Stop Smoking with Acupuncture
Stopping smoking is no easy task for those addicted to the habit, but there are overwhelming health reasons to stop. The negative effects of smoking are not immediately apparent, but the long term effects are often deadly. Smoking increases the chances of having a stoke or heart attack, getting lung cancer and suffering from chronic respiratory disorders. Children living in smoking households are more likely to develop asthma.
A person who quits smoking for even 1 day begins to reap health benefits: within 2 hours nicotine starts to leave the system; after 6 hours the heart rate and blood pressure start to decrease; in 12 hours the body is free of carbon monoxide; and after about 2 days the body is almost completely nicotine free.
The most difficult aspect of kicking the smoking habit is the withdrawl process. Acupuncture makes this process much easier, as it helps decrease tobacco cravings and reduces the general symptoms of withdrawl. It does this by stimulating the body to release endorphins - natural hormone like chemicals that promote physical relaxation, reduce sensitivity to pain, and have an overall calming and stress reducing effect.
The Stop Smoking treatment consists of 6 bi-weekly treatments for 3 weeks, weekly treatments for the next 2 to 6 weeks, then monthly maintenance treatments for 2 to 6 months, or as needed.
Weight gain is less of a problem when acupuncture is used because the acupuncture points that reduce the craving for tobacco also help control the food cravings.
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