H09 -- February 2007 -- Acupuncture for Appetite Control

Intro: In the medical world, researchers continue to search for new ways to treat disease and reduce pain. At the same time many doctors are embracing a therapy that's been around for more than 4-thousand years. Acupuncture. It's used for many conditions including nausea, depression, anxiety and addiction. It can even help you control your appetite. More from Mayo Clinic.

"DAD, YOUR TURN."

A GAME OF LOLLIPOPS, GUMDROPS, CANDY CANES AND NUTS.

"OH, YOU GOT STUCK IN THE GUMDROPS."

KEVIN RYDBERG [RIDE-BERG] KNOWS ALL ABOUT BEING STUCK IN THE GUMDROPS, SO TO SPEAK.

"I BECAME OVER WEIGHT IN THE 4TH OR 5TH GRADE."

WEIGHT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE EVER SINCE. KEVIN PEAKED AT AN UNHEALTHY 420 POUNDS.

"IF I DIDN'T LOSE THE WEIGHT, IF I DIDN'T GET HEALTHY, THEN I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OF A FUTURE WITH MY KIDS."

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, KEVIN HAD A GASTRIC BYPASS OPERATION.

"I LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT. LIKE 160 POUNDS."

BUT THEN A FAMILIAR APPETITE ISSUE CAME BACK. THE URGE TO SNACK BETWEEN MEALS.

"MAYBE A GUMDROP WOULD TASTE GOOD ABOUT NOW."

INSTEAD OF TAKING MEDICATION TO HELP CURB THE URGE KEVIN TRIED ACUPUNCTURE. TINY NEEDLES PLACED IN SPECIFIC POINTS ON THE BODY.

"I'M STARTING TO FEEL THINGS MOVE AROUND A LITTLE."

WHAT'S MOVING, FROM THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE STAND POINT IS YOUR QI [CHEE] OR LIFE FORCE COMING INTO BALANCE. A MODERN MEDICAL VIEW IS THAT THE NEEDLES CAUSE THE RELEASE OF SUBSTANCES THAT ARE THOUGHT TO INHIBIT PAIN SIGNALS.

"REGARDLESS OF WHICH SYSTEM YOU BELIEVE, SOMEHOW IT HAS A VERY PROFOUND EFFECT ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT ILLNESSES."

MAYO CLINIC DR. BRENT BAUER SAYS MANY STUDIES SHOW THAT ACUPUNTURE WORKS FOR HEADACHES, NAUSEA, DEPRESSION, STRESS, ANXIETY ADDICTION, AND MORE. IT HELPS KEVIN CONTROL HIS APPETITE. IT'S ALSO HELPING HIM STAY HEALTHY FOR HIS KIDS. FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Dr. Bauer is the editor of the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. He says acupuncture is particularly helpful for people like Kevin when used in conjunction with good nutrition and exercise. He also says that when done by a trained professional, acupuncture is very safe. For more information, visit our Web site at ...

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