Today’s guest blog post comes from Mason McClellan, an accupuncturist friend of mine.  He and his wife Sandra own and operate the Minnesota Clinic of Integrated Medicine in Chanhassen, MN.

He’s going to have a pretty fascinating series for you.  Check it out:

What the heck is acupuncture anyway?

Better, what does it have to do with weight loss?

And, most importantly, does it actually work?

First a little background on Qi and Acupuncture…
In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s Qi (pronounced chi). It can be described as a form of energy that runs along 12 major meridians or pathways. If Qi is blocked or stagnate, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Think of it as a river that is turbulent or has some debris that aggravates the smooth flow. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it.
In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural biochemicals such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The exact mechanisms which brings this about are unknown, but the effects are measurable.

Treatment for Weight Loss

Patients are usually scheduled for treatments twice per week until the desired weight loss has been obtained. Each session takes between 45 minutes and one hour. Acupuncturists will spend more time on the first treatment to identify the specific body imbalances of the patient and determine which acupuncture points to use. The frequency and number of treatments will vary depending on the amount of weight the patient wants to lose.
The Strategy
Depending on the pattern of symptoms the patient presents with, we use different treatment protocols. For example, the desire to overeat, phlegm retention/poor metabolism and impulsive eating are 3 separate issues that contribute to weight gain. Problems such as sugar or hormonal imbalances may also addressed. During the acupuncture session, small and flexible needles will be inserted into points determined by the needs of the patient.

Dietary Adjustments

Combining healthy eating and herbal therapy with acupuncture treatments improves weight loss results.

We are Not Done Yet

Beware, acupuncture is not a magic bullet.  Be sure to stay on track with Justin’s training protocols locally at Look Great at the Lake Boot Camp and online at Online Video Boot Camp.  These workouts are as good as you are going to get, so stick with it and let me know if there are any questions you may have on integrating acupuncture into your fitness routine.
Stay tuned for Part II–the follow-up.  I will delve into the patterns that you fall into and you will see how Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can fit into an overall healthy lifestyle.
About the author:  Mason McClellan, LAc is a local healthcare provider, fitness fanatic and co-founder of the Minnesota Clinic of Integrated Medicine.  For questions or info contact him on his website or stop by the clinic to visit www.mnacupuncture.com

By the way, Look Great at the Lake Boot Camp receive 1/2 off their first session and 10% off of return visits!