About Smoking
Cigarettes have 4000 known poisons. According to the CDC, tobacco kills more than 440,000 people each year, in the US alone. Many chronic illnesses and diseases are associated with smoking: such as emphysema, cancer of lung (or mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder and kidney etc.), high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chronic cough, an increased frequency of colds & flu and so on. These are just a few of the widely known risks associated with smoking.
Each year, people across the globe vow to finally quit smoking. If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit 2 or 3 times, or more, before finally kicking the habit. It is hard because nicotine is a powerful addiction. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
View of TCM
In the TCM principle, heart and brain control the mind. Smoking addiction is because of the intensive mind from heart and brain. By the way, liver also affects the smoking addiction through regulating the qi movement of heart and brain etc.
Treatment of TCM
These days many people are trying to quit smoking, but a large number fail. The stress, anxiety and depression are associated with quitting. 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 can help you have a better chance at success.
1) Mechanism
Acupuncture as an alternative and effective approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. Acupuncture may quit smoking through:
A. Reduce the cravings (addiction)
B. Lessen the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting
C. Aid in relaxation and detoxification
D. Heal the damaged organ systems from smoking
Acupuncture is known to influence areas of the brain implicated in addiction, as well as digestive activity, circulation, hormonal activity and other areas that are forced to readjust when eliminating a chemical dependency. This ability to help the body adjust at a physical, biochemical level is the reason why acupuncture has become so widespread in the field of chemical dependency treatment.
2) Procedure
The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Acupuncture works with Chinese herbs and proper lifestyle/diet to aim a better effect. Typical treatments last from 5 to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments. A stop smoking program will often consist of 4-6 initial treatments scheduled in the first few weeks followed by monthly treatments for four to six months.
3) Effect
Nearly all persons to quit smoking can receive a steady, permanent result. And during quitting smoking, patients will not feel uncomfortable.