Piercing for weight loss has gained immense prominence due to its straightforward approach with minimal complexities. Also known as ear stapling, it has come from the traditional technique of auricular acupuncture. In this procedure, special needles are inserted at specific locations of the ear, which is known to boost overall health and reduce cravings.
Furthermore, the technique has been used on cigarette and heroin addicts to help with their addiction. In addition to kicking off the addiction, the method has also successfully helped the addicts to drop some extra kilos. However, ear piercing for weight loss can be more painful than an ordinary piercing.
There have been several small studies conducted to link ear stapling with weight loss. One such study was conducted in Korea and was published in 2013. It was noticed that participants who had received acupuncture at 5 points saw a drop in their body mass index by 6.1 percent. In contrast, the participants with acupuncture at only 1 point had lowered their BMI by 5.7 percent (1).
Did You Know?
- In Ayurveda, it is believed that nose piercings can effectively reduce the pain experienced by women during their menstrual cycle.
- It is widely believed that the nerves that connect the brain have to pass from the ear lobes. Hence, as soon as the child reaches the age of 3 or 4, their ears are pierced to boost the development of the brain.
What is Ear Piercing? And What are its Effects?
Ear stapling is the procedure that involves the insertion of small stainless-steel devices placed into the inner cartilage of the ear. The insertion is made at various points that are known to aid weight loss,(2) bring down the stress levels, and kick off addiction. It does so by applying pressure on specific areas, which is translated into a message for the brain. One way it aids weight loss is by giving you a feeling of fullness, killing hunger pangs, and reducing cravings for tobacco, sugar, & alcohol. Pressure on specific points is also known to alleviate headaches.
[Read: Natural Treatments for Obesity]
Interesting Facts about Ear Piercing
- Ear piercing has been a common practice. But, piercings on other parts of the body have also gained some popularity in recent times. However, despite the reputation, the number of people who have piercings in other places other than the ears is only 7%.
- Going without earrings can close the piercing. The healing process can take up to 6 months. During this time, not wearing earrings for more than 24 hours can close the piercing. If you have got cartilage piercing, keeping your earrings all the time is the only way you can stop the piercing from closing.
How long do the effects of ear piercing for weight loss last?
Generally, the effect of ear piercing lasts for 2 to 4 months on average. However, it may vary from individual to individual. In most cases, reapplication is not needed since the body gets habituated to the balance and healthy habits in the first application.
On average, ear-piercing showed a significant reduction of 3 to 4 pounds in women and up to 5 pounds in men in a week.
Following a healthy diet and regular workout can augment weight loss.
[Also Read: Benefits of Tapping for Weight Loss]
How Does Ear Piercing for Weight Loss Work?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear has micro-systems and consists of pressure points. Once needles are inserted into these points, it soon starts curbing the appetite. Also, the metabolism receives a boost, and problems such as overeating and binge eating are eliminated. Furthermore, the digestion is enriched, helping the body gain its nutrients as quickly as possible.
Ear piercing also releases endorphins into the body, which soothes the nerves and helps you avoid stress-eating. Endorphins help in lowering stress, anxiety(3), and frustration levels. The hormones and the digestive system benefit from the endorphins too. As a result, you shed those extra kilos and have a balanced hormone system.
Before the needle is inserted into the ear lobe, various points on the ear are stimulated. Then a magnet or a bead is attached to these points, and once the needles are inserted, the action kicks off. If the patient feels an urge to eat during the process, pressing the magnet can kill the appetite. Once the process is over, the efficiency of ear piercing for weight loss can only be improved by eating a good diet and following a healthy lifestyle. Some breathing techniques and herbal remedies can also expedite the weight loss process.
There are two main types of ear piercings, namely: Daith piercing and Tragus piercing.
Daith piercing
Daith piercing for weight loss has been seen as an effective remedy to fight weight problems with unbelievable results. In this process, specific points are triggered on the innermost cartilage helps in promoting weight loss. It can be your short-cut to shedding those extra kilos and reach your ideal weight quickly. Combine it with a healthy diet and a regular exercise regime, and you will see results in no time.
Tragus piercing
Tragus piercing is another renowned technique of ear piercing for weight loss. The procedure is done on the outer layers of the ear, which works in similar ways to other ear piercing techniques. It is known to work its way by curbing appetite.
[Also Read: Ear Piercing For Migraine]
FAQ’s
1. Can piercing your tragus paralyze you?
If practiced properly, tragus piercing cannot paralyze or cause any notable side-effects.
2. Are tragus piercing for weight loss dangerous?
They aren’t super risky; however, they do tend to pose certain complications when done without expertise. If you were to contract an infection, it would be much harder to ward it off, than the other piercings. Also, there is a chance of hypertrophic scarring around your piercing, leaving a permanent mark that makes it hard to treat.
