Acupuncture and Smoking Cessation

Acupuncture to Stop Smoking

6 Facts to Know When Using Acupuncture to Quit Smoking

Smoking is a strong, complicated addiction. Quitting smoking is no small task and you will need lots of support to be successful. You need the best tools to help with the physical and emotional symptoms, and acupuncture is a great resource to help you succeed.

Here are the 6 things you should know about using acupuncture to quit smoking.

1. Acupuncture is very effective to help stop smoking.

Acupuncture has been used to help combat addiction and curb cigarette cravings for a long time. Many people have had success and now research is supporting these claims.

In a recent study, “Alternative Smoking Cessation Aids: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” researchers gathered data from 14 different studies to see which alternative techniques helped patients stop smoking. The acupuncture studies examined 823 different patients. The researchers concluded that both acupuncture and hypnotherapy may help patients quit smoking. The scientific world is far from definitively recommending acupuncture for smoking cessation, but more and more research shows that it does help many people.

Acupuncture helps with smoking addiction in many ways. It stops jitters, curbs cravings, lessens irritability and restlessness, increases relaxation and helps detoxify the body. It can also restore balance in your constitution and jump-start the healing process.

2. There is a “stop smoking” acupuncture point.

There is a point is called “Tim Mee,” which is used specifically to stop smoking. It’s located one finger’s width above your wrist crease, on the inside of your arm. It is used solely to help people stop smoking and it does this by altering the way cigarettes taste.

Will this point be enough? Of course not. Smoking is a complicated addiction. Tim Mee is a powerful acupuncture point, but it must be used in conjunction with other points to combat cravings, re-balance your body and heal.

3. Acupuncture can reduce cravings, but it can’t change habits.

Physical cravings are only one aspect of cigarette addiction. Many times, the habit of smoking is harder to stop than the physical addiction.

If smoking helps you cope during difficult emotional situations, not smoking can make you feel naked and vulnerable. If smoking is part of a daily ritual, not smoking can make your day feel “off.” All of this is normal and challenging.

I recommend that people use all the support systems they have available. Get help from family and friends. Join a support group. Exercise. Find new smoke-free activities.

Stopping a smoking addiction requires support—physically, emotionally and socially.

4. There are simple acupressure techniques to cope with cravings.

Ear massage is one way you can cope with cravings at home. It releases endorphins and these chemicals are natural painkillers. It also stimulates acupuncture points which help balance Qi.

There are many ear massage techniques. You can place your thumbs in the widest upper part of your ears and massage in circular motions. You can massage the small inner crevices and the front of your ear where it attaches to your head. And you can massage your earlobes, with gentle pulls and circular motions.

To be even more effective, I recommend that you call me to learn the specific points that are best for you and your body. In some cases, I can place a small bead on the point and hold it in place with tape. When you feel a craving, you just press on the bead for relief.

5. Herbs can help with cravings and repairing damage

There are many herbs which help with cravings, irritability, detoxification and tissue repair. Make an appointment with me and I can discuss which ones would be best for you.

6. The Third Thursday in November is the Great American Smokeout.

The American Cancer Society has designated the third Thursday of November (November 20, 2014) as the Great American Smokeout. This is a day to quit smoking—for good. If you have “thought” about quitting, the Great American Smokeout is a great day to actually do it.

I am available to help you quit. Call me before the Smokeout and we’ll make a “Quit Smoking” treatment plan so you can quit with as little discomfort as possible.

Kathy E Thomas

Lake  Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726

352-323-0795

Chew on This...plus a wonderful sweet potato recipe!

The Spleen and the Stomach are associated with the "Earth" element. Earth provides support and nourishment for all life. Likewise, these active organs provide the body with nourishment. Food is ingested, digested, transformed, transported, and assimilated into the physical body, creating bone, muscle, blood, and energy. Quite literally we are what we eat.

The health of these organs is critical to our feeling well. It is said that in the "Five Element Theory, the Spleen is located at our center; when the Spleen is sick, the entire body is fundamentally sick."

Today, many people suffer from digestive troubles. Just head down to the local drugstore, and note the man products for sale to suppress various symptoms of poor digestive health. The only problem is that they DON'T get at the root cause of the problems. They just seem to sedate ill feelings and sensations.

In ancient times, and still today, it is understood that those who follow the laws of nature and a proper diet can be free from disease, and that their spirit of life will not be easily exhausted.

Over time, a poor diet coupled with irregular eating habits, over-concentration, worry, excessive study, or sitting too long can injure our Spleen and Stomach. Adopting a few new eating habits may allow your digestion to function better. In turn, the health of your entire being may improve. Caring for your health naturally with acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help get to the root causes of digestive troubles.

How is Your Spleen Doing?

Here are a few symptoms that appear when a Spleen/Stomach disharmony is present. If you are experiencing a few of these, you may want to schedule an acupuncture appointment:

• abdominal distension, bloating, aches or pain
• lack of appetite
• flatulence after meals or with stress
• watery, loose stools or diarrhea
• blood or excessive mucus in stools
• bruising easily
• nausea or vomiting
• sallow complexion or pale lips
• pale and swollen tongue
• weakness and heaviness in the arms, legs, or body in general
• fatigue, lethargy, or low energy
• dizziness or history of anemia
• susceptibility to colds and flu
• cold hands and feet

Your Spleen According to Western Medicine 

• stores, filters, and cleans the blood
• eliminates and destroys worn-out red blood cells and recycles them into irin for hemoglobin and bile production
• supports the immune system by producing lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells that create antibodies to fight infection

Your Spleen According to Eastern Medicine 

• rules the transformation and transportation of food and fluids
• governs blood by keeping it contained in the vessels
• transports energy and blood to your muscles
• raises the body's energy (Qi) by producing a "lifting" effect along the midline of the body, keeping the internal organs in place so that they don't sag or prolapse
• governs and influences our capacity for thinking

Guidelines to Aid Digestive Health 

1. Don't overeat, which prevents proper digestion.
2. Avoid eating late at night. 
3. Eat a diet that reflects individual body needs. We all have different bodies and lifestyles that require individual nourishment needs.
4. Don't eat while standing or on the run.
5. Don't eat when you are emotionally upset.
6. Chew, chew, chew. Digestion begins in the mouth with saliva. The more chewing that takes place, the easier your body breaks down food and assimilates it.
7. Don't drink too many liquids with your meal, as it dilutes digestive enzymes.
8. In general, eat a moderate amount of sweets. Too much impairs the function of the Spleen.
9. Eat whole foods.

Please enjoy this great seasonal recipe for Glazed Spicy Sweet Potatoes (4 servings):

4 Tbsp. melted organic butter 

4 Tbsp. raw organic honey

juice of 1 lime

2 tsp. ground allspice

8 drops cinnamon bark essential oil (food grade)

5 drops ginger essential oil (food grade)

2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices

Himalayan or Celtic salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

fresh thyme sprigs

1. preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. coat large baking dish or roasting pan with coconut oil
3. in a large bowl, stir butter, honey, lime juice, allspice, and cinnamon and ginger oils together until well blended
4. add sweet potato slices and toss to coat evenly before placing on baking pan in a single layer
5. arrange the slices in a single layer in coated pan
6. season with salt and pepper
7. bake for 10 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized
8. garnish with fresh thyme

As always, individual needs do vary, and this recipe may not be suited for your constitution at the moment.

Feel free to schedule a NO COST consultation with me to determine your needs and formulate a treatment plan for you.

Kathy E Thomas

Lake Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726

352-323-0795