Stop Smoking with Acupuncture
Among current U.S. adult smokers, 70% report that
they want to quit smoking and millions try to quit every year. If you have attempted
to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. Nicotine is a powerful
addiction. In fact, research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as
heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.
It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit two or three times,
or more, before finally kicking the habit. When conventional methods to
quit smoking have failed, smokers often look outside mainstream approaches
and turn to alternative medicine.
Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing
number of converts. In fact, acupuncture is often a court mandated
treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to reduce cravings and
alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty
concentrating.
A Formidable Addiction
More than 50 million Americans smoke. The numbers are even higher in other
parts of the globe, with worldwide statistics showing that one out of three
people over the age of 18 are smokers.
The reasons to quit smoking are endless. Cigarettes have 4,000 chemicals,
including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other
toxins. These include nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, as well as
formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT. According to the
CDC, tobacco is the cause of 443,000 premature deaths each year, and is
associated with emphysema, lung cancer, high blood pressure, shortness of
breath, chronic cough and an increase in frequency of colds and flu.
Many people want to quit because of the enormous expense of a cigarette
habit or are just plain tired of being dependant on a substance. There is
also considerable social pressure not to smoke. Most smokers can recall a
dirty look or rude comment from someone that was nearby when they lit up.
How Does Acupuncture Help Break the Cigarette Habit?
Acupuncture is successful with smoking cessation and has turned a growing
number of cigarette smokers into permanent ex-smokers. Treatments take all
of your symptoms into account and aim at balancing the energy within the
body to optimize health.
The acupuncture treatments focus on jitters, cravings, irritability and
restlessness; all symptoms that people commonly complain about when they
quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.
In one study conducted at the University of Oslo, Norway, acupuncture was
found to significantly reduce the desire to smoke up to five years after
the initial treatment. Subjects of the study also reported that cigarettes
tasted worse than before treatment and that the treatments had effectively
reduced their taste for tobacco.
The acupuncture needles used are hair-thin. They are superficially inserted
into various points in the ears and body to assist with smoking cessation.
In between treatments, small pellets are often taped to the acupuncture
points on the ear. When a cigarette craving hits, gently pressing on the
pellets stimulates the acupuncture points to calm the mind and eliminate
the craving.
Acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure in the treatment of any
addiction, including smoking. But, acupuncture is effective in making it
easier to quit and remain smoke-free for good.
If you are ready to quit, call for a consultation to see how acupuncture
can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life!
Source: Preventive Medicine. Volume 33, Issue 5, November 2001,
Pages 364-372
Multivitamins, Folate, and Green Vegetables
May Halt Gene Modification in Smokers
Green vegetables, multivitamins, and folate may protect
current and former smokers against lung cancer, according to a study that
appeared in the January 15 issue of Cancer Research. This study,
supported by the National Cancer Institute, adds to the growing accumulation
of research connecting high folate intake to decreased cancer rates.
In the study, researchers examined sputum samples of 1101 current and
former smokers from the Lovelace Smokers Cohort in New Mexico. Detailed
study of the cells and comparison of those cells with the Harvard Food
Frequency profiles of the smokers’ dietary intake of leafy green
vegetables, multivitamins and folate revealed that the dietary substances
could be used to predict the prevalence of cellular gene methylation - a chemical
modification used by the cell to control gene expression. High methylation
is a potential marker for the early detection of lung cancer.
The study also investigated the associations between 21 dietary variables
and methylation. Both higher intake of leafy green vegetables and folate
were significantly associated with a reduced probability of high
methylation.
Source: Cancer Research 70, 568, January 15, 2010
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In This Issue
·
Stop
Smoking with Acupuncture
·
Multivitamins,
Folate, and Green Vegetables May Halt Gene Modification in Smokers
·
A Stop
Smoking Acupuncture Point?
·
Eight Tips
to Quit Smoking
A Stop Smoking Acupuncture Point?
There is an acupuncture point located on the wrist that
is used exclusively for smoking cessation. The acupuncture point is used to
alter the way cigarettes taste.
The acupuncture point is called, Tim Mee. It is located
approximately one fingers breadth above the transverse crease of the wrist
on the inside of the arm.
Tim Mee is often used in conjunction with another acupuncture point,
Lung 7 that is located right above Tim Mee. Lung 7 is
one of the most powerful of the lung meridian points. It is a popular
acupuncture point for stopping a persistent cough and relieving a sore
throat. Lung 7 is often used to treat conditions related to the head
and neck. It is also used to improve circulation in the brain and stimulate
memory.
Eight Tips to Quit Smoking
1. Exercise more. Getting moving is a great way to
remind yourself why you shouldn't smoke. Exercise can reduce your stress
and help you relax far better than cigarettes.
2. Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to neutralize and clear
the blood of nicotinic acid and to fortify blood sugar.
3. Carrots, Carrot juice, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits
promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings.
4. Avoid junk food, sugar and coffee. They can upset blood sugar levels and
increase blood acidity which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms.
5. Lobelia Tea or Green Tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to
keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings.
Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a
snake bite.
5. Drink water. Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water
frequently throughout the day.
6. Practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm.
8. Come in for your acupuncture treatment.
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