Many western health care providers do not agree with the potential advantages of alternative treatment methods. When there are natural treatment options where a person can stop using medications and try to use natural alternatives, these options should be explored. This is very true when it comes to eating disorders.



The two most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is a condition characterized by a person believing themselves to be overweight no matter how thin they are. They are unable to keep their weight at what would be considered healthy. Bulimia is similar, but when a person suffers from this eating disorder they actually tend to overeat. Immediately after eating, they feel they must purge their body of all the food they have eaten. This is done by either throwing up the food or using excessive amounts of laxatives. These disorders are commonly seen among young women.

Another eating disorder, one not given as much publicity, is binge eating. With this disorder the person overeats, more then they feel comfortable eating, but do not purge their systems. People with this disorder just continue to gain excessive amounts of weight.

Before anyone can be treated, it must be understood that these are not medical issues alone. They are the behavior of a troubled person, unhappy with their picture of their own body. Acupuncturists will tell you that they can help. Acupuncturists claim they can rebalance the body's energy and replace the harmony needed in a person to change their eating to a healthier happier place.

Most often people suffering from eating disorders are told to see councilors. After a full medical workup they are then given advice on how best to improve their health with better nutrition. They may even see a nutritionist to help work out eating plans. It must be remembered that these people are having problems coping in the world they are living in. Trying anything to help them seems the right thing. Acupuncture is a method that could make a difference. It can treat the stress the patient is feeling. If it does no more than that, it will be a benefit worth aiming for. People with eating disorders are unhappy and anything that can make them feel better should be considered.

Acupuncture can also relieve the physical discomforts that accompany eating disorders. The damage that the patient has been doing to their bodies can cause problems with their body's normal systems. Acupuncture can help alleviate nausea, diarrhea, reflux, constipation, bloating and the pain that comes with these disorders. It can improve the overall health of the patient by restoring the body's natural energy.