SMOKING CESSATION
Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! Acupuncture is an integral part of a smoking cessation plan and can reduce cravings, restore balance, aid the body in detoxification, and help heal damage to the body caused by smoking. In addition to physical addiction, behavioral & social habits make quitting smoking a challenge. When acupuncture is used in combination with anti-smoking counseling it increases the chances of success significantly (better than just acupuncture or just counseling alone). I strongly urge you to call the tobacco quit line (1-800-QUIT NOW ) to get all the support you can while undertaking this endeavor to become smoke free. We are all familiar with the detrimental effects that smoking has on our bodies: sore throat, stained teeth, wrinkles, lung congestion, dry or phlegmy cough, bad breath, loss of taste, headaches, ulcers, eye disease, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, etc. Chinese medicine views tobacco use as not only detrimental to the Lungs and Stomach, but also to the Kidney Jing (or essence) and the Heart and mental functioning. The drying up of Kidney Jing can reduce lifespan and cause deficiency in the immune system as well as all other functions of the body. Heat transferring to the Heart system can cause irritability and mental changes. The good news is that within mere days of quitting smoking the body begins to heal itself and the risk of developing serious disease begins to decline dramatically. It is never too late to quit and even long-term heavy smokers will reduce their risk of developing smoking related diseases within a few months to a few years after quitting. Making a Plan to Become Smoke Free:
|