Is acupuncture effective for weight loss?

Acupuncture for Weight Loss: Efficacy and Evidence

Acupuncture is not strongly supported by high-quality evidence for weight loss, though it may provide modest benefits as part of a comprehensive weight management program. 1

Evidence Overview

• Current evidence for acupuncture in weight management shows mixed results with generally poor methodological quality in available studies 1, 2
• A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found acupuncture had statistically significant effects on BMI (mean difference -2.15), body weight (mean difference -2.67 kg), and waist circumference (mean difference -3.61 cm) compared to control groups, but noted poor quality of included trials 1
• An older systematic review from 2009 found acupuncture was associated with modest weight reduction of 1.72 kg compared to lifestyle controls and 1.56 kg compared to sham treatments 2
• Earlier research from 1997 found that rigorous trials showed no effect of acupuncture on body weight 3

Mechanisms of Action

• Acupuncture may work through multiple pathways for weight management:
  • Stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagal nerve 4
  • Increased serotonin levels that may increase stomach smooth muscle tone and suppress appetite 4
  • Potential regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which influences various hormones 5

Specific Acupuncture Points

• For weight management, commonly used acupuncture points may include:
  • Auricular points: shenmen and stomach points 4
  • Body points: similar to those used for other conditions like depression and IBS, including SP 6, LR 3, ST 36, and others 5

Clinical Application

• Acupuncture is generally considered safe with minimal adverse events reported in weight loss studies 1
• The American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation conditionally recommends acupuncture for patients with psoriatic arthritis, though this is based on very low-quality evidence 5
• Acupuncture may be more appropriate as an adjunctive therapy rather than a primary intervention for weight loss 1, 6

Limitations and Considerations

• Cost may be a barrier to acupuncture treatment 5
• The quality of available evidence is generally poor, with high risk of bias in many studies 1, 2
• Most studies are short-term and don't evaluate long-term weight maintenance 1
• A single-blinded randomized cross-over pilot study demonstrated feasibility of conducting acupuncture research in overweight/obese individuals but did not provide definitive efficacy data 6

Common Pitfalls

• Expecting acupuncture alone to produce significant weight loss without dietary and lifestyle modifications 2
• Relying on poor quality studies with inadequate controls or small sample sizes 1, 2
• Failing to maintain treatment consistency and frequency, as regular stimulation appears necessary for any potential benefit 4
• Not considering the placebo effect, which may be substantial in acupuncture studies 3

While some evidence suggests acupuncture may provide modest benefits for weight loss, the overall quality of evidence remains low. Patients should be advised that acupuncture should be considered as a complementary approach alongside evidence-based interventions such as caloric restriction, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications.