Acupuncture is a centuries-old practice that involves the use of needles to help smokers quit smoking. It involves an examination of the ears and the insertion of 5 needles into various acupoints. After an hour, the needles are removed and the session continues. Most smokers need to visit the clinic four to six times before they see any significant results, but one study found that after 5 or 6 sessions, 7 out of 10 respondents were able to break the habit. Some people are skeptical of acupuncture's effectiveness due to the small number of test subjects.
Acupuncture can help smokers quit smoking, but it is not a permanent treatment. To achieve this, smokers must find ways to keep themselves from reaching for a cigarette, such as avoiding people who smoke and creating a personal mantra. They must also commit to the program and work together with the acupuncturist to break the habit. Acupuncture for smokers should only be performed by a licensed professional who is accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Smoking is a difficult habit to break. If nicotine patches and gum don't work for you, you could try an alternative form of healthcare such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a centuries-old practice that involves the use of needles. This instrument is inserted into the skin to allow energy or Qi to flow freely around your body, assisting you in quitting smoking.
When you go to an acupuncturist for the first time and tell him or her that you want to quit smoking, the specialist will perform an examination of your ears and look for areas where energy is low.
These sharp needles are inserted after these locations have been identified. Typically, 5 needles are inserted into various acupoints.
After an hour, the needles are removed, and you are advised to wear ear magnets so that your session continues even after you leave the clinic. While acupuncture is a painless procedure, some smokers have reported feeling a prick or becoming sleepy.
Most smokers will need to visit the clinic four to six times before they see any significant results. To give you an example, one study found that respondents reported a decrease in the number of cravings to smoke after just one or two sessions. After 5 or 6 sessions, 7 out of 10 respondents were able to break the habit.
Some people are skeptical of acupuncture's effectiveness because of the small number of test subjects. This is due to the fact that, while there are positive signs regarding the short-term effects of this technique, the effects were not sustained. As a result, some medical journals have stated that it is unclear what acupuncture can do to help people quit smoking.
However, keep in mind that acupuncture is not a permanent treatment. It simply begins something that you must complete on your own. Some smokers who visit the clinic twice or three times per week will need to return for follow-up sessions in the future.
At the same time, you must find ways to keep yourself from reaching for a cigarette. You can accomplish this by avoiding people who smoke because you will be tempted to ask for a stick. You can create your own personal mantra that you repeat to yourself whenever you have a craving.
Remember that this craving is only temporary and will only last a few minutes. You've worked so hard to leave this behind, so stay on track and smoke-free.
Acupuncture for smokers should only be performed by a licensed professional. You can do some online research to see if they are accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, how long they have been in the profession, how many smokers they have helped, and how much they will charge.
Once you've found one, you must commit to the program because both you and the acupuncturist must work together to break the habit.
Acupuncture can help smokers quit smoking in the same way that it has helped addicts and alcoholics quit. You simply have to give it a shot, even if you don't believe in it.