Does Acupuncture Help You Stop Smoking?
Cessation of smoking may be one of the most difficult challenges a person can face. There are many remedies available to help stop smoking, including acupuncture. With the right practitioner, acupuncture can help overcome the sometimes fatal addiction to smoking.
What Is Acupuncture?
One of the oldest forms of therapy, acupuncture views the human body as being composed of a series of energy channels, or meridians, and focuses on creating balance within the body. Acupuncture uses a combination of herbal treatments and insertion of needles into the body, specifically within the pathway of the meridians. The acupuncturist will first perform an assessment, asking the patient questions about eating habits, physical activity, emotional and mental stressors and past medical history. Usually, the questionnaire for a licensed acupuncturist is fairly detailed and can take up to 30 minutes to answer. The acupuncturist can help determine how many treatments are needed after seeing the results from the initial visit.
Addiction Process
To stop smoking, the addiction process must be understood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine--the drug found in cigarettes--can be as addictive as heroin, cocaine or alcohol. In America, nicotine is rated as the most common addiction among users. The first step in treating the addiction is gaining control. According to Rich Covello, L.Ac., making an appointment for acupuncture is the first attempt to gain control.
Acupuncture Relief
Acupuncture also can help you recover from withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine withdrawal can produce anxiety, irritability, difficulty focusing and increased appetite. The goal of the acupuncturist is to guide the body back to a balanced state, helping to maintain control of the addiction.
Acupuncture Treatment
The patient completes a lengthy medical and personal history. The acupuncturist then will discuss goals and techniques for the process of quitting smoking. Sometimes the acupuncturist will recommend a combination of techniques, such as acupuncture coupled with herbal remedies, hypnosis or counseling. Next, the acupuncture session takes place on a massage table. Insertion of the needles should be virtually painless and no bleeding should occur. After the needles are inserted, the acupuncturist waits a specific amount of time before removing them. Sometimes heat is applied.
When Will The Smoking Stop?
Gaining control of an addiction differs from person to person. A number of factors can influence this process, including outside stress, lifestyle changes and readiness to quit. In most cases, people stop smoking gradually, over a period of weeks or even months, and sometimes need repeated interventions to maintain success.
Finding an Acupuncturist
Once you find an acupuncturist be certain to inquire about credentials. Licensed acupuncturists require 3,000 to 5,000 hours of training, while medical acupuncturists only require 100 to 300 hours of training. Ask about treatment procedures and patient success stories. Taking control of your treatment is part of taking control of your addiction.
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