Patent ID: 8597319

Claim:
A method for reducing excessive body weight comprising: introducing a free end of a needle into a first auricular acupuncture point on a patient's body known to produce weight loss, the needle having a head and a rod and the head being disposed on the rod at a first end of the rod opposite the free end of the needle; drawing the needle under the skin, and projecting the free end out of the skin at a second auricular point; securing the needle in this position by a retainer mounted at the free end of the needle; selecting first and second stimulating parameters, wherein each parameter is selected to induce weight loss; changing the intensity of the first stimulating parameter on the first and second auricular acupuncture points to induce weight loss by increasing the size of the head, rod, or retainer after a first predetermined number of days; and changing the intensity of the second stimulating parameter on the first and second auricular acupuncture points to induce weight loss by increasing the weight of the head, rod, or retainer after a second predetermined number of days.