is a blockage or an imbalance in the flow of energy.
The goal of the treatment is to reestablish the balance along these meridians. Acupressure can utilize any kind of pressure along the acupoints of the body, such as palm pressure, stretching, massage and other manual techniques.
There are said to be as many as 20 channels and pathways of energy that circulate through the body. By applying the correct amount of manual pressure to one of these points, acupressure can reduce muscle pain and tension, improve blood circulation and stimulate the release of endorphins.
Scientists have studied acupressure for a number of years and found it effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions such as nausea, sleep disorders, back problems, depression, asthma, anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual pain, headaches, and fatigue. Acupressure weight loss is a treatment method that is catching on throughout Europe and North America, but its effectiveness remains questionable.
Acupressure Weight Loss
What is acupressure weight loss? The premise behind this practice is that by applying pressure to specific point on the body, hormones will be released that stimulate the metabolism and help to curb the appetite. Acupressure weight loss is generally reported as safe when performed by an experienced practitioner, although as mentioned above, its effectiveness as a weight loss tool cannot be verified. Be sure to consult your health care provider before trying acupressure weight loss.Acupressure Weight Loss Studies
Recently, a study was conducted at the Obesity Research Center of St. Luke’s Hospital in New York on the ability of acupressure treatment to help obese patients lose weight. The study used a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 96 obese adult volunteers, between 19 and 70 years of age.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive either an acupressure treatment or a placebo treatment. Participants were monitored for twelve weeks, with continuous documentation of their weight, body fat, and blood pressure.
The results of the study found that all of the participants combined lost, on average, ½ pound. However, there was no significant difference between the acupressure weight loss group and the placebo group in weight loss, body fat reduction, or blood pressure.
The study concluded that while acupressure weight loss appears to be safe as it did not cause any harmful side effects, it did not seem to promote significantly greater weight or fat loss, or declines in blood pressure than placebo treatment.
To date, the research performed on acupressure weight loss does not look promising. So if you are truly interested in losing weight, you are probably better off trying a weight loss method that is has been thoroughly investigated and proven to be effective.
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.
