Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can be very helpful as part of an intention to completely quit smoking. Although I have heard reports of people who totally quit smoking after one of two acupuncture sessions, generally I believe it takes more of a commitment and the following of a more comprehensive program to follow through on one's intentions. Generally I would recommend 2 treatments a week for two weeks, followed up by 3 treatments spaced a week apart and then monthly treatment for several months afterward. Such a process helps the person to quit and stay off of it, despite inevitable stresses that would cause him or her to relapse. This article will help people to understand the process of quitting smoking with acupuncture.
Here is a brief overview of how acupuncture can be helpful:
1.Specially chosen points can help interfere with messages sent to the brain demanding more nicotine, thus eliminating
cravings (even in cases where the person had no intention of quitting and didn't know such points had these effects).
2. Acupuncture can help minimize symptoms of withdrawal and help ease the detoxifying process so that the body can gently rid itself of the toxic substances.
3.Acupuncture can help ease the nerves and strengthen the will power which greatly helps the person to exist without their addictive substance.
In addition to complying to an acupuncturist's treatment regimen and perhaps taking herbs to further help the body to detox and heal, the following suggestions can be helpful to his efforts to quit smoking.
1.Set a morning appointment when possible. Refrain from smoking upon awakening, or for at least five hours before the treatment. Acupuncture seems to work best when the person is in detox.
2. Have a support person that you can call when difficult emotions surface during the process of quitting.
3. Have an affirmation to help cement your intentions such as "I lead a healthy life and only take in that which will heal me."
4. Ask other smokers to refrain from smoking in your presence or offering cigarettes.
5. Drink water to help you detox. Water has also been shown to be helpful for quitting, as dryness can cause cravings.
6. Eliminate sugars and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Blood sugar imbalances only aggravate withdrawal symptoms and increase your likelihood of reaching for a smoke.
7. Avoid coffee as this can also be drying.
If you can make it through the first 24 hrs after acupuncture without smoking you have a 90% chance of being successful with the program. To do this, avoid carrying cigarettes or having them available and avoid situations that will cause or allow you to go purchase more of them.
For more information or to schedule your stop smoking program contact Kat Delse, L.Ac. at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com