According to the American Lung Association (ALA), more than 392,000 people in the United States die each year from tobacco-related disease. An additional 50,000 people lose their lives from repeated exposure to second hand smoke. The ALA says tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says kicking the habit is the most important thing smokers can do to enhance both the quality and the length of their lives. There are a variety of quit smoking tools from which to choose. Acupuncture may be one alternative method to consider.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a healing technique that originated in traditional Chinese medicine. It uses tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body. Once in place, the needles may be moved gently or roused with electricity or heat.
Acupuncture practitioners believe inserting needles into these points in various combinations will work to rebalance your energy flow. When the technique is used on smokers hoping to quit, the goal is to diminish cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms throughout the body.
Effects
When a smoker visits an acupuncturist as a means to quit smoking, the initial evaluation may include taking your pulse and examining the color of your tongue to help identify points of weakness and insert the acupuncture needles based on the findings. According to Health.com, while needle points vary, common placement sites include the ears, feet and top of the head.
Treatments
When used to help someone kick the smoking habit, the number of acupuncture sessions needed will vary from person to person. Acufinder.com says a series of four to six treatments is typically required. The Mayo Clinic says an acupuncture visit normally lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Promoted Benefits
Acupuncture treatments will concentrate on the jitters, cravings and irritability that commonly occur as the result of nicotine withdrawal, according to Acufinder.com. It will also reportedly have relaxation and detoxification effects on the body.
Effectiveness
The ACS says there is no solid evidence to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture in helping smokers quit. Health.com adds that available research suggests that acupuncture is no more effective for smoking cessation than placebo treatments.
Acufinder.com acknowledges that acupuncture is not a magic cure in the treatment of smoking, but claims it has helped a number of cigarette smokers quit for good.
