SMOKING CESSATION through ACUPUNCTURE at Aletris in Scottsdale, AZ

Nicotine is a powerful addiction, and can be just as addictive as heroin or cocaine. It carries both strong psychological and physiological addictions. Estimates on the number of times a person will attempt to quit before kicking the habit range from three to seven. Conventional programs include behavioral therapy, nicotine patches, and medications. While these approaches work for some, many individuals look to alternative medicine for additional or separate protocols. Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. It is often a court-mandated treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

A POTENT ADDICTION
More than 50 million Americans smoke, and almost 7 million more use smokeless tobacco. The numbers are even higher in other parts of the world, with worldwide statistics showing that one out of three men and women over the age of 18 are smokers.

We've known for quite sometime that cigarettes are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Cigarettes have 4000 known toxins and one drop of pure nicotinic acid can kill a man. According to the CDC, tobacco kills more than 440,000 people each year in the United States . Emphysema, lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, shortness of breath, chronic cough, an increased frequency of upper respiratory conditions are common illnesses associated with smoking.

Many individuals decide to quit because of the expense of cigarettes, the constant smell, lack of taste, and the impact on aesthetics - such as yellow teeth, wrinkles, and premature aging. Despite the overwhelming evidence that cigarettes kill, we still have movie stars and models smoking onscreen and off screen, giving us the hidden message that it's cool to smoke.

Finally, many people use smoking as a habit to cope with stress. Because nicotine works on nicotinic receptors, which are part of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, nicotine does have the ability to calm us down while keeping us alert. Because of the high level of stress in today's society, individuals can never find just the right time to quit.

BREAKING THE HABIT
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, bodywork, behavioral, and lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances in the body.

Specifically, you will be seeing your acupuncturist over the course of several months for weekly treatments, with auricular treatments left in for the rest of the week. Herbal and nutritional supplements will focus on the cravings, the irritability, and the restlessness that people commonly complain about when they quit. Neurotransmiter support is key (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and GABA). Later, the focus may shift to detoxification, with mild chelation therapy used to address heavy metal build up in the body.

You may find acupuncture working to balance other issues as well as nicotine addiction such as sleep, digestion, hormone balance, and pain in the body – so much so that you may choose to continue benefiting from acupuncture for the rest of your life.

NOTE: The improper use of Chinese Herbs can be dangerous. Please consult with a licensed acupuncturist and herbologist before taking any herbal products.

TREATMENT
The length and frequency of treatments needed will vary. An initial visit may take up to an hour and a half, and typical follow up treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Many times, symptoms are improved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments to improve completely.

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, depending on your progress.

You may be asked to get the following testing at the beginning of and/or at the end of treatment to measure progress:

+ Blood pressure

+ Cholesterol levels

+ Thyroid levels

+ Neurotransmitter levels

+ Heavy metal levels

+ Cancer screenings including chest X ray, colonoscopy, and breast screenings

You may decide with your acupuncturist that you would like to layer in additional therapies besides acupuncture and TCM including:

+ Colon hydrotherapy for detoxification

+ B vitamin injections (which aid in energy and relief from depression and cravings)

+ Massage therapy

+ Cognitive therapy

+ Naturopathic medicine

Acupuncture is not a magic cure in the treatment of any addiction, including smoking. Acupuncture, however, is effective in making it easier to quit and remain smoke-free if you are highly motivated and ready to quit. Acupuncture can give you the tools to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life.