Quit Smoking with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the approaches people turn to when giving up smoking. Smoking is a strong, complicated addiction. It includes the physical addiction to nicotine, the habit of smoking and the emotional attachment. When you make the decision to stop smoking you need the best tools to help you with both the physical and emotional symptoms.

It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit two or three times before finally kicking the habit. When conventional methods to quit smoking fail, smokers will look outside mainstream approaches and turn to alternative medicine. Acupuncture is one of the options people try, including those who have been unsuccessful with other methods in the past.

Coping with withdrawal symptoms

The most common withdrawal effects of quitting smoking include jitters, cravings, irritability, stress and restlessness. Acupuncture treatments take a holistic approach, meaning all of your symptoms are taken into account, and work on the root cause to help bring the body back into balance.

What the research says

A study conducted at the University of Oslo, Norway, reported that participants had a reduced desire to smoke up to five years after the initial treatment. Subjects of the study also reported that cigarettes and tobacco tasted worse than before treatment. (He et al, 2001).

How acupuncture is used for quitting smoking

Acupuncture is a technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine that uses fine needles to stimulate certain points on the body. In Chinese medicine it is traditionally used to help settle jitters, where there are cravings, to support relaxation and the body's own clearing processes.

Acupressure and Chinese herbs

Acupressure (therapeutic Chinese massage) and herbs are often combined with acupuncture. Herbs are traditionally used where there are cravings or irritability, and to support the body's own clearing processes. Your acupuncturist will discuss the best options with you.

You may also like our articles on acupuncture for addiction, detox with Chinese medicine and boosting your energy levels.

Care Cure are Traditional Chinese Medicine specialists, treating patients in Dublin since 2006. We have clinics in Merrion Shopping Centre, Dublin 4 and 53 George's Street Lower, Dun Laoghaire. We offer free consultations and TCM diagnosis. Please get in touch if you think we may be able to help you with the process of quitting the habit.