Smoking Cessation
There are many health benefits to quitting smoking. Numerous diseases are linked to smoking including lung cancer, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, as well as heart attacks and strokes. Several months after quitting smoking, lung function is substantially improved and several years after, risks of smoking-related diseases decrease significantly. Quitting smoking has many advantages including improved circulation, healthy blood pressure levels, easier breathing, and increased sense of smell and taste. Giving up tobacco can help individuals live longer, healthier lives and the risk of developing cancer decreases with each smoke-free year.
Quitting smoking often requires multiple attempts and often people try a number of different quitting techniques before they are successful. Acupuncture can be very effective in helping people to stop smoking. Acupuncture treatments to help people quit smoking are usually combinations of body acupuncture, auricular ear acupuncture, and in some cases, Chinese herbal remedies.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatments can help to reduce tobacco cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. Acupuncture treatments may help an individual quit smoking by:
- Promoting relaxation and diverting the stress that leads to smoking
- Detoxifying the body
- Reducing nicotine cravings
Acupuncture treatment points may also be used to suppress the appetite and improve mood, reducing the depression and weight gain that many people experience when they stop smoking.
The Acupuncture Method
Auricular ear acupuncture is the most common form of treatment for smoking cessation. During auricular acupuncture treatment, at least five ear acupuncture points are stimulated with fine needles, either manually or with electro-stimulation. Points on the body may also be treated with acupuncture. Magnetic auricular therapy balls may also be used. These magnetic therapy balls allow the patient to stimulate specific points if they experience nicotine cravings in between treatments. Acupuncture treatments are usually given 2 to 3 times per week for three weeks, however, frequency of treatments may vary based on the individual.
Quitting smoking at any time is beneficial to good health and acupuncture can be an effective part of helping with the process. It is important to be committed to to the smoking cessation program, as this increases the chances of success.