With the harmful consequences smoking can do to the body and to other non smokers, this habit needs to be dropped. However, quitting smoking is easier said than done and even for former drug addicts who were also cigarette smokers, quitting cigarette smoking is much harder to do than quitting drugs. One method for quitting used by some people is acupuncture. The best acupuncture Edina technique acupuncturists use for helping their patients stop smoking is called ear or auricular acupuncture. Sometimes called Auriculomedicine, auricular acupuncture is a practice that actually originated of all places in France – Lyon, France to be exact. It is a medical procedure that applies the synergy of western medical science and the philosophies of traditional Chinese acupuncture.
This practice entails the insertion of one-use, disposable and sterile hair thin non hollow acupuncture needles onto the surface of the outer ear. Sometimes, a low beam laser is used to enhance the therapy’s effect. Normally around 2 to 5 needles are applied to each ear and some needles are also applied to other parts of the body. The treatment is relatively painless and leaves the patient in a very relaxed and tranquil state.
Auricular acupuncture works this way. When the auricle is energized by needles or by laser, the body then releases endorphins which are the body’s own feel-good chemicals and natural painkillers. Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and other glands located in the central nervous system. Auricular acupuncture has been directly linked to the increase of production of endorphins in the aforementioned areas giving the person an incredible weapon to battle his nicotine addiction.
When the person has cigarette smoking addiction, this habit actually likewise causes the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. This is why it is difficult for the smoker to overcome his smoking addiction. Probably if cigarette smoking does not cause discomfort and health conditions to the smoker and to others there is no reason to quit this habit. Sadly, this is not the case.
When the person starts to stop smoking, his endorphin levels will drop. This drop causes the person to seek the source of his endorphin high which is the cigarette smoking. Therefore, the endorphin level should be maintained and acupuncture helps accomplish this. Acupuncture does not actually increase the endorphin level; it just stabilizes the rate of release. This factor is important in that it can help facilitate the withdrawal phase of the smoker and help with the treatment of his nicotine addiction. Depending on the intensity of the craving, the therapy may last for a few weeks to as long as or even longer than six months. Some people actually combine hypnotherapy with acupuncture to give them a better chance to permanently overcome this addiction.