Expert tummy trimmers...acupuncture tested!

The acupuncturist and herbalist expert Pierre Jean Cousin

The strategy: Electro-acupuncture, £50 for the first treatment and consultation, then £40 for each 45 minutes thereafter. Three to four treatments are recommended at weekly intervals, followed by a monthly top-up.

Where to find it: Kensington Therapy Centre, Kensington High Street, London (020 7376 1199; www.curebynature.co.uk).

The low-down: Traditional Chinese philosophy has it that the body's qi (energy) moves through channels, known as meridians, under the skin's surface. If qi is blocked by illness or poor nutrition, imbalances occur. Inserting fine, painless acupuncture needles into the skin stimulates qi, so the body can rebalance itself. Even tummy bulges gradually subside. But let's give ourselves a break. ‘A flat stomach doesn't exist,' Pierre Jean Cousin points out. ‘Everyone has a slight curve, due to muscles and the fat layer that covers them.' As we age, the gut swells and we're more prone to bloating and flab - our hormones are often the cause. ‘A post-pregnancy bulge is often as stubborn as the build-up of fluid and fat that occurs around the menopause,' he says.

[quote]Cousin uses electro-acupuncture, a method that passes a micro-current through six to eight needles inserted at angles all over the stomach. Fat cells hold water, but the current separates them, forcing them to migrate and disperse. To balance hormones and ease bloating, Cousin prescribes combinations of herbs, plus circulation-boosting essential oils such as clary sage and geranium. Expect results within two to three weeks, but not if you don't adjust your diet, Cousin warns.

Try this... To prevent bloating, avoid mucus forming carbohydrates such as wheat and barley. Carbs feed candida (we're all natural hosts), which produce  CO2 gases. Dairy foods, too, can provoke mild allergic reactions and gut swelling. But reforming your diet takes discipline. ‘People need encouragement to be pro-active,' says Cousin. ‘Taking control leads to greater confidence, a more positive self-image and, ultimately, success.'

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