While acupuncture has been around for centuries, it has only recently been associated with weight loss. Eager to gear up for the summer season, Lisa Regan took a trip to The Hawthorn Clinic on Henry Street to investigate this alternative way of losing weight

From Atkins to The Cabbage Soup Diet to Weight Watchers to the Personality Type Diet, there always seems to be a better or a simpler way to lose weight, with new ideas, regimes and systems coming on the market each week.

Karen Egan.

However, when news of an age old complementary therapy landed on my desk recently, I was intrigued to see if, as purported, it could assist weight loss by releasing feel good chemicals and thereby stemming the appetite.

Acupuncture has been around for centuries, however its use as a weight loss tool is an almost new phenomenon in western cultures. The complementary treatment is said to stimulate the body to release endorphins, the body's own 'feel good' pain relieving chemicals, thereby controlling the appetite.

Complementary therapist and clinic owner Karen Egan says that weight loss through acupuncture is one of the most popular treatments at her Henry Street clinic.

The Hawthorn Clinic above O'Brien's Pharmacy on Henry Street is a bright and airy space, with geranium and ylang ylang scents in the air.

While the thoughts of being the recipient of a multitude of tiny needle pricks can be unnerving, I was immediately at my ease. As this was my first visit to the clinic, I first had a consultation with Karen, where she assessed my physical wellbeing from head to toe.

From this, Karen ascertained what type of acupuncture that I needed.

"Acupuncture is great for weight loss, as it improves the digestive system by toning and regulating the body and maximising the efficacy of eliminating wastes and toxins. By having this treatment, you are allowing your body to absorb the maximum nutrients from your food, which in turn means that you will have more energy from food and therefore will have more energy in general," Karen explains.

Karen inserted fine disposable sterile needles onto the Meriden lines (energy lines) along my body. This, process, which took just over an hour, boosted the chi of my organs and was so relaxing I actually fell asleep during the treatment.

Karen says she has had unbelievable results with this treatment but stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and combining the treatment with regular exercise.

"After a few sessions though, people find their energy levels are much higher, so the incentive is there to exercise. Also people's sleeping patterns, moods and PMT really improve," she says.