Give Up Smoking - Acupuncture can effectively
help with withdrawal symptoms but I cannot help with the habitual aspect of
smoking. You have to want to give up smoking and you have to manage the habitual
aspect of smoking yourself. For example, if you find that you crave a cigarette
when you go to the pub then consider not going to the pub for a period. If you
crave a cigarette immediately after eating a meal then think of something else
which will help distract you from this craving.
Treatment is based on a combination of ear acupuncture points that are used
extensively in centers for drug addition. Nicotine is a drug and the principle
of alleviating withdrawal symptoms is the same, whether it is heroine, cocaine,
alcohol or nicotine. The combination of ear acupuncture points is called the 'NADA'
protocol. These are chosen because they influence the sympathetic nervous
system, calm the mind and help the body detoxify.
If particular problems arise during treatment then these will be addressed,
for example, excessive hunger, mood swings/ irritability or difficulties
sleeping. Thus, even though a particular protocol is used, treatment will always
be individualised.
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