If you've tried to quit smoking multiple times and haven't found the willpower to succeed, smoking cessation aids can help. Nicotine patches and nicotine gum can be addictive and cause dependence in some individuals. Instead, try a holistic approach that may help suppress the urge to smoke and allow you to quit smoking for good. Auricular therapy is approved by the FDA to treat nicotine dependence, and it may provide successful results in some individuals.
Significance
Auricular therapy, also known as auriculotherapy, is a holistic technique using acupressure in and around the ear. Auricular therapy is used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, including weight loss, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and nicotine dependence. Auricular therapy, unlike other forms of smoking cessation therapy like nicotine gum or patches, is nonaddictive, and there are no side effects. Additionally, there are no signs of dependency on auricular therapy in the same way some patients develop a dependency to nicotine patches or gum.
History
Auricular therapy and the idea that the ear has healing properties was developed in Lyons, France, by Dr. Paul Nogier in 1957. Nogier invented the concept of the "man in the ear," the idea that the ear resembles a small fetus. This fetus appears upside down, with the lobe of the ear representing the head and the curved top of the ear representing the legs and buttocks bent into the stomach. Nogier suggested that applying pressure to specific areas of the "man in the ear" would cause a response to the same area on the larger human body.
Features
Auricular therapy can be performed by a doctor or an acupuncturist. Usually, the patient is required to stop smoking at least several hours before treatment. The doctor uses a small, electric probe to apply pressure to areas in the ear. Each pressure point is stimulated by the probe for about 60 seconds, according to St. John's Mercy Medical Center. Some patients require only one treatment, while others may require multiple treatments for smoking cravings to stop completely.
Considerations
Following the auricular therapy procedure, a doctor will explain to the patient how this behavior should be modified for the treatment to work properly. Additionally, the doctor may provide additional acupressure tools for the patient. At St. John's Mercy Medical Center, for example, patients are sent home with ear seeds, which provide electrical currents when placed in the ear. The patient can use these ear seeds at home to provide additional treatment after the initial procedure.
Expert Insight
Auricular therapy "is a painless procedure and there are no known side effects associated with this technique," states St. John's Mercy Medical Center. Both nicotine replacement treatments like Nicoderm and Nicorette have both serious and nonserious side effects. Additionally, non-nicotine smoking cessation treatments like Zyban and Chantix may produce side effects. Auricular therapy can be used on pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, while most other smoking cessation treatments cannot.
