Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture is very effective when used as preventive healthcare

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  • What can acupuncture do to assist in quitting smoking?

Acupuncture quite smokingWith each inhalation of a cigarette, you breath in over 4,000 chemicals, including but certainly not limited to arsenic, ammonia, acetone, ammonium bromide, benzene, carbon monoxide, cadmium, cyanide, DDT, formaldehyde, lead, mercury, nickel, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen sulfide, in addition to at least 50 cancer-causing agents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoking causes death: nearly 443,000 deaths per year (1 in 5 deaths) to be exact. This is more than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined.

Smoking increases the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, infertility, premature delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Cigarettes cause cancer: acute myeloid leukemia, bladder, cervical, esophageal, kidney, larynx, lung, oral (mouth), and stomach cancers.

Cigarette smoking is associated with lower bone density in postmenopausal women, and increases the risk of hip fractures in women.

Despite all the facts regarding the ill effects of smoking, people continue to smoke because of the addictive nature of nicotine, the primary chemical in tobacco. Within 10 to 20 seconds of inhaling on a cigarette, nicotine will reach your brain, causing a huge surge of dopamine to be released. Dopamine is one of several “feel good” chemicals your brain produces to make you feel pleasure. Nicotine is such a potent drug that one drop of pure nicotine can cause you to go into respiratory failure (stop breathing), paralysis and death.

Acupuncture quite smoking 2

What can acupuncture do to assist in quitting smoking?

Acupuncturists are trained to address addictions, especially nicotine addiction, following the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We assess the addiction from several perspectives, inclusive of the physical, mental and emotional addiction. There are many acupuncturists who utilize a technique where fine needles are inserted into a set of five acupuncture points on the ear (auricular acupuncture). You may even be sent home with small beads placed on the ear using adhesive tape, that when stimulated, can continue to help curb withdrawal symptoms (an application of auricular acupressure). In general, expect frequency of visits to be several times per week for the first week or two (recommendations vary per acupuncturist and patient’s condition). Our goal in the treatment plan is to support patients through the acute phase of withdrawal, improving your success at kicking the nicotine habit. Commonly, patients experience a decrease in cravings, changes in sensory perception as the taste and smell of cigarettes becomes intolerable, and an increased state of calm and relaxation. If you have ever attempted to quit, you know there are multiple withdrawal symptoms that one can experience, including: insomnia, fatigue, feeling jittering, cough, tightness in the chest, dry mouth, constipation, irritability, depression, anxiousness and lack of concentration. As an acupuncturist, I routinely address these issues independently, and improvements in such symptoms are commonly experienced as side benefits by patients. In the scientific community, there have been insightful findings on acupuncture’s complex mechanism of action, offering explanation of why this ancient treatment works. Research supports acupuncture’s role in influencing the various aspects of the nervous system, thereby modulating things like your gastrointestinal system, heart rate, stress response and mood.
smoking karamouzi

If a patient is not ready to throw away the cigarettes in their pocket, that tells me they’re not mentally ready to quite

Once patients are committed, I start seeing them two or three times per week in the beginning.
Then the visits taper to once a week as withdrawal symptoms fade.
Eventually, visits are discontinued altogether when they are tobacco-free.

Frequently Asked Questions SB articles

  • What illnesses are treated using acupuncture? +

    Both acute and chronic illnesses can be treated with acupuncture. There are hundreds of conditions since acupuncture is balancing the body energy

  • Is Acupuncture Safe? +

    Acupuncture is extremely safe. A medical doctor plus licensed Acupuncturist uses sterilized needles which are properly disposed, in accordance with health regulations.

  • What’s the purpose of acupuncture? +

    The philosophy behind acupuncture is achieving balance throughout your body. The tsi balance.

  • Does Acupuncture Hurt? +

    When a needle is inserted, a slight pinching will be felt. However once the session is underway, many patients feel very relaxed and even fall asleep.

  • How Many Sessions Do I Need? +

    At the time of the initial examination, your Acupuncturist will evaluate your condition and will assess the approximate number of treatments needed. Because everyone responds differently, the number of treatment sessions can vary for each individual

  • How Should I Prepare For My Session? +

    Wear loose clothing to allow access to acupuncture points. Have a light meal or snack shortly before your treatment.

  • Why use acupuncture? +

    People use acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions. Many others choose acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution or because they just feel generally unwell. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages including babies, children and the elderly. It is very effective and can be integrated with conventional medicine.

  • Can Acupuncture Help My Condition? +

    There are literally hundreds of conditions, disorders and diseases that acupuncture can effectively treat. Treatments are tailored for individual case circumstances, which enhances the efficacy of the treatment. The doctor will determine if acupuncture treatment is right for you, based upon your symptoms and unique medical history. Both acute and chronic illnesses can be treated with acupuncture. Because everyone responds differently, the number of treatment sessions can vary for each individual

  • But I’m afraid of needles +

    The most common concern about acupuncture is the fear of the needles. However, the needles used are very thin compared to needles used for injections of medicine. You’ll feel a little pressure as the needle pierces the skin. Once the needle is in the muscle, there should be no pain.

  • How many sessions are needed for acupuncture to be effective? +

    Typically, the longer the patient has the condition, the longer the course of treatment before they experience substantial or lasting results. Acupuncture can be done as often as five times a week, or as little as once a month depending on the case

  • Are There Other Forms Of Treatment Besides Needle Insertion? +

    Yes. While we always like to use Acupuncture, other methods are often combined with acupuncture such as Cupping Therapy , Moxabustion (a heated herbal stick used to warm points), Microcurrent.
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Acupuncture treatment is typically highly individualized
&
points are specific for each individual and his or her condition!!!!