It’s no secret I’m trying to lose weight and have been for a while. I’m battling changing a diet that used to be full of wonderous mushroom and sausage topped pizzas, washed down with a glass of Cabernet, in order to win the battle of the bulge.
I started with grocery shopping. Each week, USDA stamped organic fruits vegetables now make their way into my cart. And low sodium turkey with no additives. And almond milk instead of cream for my coffee. And real peanut butter with no chemicals. The kind you have to stir (weird). And yes….sometimes a bottle of red manages to find its way into my cart as well. Let’s be real.
But with my new approach to food, I found myself open to other weight loss methods, as well. And I don’t mean diet pills or crash diet plans.
I’m talking about acupuncture.
I started with researching the questions floating around in my head. Could acupuncture really aid in weight loss? If so, how does it work? How much does it cost? And how do I even go about doing this?
I found a local place, emailed the contact, and was sent a new patient packet that was several pages long to fill out. After doing my homework, I met with the contact and we talked for about an hour, assessing my needs.
Turns out acupuncture could help with my weight loss (by stimulating proper digestion and metabolism), my runner’s knee / I.T. band issues (by stimulating blood flow for healing), my asthma and allergies (by loosening up lung congestion), and my tendonitis (again with blood flow for healing). I ranked everything in order of importance, and set up my first appointment.
This particular place is more affordable – only $40 per session – because it’s community acupuncture. You experience your treatments in a room full of people doing the same.
True to myself, I was nervous before going the first time. As usual, I had nothing to worry about. Fully clothed with my pants rolled up to my knees, the acupuncturist got to work. Needles poked out of my forehead, ears, arms, and legs. Surrounded by strangers, I sat there a little freaked out, listening to soft music, until I finally started to relax. I repeated this for a few more sessions, sans anxiety
The first two things I wanted to work on where weight loss and my knee problems. I immediately lost five pounds and have kept it off despite some slip-ups with my diet. I’m also happy to report my runners knee and permanent I.T. band hardly cause any issues on my current running schedule.
So far? I’m a believer. And just scheduled another session as a human pin cushion.
That’s pretty interesting! I’ve never heard of using acupunture for that. I’m trying to drop a few pounds, too. But, I’m trying the Visalus shakes. I’m only on my first week though.
So far it’s working! But is that because I’m eating better? Or the acupuncture? Or both?
Your signing up procedure sounds a lot like the one I went through to start chiropractic care. Seems like chiropractors and acupuncture care can help with a lot of bodily functions.
That’s great that you found a good place on your first try too! I ended up seeing 3 different chiropractors before I found one that worked.
Interesting stuff, I’d give it a shot for my randomly achy knee!
Hey, check it out – my knee is never better! I am doing the physical therapy and other stuff the sports doc suggested, but it’s for sure a great suppliment to all of that!
Interesting! I have been wanting to try acupuncture for a while now because I like the idea of taking care of little problems that “traditional medicine” doesn’t really care about.. Does it hurt? I am soooo scared of needles lol
I wouldn’t say it hurts at all….but on the first session, there were one or two needles that I was very “aware” of – they were unpleasant, but not painful. Apparently it was because my body was all messed up and it was healing? I’d try it out!