Individuals can use acupuncture to quit smoking by visiting an acupuncture specialist, who can create a program specifically designed to target their needs. Withdrawal from nicotine addiction is difficult on the human body, and can create a number of negative side effects that discourages people from discontinuing the habit. Those who do not find success with prescribed medical remedies, such as nicotine patches and inhalers, may wish to try alternative herbal, holistic remedies, such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture is the art of inserting very thin needles into specific pressure points on the human body. The tradition of stimulating these areas as a way of healing the body originated in China. Acupuncturists believe that the life force, known as chi, moves through the human body, and that individuals experience relaxation and health when this energy is balanced. Chi can move along predetermined pathways in the body known as meridians. When the meridians are interrupted and the life force becomes unbalanced, individuals may then experience stress and illness.
The acupuncture needles are inserted as a means of unblocking meridian pathways. Chi may then flow freely again and restore balance and health to the body. Though not all doctors agree on the existence of chi, most tend to recognize acupuncture as a proven method for stimulating muscle development and increasing blood flow throughout the body.
Quitting smoking can cause a number of adverse side effects, such as a congested feeling in the sinuses, a general worn-out feeling throughout the body, and a cough, among others. Using acupuncture to quit smoking can address many of these side effects, as well as reduce the intense cravings smokers feel for cigarettes or other forms of tobacco. Many acupuncturists also prescribe the use of silver pellets applied to pressure points between visits, to provide quick relief from these symptoms.
There are a variety of acupuncture points that aid with the cessation of smoking. These can vary widely across the body, based on the specific side effects an individual is experiencing. Therefore, an effective program designed to use acupuncture to quit smoking will typically take an individual's specific needs and challenges into account.
Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular therapy, is a common practice in the treatment of addictions. This therapy takes the entire body into account instead of one specific organ or part of the body. Acupuncturists label the different areas of the ear to correspond with virtually every part of the human body. Needles inserted into various portions of the ear can, in theory, stimulate the production of endorphins and create an overall feeling of well-being. Auricular therapy may be used in conjunction with other types of acupuncture to help people stop smoking.
Anyone wishing to use acupuncture to quit smoking should consult a professional. This type of treatment can be dangerous when performed by individuals who have not received special training. The pressure points that tend to be related to smoking can be near major arteries and organs, and needles inserted in these areas must be placed with precision and care.