by Elizabeth Coughlan

Created on: September 15, 2010

For anyone struggling to quit smoking, there is an alternative to nicotine patches or gum. The ancient Chinese art of acupuncture has proved to be a successful method of treating chronic addiction to tobacco. Many smokers suffer from low energy as a result of their dependence on cigarettes. By inserting needles at various points in the body, the acupuncture practitioner will restore the flow of energy, or Qi. This will enable the smoker to relax, and eventually find the will to finally quit smoking.

On the initial visit, the acupuncturist will ask the patient about their smoking habits and examine them to search for the areas of low energy. Once identified, these are the places the needles will be inserted. The cartilage behind the ears is frequently the first placement point for a needle, as it promotes a calming effect. Other usual points are on the wrists and hands, two of the "four gates" into the body that provide paths for the flow of energy. This is a holistic treatment that helps the smoker to free himself from both the psychological and physiological dependence on tobacco.

The procedure is completely painless and usually lasts about one hour, although it often needs four or five visits to the acupuncturist before any significant improvement is made. After each treatment, the patient is fitted with ear tacks, or magnets. In this way, the treatment can be continued outside of the appointments, as the patient can squeeze these between the thumb and forefinger to restore calm, and help them in their resolve to give up their habit.

For optimum success in quitting smoking, it is essential to ensure that the acupuncturist is a licensed professional accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, as well as being a specialist in helping smokers to kick their habit. Not all acupuncturists have experience in this area. It is also very important that the smoker commits to the whole program to the end, otherwise there is a danger that they might relapse.

Acupuncture alone cannot "cure" a person of their smoking habit. However, continued treatment can assist the smoker who really wants to quit. The practitioner will recommend a course of herbal supplements, stress that the patient should keep away from other smokers to avoid temptation, and may suggest a mantra that the patient can recite every time they get the urge to light up a cigarette.

Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance and patients may experience severe withdrawal symptoms like palpitations, dizziness and nausea. Acupuncture treatment can help the patient to deal with these symptoms and resist the urge to start smoking again. One of the greatest advantages of using acupuncture to quit smoking is that no chemical substance is introduced into the body. This treatment is completely natural, and can help the smoker to quit the habit forever.

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