Smoking Cessation with Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is already a renowned method used in treating smoking addiction. Acupuncture has originated as far as 3000 BC in ancient China, this treatment is now being widely utilized for various medicinal and therapeutic purposes. It can also successfully treat drug dependence and chronic smoking addiction.
Acupuncture is recommended as an alternative therapy, especially where conventional therapies have already failed. Insertion of needles in various parts of the body aims to treat the condition in a more profound and emotional level. Acupuncture can relieve the physiological and psychological effects of addiction to smoking, through a more holistic way.
How can Acupuncture stop addictions?
Auricular acupuncture or Ear acupuncture, is usually used for addictions, including cigarettes', drugs, alcohol, etc. Each acupuncture point on the outer ear relates to a strategic point in the body. When a point is stimulated with a needle, it sends a kind of electrical signal to the brain which then correspondingly stimulates the part of the body the point is related to. As such stimulating the points can be helpful in relieving joint and muscle aches, and energizing the necessary organs through stimulating the brain.
Auricular acupuncture for addictions is a useful tool in relieving the symptoms of withdrawal, including decreasing the severity of cravings, body aches, headaches, nausea, sweating and muscle cramping. People also report that they sleep better, feel less depressed and more relaxed. Based on 3000 years of Chinese medicine, auricular acupuncture is being used in over 1000 addiction treatment centers in North America.
People who have a smoking habit are bound to smoke more often whenever they feel stressed, bored, or depressed. Needles are also often inserted on the body and specific locations on the ear to promote a steadier flow of bodily energy. The feeling of relaxation will help an individual think hard before lighting a cigarette again.
Auricular acupuncture has been found to help the smoker individual deal with the withdrawal symptoms better. It promotes better tolerance to discomfort during smoking cessation. Smoking withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe palpitations, smoking urges, dizziness, or may involve some nausea or increase of appetite.
People who have opted acupuncture to quit smoking reported that they no longer find cigarettes as tempting or as tempting or as satisfying. On the contrary, smoking would leave an awful taste in their mouths, making them more decisive to stop their habit for once. Some people would even choose chewing gums, eating mints or lozenges to get rid of the terrible after taste.
According to expert TCM acupuncturists, approximately 6-7 out of 10 smokers will successfully get rid of their habit after 8-10 weeks of once a week treatments. While others are unable to quit totally, these smokers will be able to cut down on their cigarette consumption quite significantly.
Chinese herbal medicine, can also be added to the treatment plan. It can help the patient be calmer between the treatments and make quitting smoking much easier.