How to quit smoking successfully with acupuncture?

Dr Emad Tukmachi November 11, 2015

It is estimated that more than 20 million people smoke in the UK and so that why the main aims to stop smoking are endless. The most harmful chemicals in Cigarettes are the cancer-causing (carcinogenic) with other toxins (such as nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT). The clinical research in smoking found that tobacco has caused thousands premature deaths each year and also cause chronic chest diseases (such emphysema, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis). Most smokers willing to stop smoking because of two main reasons, firstly the health and secondly the enormous expense of a cigarette habit. Why is acupuncture the best alternative treatment for stop smoking?

Quit smoking by acupuncture treatment has helped many people (males and females) who were moderate to heavy smokers. If you are smoking for more than 12 months, the cigarette’s tar will affect your lung by blocking some vital tissues and preventing the healthy breathing system. But if you continue to smoke for many years, then smoking will damage your lungs. However, quit smoking for up to 2 years, the lungs will regain their healthy status and look like as if you never smoke in your life. How does acupuncture work to stop smoking? In Chinese Medicine, the acupuncture treatment is to balance the energy within the body in order to restore normal health. In quit smoking, the main function of acupuncture in stop smoking is to control certain withdrawal symptoms such as craving, nervousness, over-eating and restlessness. The clinical research study which was carried out in Norway showed that the treatment with acupuncture has significant effects on smoking by reducing the craving for cigarettes for a maximum of 5 years following the first initial acupuncture session of treatment.

Furthermore, the smokers in this study reported their taste for cigarettes was worse than before the course of acupuncture treatment. For quit smoking, Acupuncture treatment consists ear and body acupuncture. To quit smoking successfully, you should consider the following tips alongside the acupuncture treatment course:

1. Exercise more (such as walking and swimming) because the exercises can reduce your stress and help you to relax.

2. A healthy balance diet is considered for every smoker who wants to quit by eating more fruits and vegetables such as apples, kiwis, carrots, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits. This diet will help the body alkalinity and decrease cravings.

3. Unhealthy diet should be avoided such as junk food (fast food), sugary food (chocolates, bisects and cakes) and fatty food (including red meats). Try also to avoid black tea or coffee and drink green tea in order to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage cravings.

4. Try to drink enough water frequently throughout the day because dryness may lead to cravings.

5. Daily exercises such as brisk walking and also to practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm.

How many acupuncture treatment sessions does the smoker need? The number of acupuncture treatment sessions are variable among smokers. Each acupuncture treatment session usually lasted for up to 30 minutes and the smoker should be treated twice a week. Each course of treatment may take between 12-20 acupuncture treatment sessions. Some symptoms are relieved after one course of acupuncture treatment while more severe or chronic ailments often require longer than a typical course. In summary, if you want to quit smoking by acupuncture therapy, you are not only saving money on long run but also saving your health. It has been estimated that the moderate smoker (10-20 cigarettes per day) spends at least £1800 PER YEAR.

Acupuncture is the best alternative approach to stop smoking because of its power to control cravings and clear most withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness (sometimes nervous break-down), irritability, tiredness, anxiety and lack of concentration.