Smoking Addiction: How Acupuncture Can Help
How Does Acupuncture Help You Quit Smoking?
It is important to note that, while acupuncture does assist in smoking cessation, it is not a magic cure that makes you quit immediately. Rather, acupuncture helps you curb your cravings and manage the physical and mental stressors that often come with ending nicotine dependency. Different acupuncture methods are used for the different symptoms and side-effects experienced when cutting out cigarettes.
Acupuncture Can Help Reduce the Urge for Cigarettes
Auricular acupuncture is known to help manage cravings and is often used to help control appetite and assist in weight control.
Also known as ear stapling, auricular acupuncture involves inserting needles into different acupoints within the ear to reduce your cravings.
Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective when it comes to reducing the urge to smoke both in the short-term and long-term, helping people to quit smoking entirely. Some have even said that, after treatment, cigarettes taste worse than before, further reducing their desire to smoke.
Acupuncture to Manage Symptoms
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and, as with any other addictive substance, ending your consumption of it usually comes with some side-effects. Common side-effects of quitting smoking include anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. Luckily, acupuncture is an effective way to manage all of these symptoms.
Anxiety is perhaps the most prevalent symptom that comes with quitting smoking. Suddenly ceasing nicotine consumption makes many people feel irritable and stressed, particularly in the first few weeks of quitting smoking. Acupuncture is a great way to manage these feelings. Treatment focuses on specific acupoints known to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Another major side-effect of quitting cigarettes is headaches, which can range from a few minutes of discomfort to day-long migraines. The efficacy of acupuncture in treating headaches is well known and is a great way to reduce the discomfort brought on by ridding your body of nicotine. For patients experiencing insomnia, your acupuncturist works to provide both a sense of relaxation and balance to your sleep and wake cycles.
Incease Your Chances of Success
By helping to manage cravings for cigarettes and the effects that come with reducing and quitting them, acupuncture presents a well-rounded treatment method that helps you manage the process from start to finish. Your acupuncturist even works with you to develop lifestyle choices that keep cravings and symptoms to a minimum, ensuring you stay on the smoke-free path.
It is difficult to cut smoking out of your life and many other cessation methods leave you still dependent on nicotine. Acupuncture provides a natural, chemical-free solution that helps you manage the worst parts of quitting.
To learn more about how acupuncture can help you quit smoking, contact the team at Accurate Acupuncture today. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.