It shouldn’t surprise you that practitioners are saying that acupressure for weight loss is possible. After all, this practice is known to benefit people in a lot of ways. But if you’re like a lot of people, you are a little apprehensive because it sounds too good to be true. Acupressure is one of the most relaxing things out there, which is why acupressure for sleep is recommended. This means that they’re saying that you can lose weight while relaxing! But you are probably wondering – is it really effective?
What is Acupressure?
This is a technique that’s popular in the alternative medicine field. It’s basically like acupuncture in the sense that its theory is based on the fact that life energy flows through meridians in our body. There are things that block these meridians and this is why pressure is put on specific points in order to clear out these blockages.
Benefits of Acupressure
Here are some of the benefits of acupressure:
- It can help relieve stress.
- It can help you get rid of headaches and backaches.
- It can stop insomnia.
- It can help relieve pain.
- It can help boost your immune system.
These are just some of the benefits of acupressure, and now to find out if there’s such a thing as acupressure for weight loss.
Pressure Points to Target
Acupressure works by targeting specific pressure points in your body. In order for it to help you lose weight, here are the pressure points that you have to target:
- Appetite control point
This point is found on the flappy part of your ear. It’s right there above the lobe of your ear, right in front of the ear canal.
Putting pressure on this control point can help suppress your appetite which is an important factor in acupressure for weight loss.
- Spleen
There’s a spot right above the bone of your ankle that serves as the pressure point of your spleen. Trace your finger from the bone of your ankle towards the inside and back of your leg. It should be around 3 inches upwards of the bone of your ankle. This spot can tighten your digestive system which aids in acupressure for weight loss.
There’s also another pressure point for your spleen. Trace your finger across your inner leg until you pass by the shin bone. Trace your finger upwards for about an inch and find the rounded and hollowed part on the leg bone. This particular spleen pressure point is for the regulation of your body’s ability to metabolize water.
- Stomach
This is found about 4 inches below your kneecap. Start with your finger on the lower part of your kneecap and go down about 3 inches before moving outwards for about half an inch. Flex your foot and if you feel muscle movement, you’ve found the right spot.
This is for the nourishment of your digestive system and your blood.
- Large intestines
Start at the spot where the joint in your elbow is located. Move your finger for about half an inch towards the inside part of your elbow.
This works in acupressure for weight loss because it helps in the regulation of the large intestines. It can also help your body get rid of heat and moisture that it doesn’t need.
Steps to Follow
Here is the step by step procedure on how to lose weight with acupressure:
- Apply constant and firm pressure on the appetite control point. Do so for 3 straight minutes.
- Apply pressure on the first spleen point (the one near your ankle). Do so for a minute. When releasing the pressure, make sure that you do so gradually. As an important note, pregnant women should skip applying pressure on this pressure point even if they’re using acupressure for weight loss.
- Apply medium to firm pressure on the stomach pressure point for a minute.
- Apply pressure on the second spleen point. This is the one near the shin bone. Make sure to apply firm pressure for 3 minutes.
- Using your right thumb, apply pressure on the large intestine pressure point for a minute. Start with your left arm. After a minute, apply the same pressure on your large intestine pressure point in your right arm using your left thumb.
Tips in Order to Succeed in Your Goal to Lose Weight with Acupressure
While people are saying that applying pressure on the points listed above can help you lose weight, you can improve your chances of succeeding if you’re going to follow the following tips:
- Consult your doctor.
More and more doctors nowadays are being more open when it comes to alternative medicine. Ask your doctor if you can practice acupressure for weight loss. At the very least, your doctor can tell you if it’s safe for you to do so.
- Practice deep breathing.
Do some deep breathing exercises. Obviously, these exercises can help calm you. They can also help relax you. These exercises can even relieve stress. For weight loss, they can help you improve your digestion.
- Find the causes of your stress and take care of them.
Stress is one of the main reasons why people lose weight. This is mainly because of stress eating. While acupressure in general can help relieve stress, it’s also important that you find the causes of your stress so you can take care of them.
For example, you can take a few days off from work if it’s stressing you out.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Acupressure for weight loss should only be a complement and not the main strategy. You still need to eat a healthy diet. This means more of lean meats, fruits and vegetables and less of sugars, unhealthy fats and junk foods.
- Exercise to lose weight.
Get your blood pumping with weight loss exercises. Afterwards, that’s when you can practice acupressure for weight loss by following the steps listed above.
Try it Now
You can try it now to see for yourself if it’s possible to lose weight with this alternative medicine technique. You have nothing to lose anyway. If you don’t succeed in using acupressure for weight loss, you can still receive its other benefits!
