Smoking Cessation

Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in North America. Smoking is an addiction, and you will need help to follow through your decision and to prevent relapses.

Acupuncture for smoking cessation is proven to be a highly effective and safe alternative to traditional programs of quitting smoking. Unlike other therapies acupuncture treats the whole person: body, mind, emotions, and spirit, just as addiction impairs the whole person. Rather than focusing on one problem such as cravings control or withdrawal symptoms, acupuncture works on the entire system. However, the desired results can only be achieved if the person is ready to quit, and is willing to commit to the process.

The smoking cessation treatment course enables you to quit smoking by minimizing cravings, calming the nervous system, and strengthening the will power. It is suitable for women, men, and adolescents. The treatment is comprehensive, flexible and inexpensive. It has few contraindications and adverse reactions.

How it Works

Auricular acupuncture is normally used in smoking cessation programs, and is aimed at countering both physical and emotional cravings. With special hair-thin needles practitioner stimulates 5 points on the ear. Two of these points target patient's emotional states, and their activation produces a calming effect by triggering the relaxation mode of the nervous system. The other three points correspond to the lung, liver, and kidney – organs that are affected the most by smoking. Their manipulation enhances and speeds up the organs' ability to remove the accumulated toxins, and produces aversion to tobacco.

What can people expect Acupuncture to do for them?

Acupuncture intercepts messages sent by the brain to the body that demand more nicotine, thereby disturbing the addictive process. It can eliminate most cravings, but not the habit. Generally the treatment reduces cravings from 20+ to 3-5 a day. The person's responsibility is to make it through those few cravings.

Herbal Therapy

A specifically formulated herbal formula that the patient takes during the treatment course is designed to supplement the treatments by stimulating the same organs. It also helps deal with the withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, and mood swings.

Treatment Course

The course consists of twelve 45-minute treatments and two follow-up sessions. Treatments are done 5 times the first week, 3 times in the second, and twice a week in the third and fourth weeks. Two non-billable follow-up sessions are scheduled upon client's request. The cost is $600.00 per course (includes acupuncture and herbs).

Follow Up

Maintenance is an important component of the treatment program and has a goal of protecting against possible relapses. There are a lot of triggers that can cause a relapse. Cigarettes can act as a shield to insulate uncomfortable feelings and situations. A new non-smoker can feel vulnerable and confused when trying to handle a stressful situation. Monthly follow-up treatments provide support and bring the person back into harmony. Participation in a support group is strongly recommended. Additional resources include:

Support Person

The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.

Affirmation

Affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to produce the desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation not only helps remind you why you are no longer smoking but also imprints a new image of health and creates a new mindset.

Setting Boundaries

Set up contracts with smokers to refrain from smoking in your presence. This includes spouses. When possible, stay away from smokers until you feel more confident with your non-smoking status.

Drinking Water

Research shows that dehydration creates cravings. Sip water frequently.

Refraining from Drinking Coffee

Research shows that coffee dehydrates the body and creates cravings.

Food Choices

Eat a lot of carrots, celery and other vegetables throughout the treatment. Candy upsets blood sugar level and can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such as NutraSweet are sweeter than sugar and produce more cravings.

Managing cravings

Cravings feel like they will last forever but will fade in two minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: take your herbs; repeat your affirmation; breathe deeply; walk to another place; sing a song; dance; call your support person.