Quitting smoking can be tough. Withdrawal cravings, mood swings, and anxiety make it a true challenge for many people. At Resilient Health Acupuncture, we explore how acupuncture can support your journey away from tobacco by targeting both physical and emotional triggers.
So, can acupuncture help me stop smoking? Let’s take a look.
How Acupuncture Supports Smoking Cessation
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective tool to break one’s smoking habit. Here’s how it helps.
- Easing Withdrawal Symptoms: Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that help reduce stress, irritability, and cravings commonly experienced during withdrawal.
- Reducing Cravings: Auricular (ear) acupuncture is believed to specifically dampen nicotine cravings. In a sizable study, auricular acupuncture combined with nicotine patches achieved higher cessation rates than patches by themselves.
- Supporting Habit Change: While results tend to be mixed when used in isolation, acupuncture paired with counseling, behavioral support, and/or nicotine replacement has enhanced long-term quit rates in some patients.
- Safe and Well-Tolerated: Clinical trials also point to acupuncture treatments as a relatively low-risk, non-pharmaceutical option when it comes to quitting smoking, among other uses.
Integrating Acupuncture with Your Quit Plan
To make the most of acupuncture’s benefits with smoking cessation, consider the following:
- Pair with Mainstream Methods: A holistic strategy is believed to boost quit success. Try integrating acupuncture treatments with regular counseling, nicotine patches, gum, and/or prescribed medications.
- Schedule Regular Sessions: Begin with 1–3 acupuncture visits per week during your initial quitting phase. Reassess and adjust frequency as you make steady progress.
- Choose the Right Practitioner: Only select a licensed and board certified acupuncturist experienced in smoking cessation protocols, and particularly auricular techniques.
- Maintain a Strong Support Network: Engage in behavioral support, mindfulness, or peer groups to reinforce acupuncture’s effects and provide the emotional resilience needed for long-term results.
So, can acupuncture help me stop smoking? It sure can, particularly when used as an adjunct to other proven methods. By easing withdrawal, reducing cravings, and calming stress, acupuncture can reinforce your quit attempt and support a smoke-free future.
Are you ready to quit? Are you seeking an integrative solution? The Resilient Health Acupuncture team is ready to help you kick the habit, starting today. Schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward lasting change.