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Stopping smoking!

Do you want to stop smoking? Are you finding it hard to set a date, throw out your cigarettes and to become a non-smoker?
Acupuncture is widely known for helping people to stop smoking. It works by helping to reduce the cravings, reducing the triggers that prompt smoking and helps you to feel more relaxed.

There are three stages to treatment:

First stage: This starts with your first phone call where you will be asked set a date to stop smoking. You will be encouraged to keep a diary, listing when and where you have each cigarette. It is a good idea to cut down your caffeine and alcohol intake durring this time.

Second stage: Your first acupuncture appointment will be on the day you stop smoking. A full health history will be taken along with details about your smoking habits. In the treatment ear acupuncture points are used to reduce the cravings associated with nicotine withdrawal and to help you relax.
Before you go away, small magnets will be fixed to acupuncture points on your ear. These can be pressed to reduce any cravings you get before your next appointment.
There will be two treatments a week for the first two weeks.

Third stage: By now you will have passed through the nicotine withdrawal phase and the acupuncture will help you feel more calm and relaxed. Treatment sessions will be focused on the triggers identified in your smoking diary (feeling tired, feeling distressed etc), so you don’t get tempted to restart. For this phase lasts three to four weeks, a weekly treatment is recomended.

By the end of the third stage you will be a non-smoker and the acupuncture will help you to feel calmer, more relaxed, sleep better and have better energy levels. For this reason you may decide to continue with acupuncture, having a top-up session every four or six weeks.

If your social life involves meeting family or friends in smoky atmospheres or visiting friends or family who are themselves smokers, you will be advised to avoid this type of situation for the first three weeks of treatment.