Resolution 4: Quit Smoking
Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. Some researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin because of its ability to curb withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings.
In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction[2]. Results showed that 54.8% of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5% and 9.1% in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.
Acupuncture treatment for smoking cessation is a two-fold program. The first step focuses on acute withdrawal symptoms (jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness) commonly complained about trying to quit. The second step addresses the more chronic conditions by correcting the damage caused by smoking[3]. A combination of Traditional Chinese herbs and acupuncture points on the body and ear (auricular acupuncture) are used to stimulate the Lungs and Liver.
The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. When treating any condition in the acute stage, multiple treatments are required – 6 to 8 treatments within the first 2 weeks. As the acute symptoms reduce, the number of treatments needed each week reduces also. Chronic conditions can be alleviated in 4 to 6 months.
The Rule of Thumb for treating chronic conditions is: For every year you’ve had a condition, it will take a month of treatments to clear it.Acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure-all in the treatment of any addiction, including smoking. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to quit and remain smoke-free. If you are highly motivated and ready to quit, acupuncture can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life!
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[1]“After The Last Cigarette: The Benefits of Quitting Smoking Begin,” ABOUT.COM (Health); May 13, 2009; Martin, Terry
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/after_quitting.htm
[2]“A Randomized Controlled Trial of Auricular Acupuncture for Cocaine Dependence,” ARCHIVES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE; August 2000; Vol 160 No 15 Pg 2305-2312; S. Kelly Avants; Arthur Margolin; Theodore R. Holford; Thomas R. Kosten
http://opa.yale.edu/news/article.aspx?id=3397
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/160/15/2305
[3]“Electro-acupuncture promotes survival, differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as well as functional recovery in the spinal cord-transected rats,” BMC NEUROSCIENCE; April 20 2009, Vol 10:35
doi:10.1186/1471-2202-10-35
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/10/35
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