Each year, people across the globe vow to finally quit smoking for good only to watch their resolution go up in smoke. If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a powerful addiction. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. In fact, acupuncture is often a court mandated treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to curb withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings. 

It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit 2 or 3 times, or more, before finally kicking the habit.

When conventional methods to quit smoking, such as nicotine gum or patches, have failed, smokers often look outside the mainstream and turn to alternative medicine.

Acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure in the treatment of any addiction, including smoking. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to quit and remain smoke-free. If you are highly motivated and ready to quit, acupuncture can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life!

A Formidable Addiction
More than 50 million Americans smoke, and nearly 7 million more use smokeless tobacco. The numbers are even higher in other parts of the globe, with worldwide statistics showing that one out of three men and women over the age of 18 are smokers.

The reasons to quit smoking are endless. Cigarettes have 4000 known poisons, any of which can kill in high enough doses. One drop of pure nicotinic acid can kill a man. According to the CDC, tobacco kills more than 440,000 people each year, in the US alone. Not to mention the chronic illnesses and diseases that are associated with smoking. Emphysema, lung cancer, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chronic cough, an increased frequency of colds and flu; these are just a few of the widely known risks associated with smoking.

Many people decide to quit because of the enormous expense of a cigarette habit or are just plain tired of being dependant on a substance. There is also considerable social pressure not to smoke. I am sure that most smokers can recall a dirty look or rude comment from someone that was nearby when they lit up.

How Does Acupuncture Help Break the Cigarette Habit?
Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. As said before, acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure in the treatment of smoking. It can, however, reduce the cravings and lessen the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting.


Oriental Medicine aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body.

Your acupuncturist may do an interview to learn about your unique smoking habits and perform a physical examination including blood pressure, taking the pulse and observing the tongue. The emotional and physical symptoms that you are experiencing will help create a clear picture on which your practitioners can create a treatment plan specifically for you.

The acupuncture treatments will focus on the jitters, the cravings, the irritability, and the restlessness that people commonly complain about when they quit. It will also aid in relaxation and detoxification.


What Points Are Used?
Each patient is custom-treated according to his or her specific and unique diagnosis. Usually a combination of body acupuncture points and points on the ear are used that are believed to influence the organs and energetic pathways associated with smoking.

Acupuncture: Alcohol Addiction

Fee: $500 (3 or more months of treatments)     |      Duration: 45 min - 1 hour sessions

Fee Includes
2 to 3 sessions per week

Product Recommendations
Products
One FREE Intro Session for BCE or Somato Emotional Release.
Treatments for Relapses within 6 months of last session.

 Please Note
- Avoid coffee and cigarettes ½ hour prior to and after treatment.
- Eat something before your treatment.
- You may experience slight discomfort at site of insertion.
- You may experience needle shock - mild headaches, fainting sensation, perspiration.

Other procedures used separately or together with this session include:
Moxibustion (burning of floss or herbs applied to the skin) This is the injection of sterile water, procaine, morphine, vitamins, or homeopathic solutions through the inserted needles

Electro Acupuncture The electrical stimulation of acupuncture points in the external ear.

Acupressure The use of manual pressure on acupuncture points.

Far-Infrared Heat Therapy A heating lamp with far-infrared, used to stimulate and enhance the abilities of applied needles.
 

Acupuncture: food Addiction

Fee: $300 (3 or more months of treatments)     |      Duration: 45 min - 1 hour sessions

Fee Includes
2 to 3 sessions per week

Product Recommendations
Products
One FREE Intro Session for BCE or Somato Emotional Release.
Treatments for Relapses within 6 months of last session.

 Please Note
- Avoid coffee and cigarettes ½ hour prior to and after treatment.
- Eat something before your treatment.
- You may experience slight discomfort at site of insertion.
- You may experience needle shock - mild headaches, fainting sensation, perspiration.

Other procedures used separately or together with this session include:
Moxibustion (burning of floss or herbs applied to the skin) This is the injection of sterile water, procaine, morphine, vitamins, or homeopathic solutions through the inserted needles

Electro Acupuncture The electrical stimulation of acupuncture points in the external ear.

Acupressure The use of manual pressure on acupuncture points.

Far-Infrared Heat Therapy A heating lamp with far-infrared, used to stimulate and enhance the abilities of applied needles.
 

Acupuncture: Smoking Addiction  

Fee: $350 (3 or more months of treatments)     |      Duration: 45 min - 1 hour sessions

Fee Includes
2 to 3 sessions per week

Product Recommendations
Products
One FREE Intro Session for BCE or Somato Emotional Release.
Treatments for Relapses within 6 months of last session.

 Please Note
- Avoid coffee and cigarettes ½ hour prior to and after treatment.
- Eat something before your treatment.
- You may experience slight discomfort at site of insertion.
- You may experience needle shock - mild headaches, fainting sensation, perspiration.

Other procedures used separately or together with this session include:
Moxibustion (burning of floss or herbs applied to the skin) This is the injection of sterile water, procaine, morphine, vitamins, or homeopathic solutions through the inserted needles

Electro Acupuncture The electrical stimulation of acupuncture points in the external ear.

Acupressure The use of manual pressure on acupuncture points.

Far-Infrared Heat Therapy A heating lamp with far-infrared, used to stimulate and enhance the abilities of applied needles.