Eating Disorders Treatable with Acupuncture
August 21st, 2009
Eating disorders are typically treated by both medical and mental health practitioners. While alternative therapies often do not replace these conventional treatments, they can be used to complement treatment and enhance healing.
Individuals receiving counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy or nutritional planning for eating disorders can safely integrate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into their conventional health care. Acupuncture and natural body-mind therapies can improve physical and mental health and strengthen self control.
Acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, massage therapy, and dietary therapy can aid in combating the depression and anxiety that frequently accompanies eating disorders. Acupuncture can also help to regain emotional health.
Individuals experiencing anorexia will find that acupuncture can help to stabilize irregular eating patterns. Acupuncture can reduce binge-eating, purging and fasting behavior in individuals suffering from bulimia.
Acupuncture can improve eating disorder symptoms, which may include abdominal bloating, IBS, acid reflux, fatigue, anemia, muscle cramps, and low energy. Utilized as a complementary therapy for eating disorders, acupuncture speeds recovery of the affected body systems.
Acupuncture can help to regain control over the appetite and reduce cravings by restoring qi flow throughout the body and can correct the energy imbalances that often are at the root cause of eating disorders. Acupuncture improves oxygen and blood circulation and harmonizes absorption and digestion while stabilizing metabolism.
Acupuncture increases endorphin levels. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, can produce a calming effect which can reduce the stress that can lead to binging and compensatory behaviors. Acupuncture also regulates and balances the endocrine and digestive systems.
A multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of practitioners from psychotherapy, conventional medicine and complementary medicine can effectively treat the range of issues that individuals with an eating disorder often present with, such as compulsive eating, attention deficit disorder and sleep disorders.
For information about acupuncture for the treatment of eating disorders call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
Leave a Reply