Acupuncture to Stop Smoking

Acupuncture is an element of traditional Chinese medicine that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. Acupuncture works by stimulating points along the meridians, or energy channels of the body. When your energy is balanced, you are free from pain and addiction.

Using acupuncture to stop smoking can reduce the cravings and lessen the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking cigarettes. A successful acupuncture program will include patient preparation, patient dedication, and education about what acupuncture can and cannot do for your stop smoking goals.

When dealing with acupuncture to stop smoking each patient is custom-treated according to his or her unique diagnosis -- your acupuncturist may do an interview to learn about your specific smoking habits (where you enjoy smoking, when you enjoy smoking, etc.) and perform a physical examination.

Using Acupuncture to Stop Smoking

There is a lot of speculation about how acupuncture works to stop smoking. Some of the ways acupuncture works are:

Acupuncture causes the release of pain-relieving endorphins
Acupuncture influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain
Acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system
Acupuncture encourages circulation
Acupuncture manipulates the electrical currents of the body

The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary depending upon the person who is trying acupuncture to stop smoking. Typical treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. You can, in some cases, be relieved of your nicotine addiction after one treatment. But more than often, and for heavy smokers, you will probably require numerous treatments.

A stop smoking program using acupuncture to stop smoking will often consist of 4-6 initial treatments scheduled in the first few weeks followed by monthly treatments for four to six months.

Acupuncture Ear Staple

In addition to acupuncture points on the body, points on the ear are stimulated by acupuncture to help stop smoking. To receive continual stimulation to the stop smoking acupuncture points, an acupuncture ear staple can be used. An acupuncture ear staple is similar to getting a pierced ear and is said to be effective for 3 - 4 months. If your stop smoking goals have not yet been meet, you can get another acupuncture ear staple.

Acupuncture to Stop Smoking: Final Word

As with any other stop smoking aids, there are no miracles in the treatment for nicotine addiction. There are a multitude of products on the market, from herbal remedies for stopping smoking, to stop smoking pills, laser treatments and of course acupuncture to stop smoking.

By exploring the market and talking to your doctor and other people who have stop smoking or are trying to stop smoking, you will find the right path to freedom from nicotine addiction.