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Public release date: 26 September 2008
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Stop Smoking Now with Acupuncture
According to
About.com, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people smoke cigarettes. According to
Cancer.org, each year, a staggering 440,000 people die in the US from tobacco use, and nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking. Think about this extremely disturbing statistic from Cancer.org, cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.
Cigarettes destroy your lungs, skin, and eventually you. It is widely known that smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. If you are trying to stop smoking, I commend you. It is of course hard to break any habit, but can be particularly difficult to stop smoking.
There are a wide array of stop smoking products and services. Some people have found success with gums, patches, hypnosis, and more. But if these remedies do not work for you or work into your lifestyle, perhaps you should try an alternative method that is growing increasingly popular.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art involving the use of fine needles. These fine needles are inserted into the skin to allow energy, or Qi, to start flowing through and around your body. This energy is said be calming and relaxing, which can in turn help you to not want a cigarette as often.
When you first go to visit an acupuncturist, you need to tell them that you are there to get help to stop smoking. The acupuncture specialist will then ask you a series of questions and carry out an examination of your ears other areas to determine the spots where your energy is low.
When the specialist has found these spots, he will then proceed to insert the needles into these areas. Normally 5 needles are placed around the various low energy points. While acupuncture itself is essentially a painless procedure, some people have claimed that they felt a small prick. After an hour or so, the treatment is complete and the needles are removed. The specialist may then advise you to wear ear magnets so your therapy continues even after you leave the facility.
The majority of smokers will need to return to the clinic four to six times before seeing any significant results. Just to give some idea of what to expect, one study shows that the individuals reported a decrease in the number of cravings to smoke just after one or two sessions. Also, seven out of ten of the study participants were able to kick the habit after five or six sessions.
The studies are not conclusive since the amount of test subjects were almost always limited numbers. Also since the studies were short term and because they were not carried out long term, this has made some doubt the effectiveness of acupuncture as a healing art, as well as therapy to help people stop smoking.
Although helpful, you have to remember that acupuncture is not permanent. It aids you in your mission to stop smoking but the majority is still left up to you. Some smokers, who go to an acupuncturist multiple times, may need to continue going back for repeat sessions throughout the year or beyond.
In order to finally quit smoking for good, you have to find ways to restrain yourself from picking up a cigarette. When you want to pick up a cigarette, reach for a piece of gum or find something around you to fiddle with. One way to decrease the want for a cigarette is by staying away from people who smoke. When you are around others who smoke, it is likely that you will be tempted to ask for one. If you simply can not avoid other smokers, then you can create your own chant which you repeat to yourself every time you have an urge. Think of encouraging reasons why you should remain smoke free. Cravings are usually short term and only last a few minutes until something else occupies your mind.
Always remember that acupuncture treatment to stop smoking or any reason should only be done by a license professional. You can do some research online to find out if they are accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any issues or complaints.
Once you have found the right acupuncturist for the job, you have to commit yourself to the program in order for it to help you. Acupuncture can help greatly ease the craving pangs of stopping smoking, but the rest is up to you.
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