Acupuncture Quit Smoking Treatment
AUTHOR: Dan Yeltsin
If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking in the past, and you have a strong desire to stop this unhealthy habit once and for all, acupuncture might be just the thing for you. It doesn’t work for everyone, of course, but if you are highly motivated and open to alternative methods to quit smoking, you may be one of the satisfied nonsmokers who benefited from an acupuncture quit smoking treatment.
The Chinese have used acupuncture for centuries to treat a variety of medical ills. It’s not considered an alternative medicine in China, but rather part of their traditional medicine practices.
What exactly is acupuncture?
The word acupuncture comes from two Latin words: acus, meaning “needle,” and pungere, meaning “prick.” In traditional Chinese Mandarin language, it means, “needle therapy.” Acupuncture is a technique using thin, pliable needles applied to various pressure points in the body to restore health and create well-being.
Typically, an acupuncturist will insert needles into several spots in your ear and sometimes on your hand and wrist. The needles are left in place for twenty to forty-five minutes at a time.
Is it effective?
The jury is still out on whether acupuncture quit smoking treatments have any real scientific backing to their claims. The evidence is insufficient to determine this, but for many smokers, using acupuncture to quit smoking has been the treatment that has worked when nothing else has.
Is acupuncture quit smoking treatment right for you?
Since acupuncture doesn’t use any drugs or nicotine, it’s a great choice if you desire a natural quit smoking method. There’s no pain, and in fact, it’s very relaxing, so this also makes it a good choice. When acupuncture is effective, it will drastically reduce the cravings and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that are the biggest hurdles to overcome when you want to quit smoking.
It’s a fast method too – you may only need one session, although many times several sessions are called for. The technician or physician administering the acupuncture treatment will know the best plan for you as he or she evaluates your unique medical history and your smoking habits.
Acupuncture quit smoking treatments are not inexpensive, though, and this might preclude you being able to take advantage of this method. You should check with your insurance carrier – often your health insurance may cover a portion of your treatments.
Many people report that after their acupuncture quit smoking treatment, cigarettes actually taste horrible. Some have described this as tasting like a wet ashtray smells – ugh! This unusual effect can work to your favor in helping you quit smoking for good.
No matter what method you use to quit smoking, you will be redefining yourself at the same time as a nonsmoker. This gives you a real boost in self-esteem, which then naturally spills over into other areas of your life.