Acupuncture & Tai Chi Beneficial For Healthy Weight Loss

In the last decade obesity rates among adults has skyrocketed, increasing by 60 percent, according to the American Public Health Association.  As Americans spend more than $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services, most diet fads bring only short-term solutions. As January is Lose Weight and Feel Great Month, acupuncture and tai chi are a great alternative to aid in shedding those extra pounds.
 
When attempting to diet, many people experience withdrawal, or cravings, because of a lack of endorphins. The need to eat is often so strong that dieters binge on food. This is one reason why diets often cause people to gain more weight rather than lose it. Acupuncture and tai chi counterbalance these cravings by releasing endorphins in the brain, which actually alleviate the withdrawal symptoms many dieters experience and eventually succumb to.

Weight gain can also be caused by stress, which increases cortizol levels in the body. This increase in cortizol can alter metabolism, thus causing stressed people to gain weight. As with cravings, the endorphins released by acupuncture and the gentle motions of tai chi also help reduce stress, which can reduce the need to overeat.

Both tai chi and acupuncture can also stimulate the hyopthalamus. This induces weight loss because the hypothalamus regulates the body’s thyroid and hormone levels, which in turn regulate metabolism.

In addition to regulating the body internally, tai chi also provides the benefits of exercise by building strength, restoring balance and increasing flexibility. Tai Chi’s gentle movements and low physical impact make it a great activity for aging bodies, those recovering from injury, or people looking to change up their exercise routine.

For more information how acupuncture and tai chi can help with weight loss, please call (800) 729-0941 or visit www.PacificCollege.edu.

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