Acupuncture - Smoking Cessation

The principles behind utilising acupuncture to help quit smoking are relatively simple. In terms of Oriental medicine, Qi (a vital force that animates the body) plays a major role. Tobacco smoke is energetically hot and puts Heat into your body – particularly the lungs. For a brief while, smokers sense a brief period of relaxation; this is due to the heat of the smoke moving any stagnant Qi in the body. The problem is that this relaxation effect is only temporary, and Qi stagnation will usually recur. This need to move the Qi ends up being reinforced leading to the vicious cycle of addiction. In the long term, the Heat damages the Yin of the Lungs which leads to an escalation of imbalance and disharmony in your body.

From this standpoint, smoking causes habituation in several areas:

• Tobacco has an herbal effect
  • It is a cough suppressant
  • It boosts self esteem

• The tars and nicotine in cigarettes are poisons.
  • They must be detoxified daily
  • The liver devotes energy to detoxify

• The brain keeps you oriented in your environment
  • Patterns of stress release are maximized
  • Pleasure centers in your body are focused on “rewarding” behavior

• The autonomic nervous system seeks normalcy
  • Repeated patterns are coded in nervous algorithms
  • Strategic action occurs automatically

Several acupuncture points are used to calm the body and spirit, thus replacing the short-term calming effect of the tobacco smoke. Acupuncture points are also used to clear the lungs and reduce cravings. They also reduce the autonomic nervous action and help to settle the Liver.

Weight Loss

Acupuncture is effective in making it easier to lose and maintain that loss if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle. Acupuncture needles inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or in this case too slow—i.e., the metabolism and the will power.

Points that are important for weight loss treatments are:

Mouth - for the impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot
Stomach - for the person who eats even after they're full or who's constantly nibbling
Hungry - for general appetite control
Lung - for food addicts, and people who love chocolate, sweets
Shenmen - a calming point, for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration, insecurity
Endocrine - for water retention that's responsible for some of the weight gain

Adrenal and Ovary - if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.
Spleen - for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances
Kidney - for water retention, and nervous system and hormonal imbalances
Thyroid - for slow metabolism