Every year, many people in Scarborough decide to quit smoking. This marks the beginning of a challenging journey since battling nicotine addiction is tough. Smoking habits intertwined with daily activities, like having coffee or a beer, make breaking the habit even harder.
Most smokers attempt to quit multiple times before succeeding, often resorting to conventional methods like nicotine replacement therapy or exploring alternatives like acupuncture in Scarborough for support.
Quitting smoking can be challenging for many individuals due to a combination of physical, psychological, and social factors. In Canada, approximately eight percent of the population, which translates to around 2.5 million individuals, reported smoking daily.
Dr. Neil Benowitz, a nicotine researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, said, “From a scientific standpoint, nicotine is just as hard, or harder, to quit than heroin but people don’t recognize that.”
He further noted that nicotine acts as a stimulant, aiding concentration. This explains why individuals struggle to focus when trying to quit smoking.
Benowitz explained that all addictive substances, like nicotine, trigger dopamine release, making them enjoyable. When you quit smoking, your dopamine levels drop, leading to feelings of unease such as anxiety or sadness.
Other nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine known to relieve pain, treat various health conditions, and improve general health.
But did you know that acupuncture can support people who want to quit smoking the natural way?
How does it work?
Many people do not realize that acupuncture is also effective in stress management and smoking cessation. Acupuncture uses thin needles on the body to help the body heal itself. It can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking. This makes quitting easier. It also helps you relax and lowers stress, which often makes people want to smoke.
Naturopathic acupuncture sessions in Scarborough aid individuals to stop smoking. The acupuncturist inserts specialized small needles in certain points on your body, such as your ear, wrist, and ankle. These acupoints help your body heal itself and lessen your desire for nicotine. The number of sessions you need to stop smoking is different for each person, depending on the level of nicotine addiction.
In a recent study, “Alternative Smoking Cessation Aids: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” researchers looked at 14 studies to determine which alternative methods helped people stop smoking. They studied 823 people who tried acupuncture. The researchers found that both acupuncture and hypnotherapy might help people quit smoking. While they aren’t completely sure if acupuncture is the best way to quit smoking, more research suggests that it does help many people. Acupuncture works for quitting smoking in many ways. It stops anxiety, reduces cravings, makes you less irritable and restless, helps you feel more relaxed, and detoxifies your body.
Here are some facts about using acupuncture to stop smoking:
There’s an acupoint called ‘Tim Mee’ that’s meant to help quit smoking. It’s found just above your wrist crease on your inner arm. It helps you stop the habit by altering how cigarettes taste. While Tim Mee is a powerful acupoint, acupuncturists need to use it with other acupoints to reduce cravings and rebalance and heal your body.
Cigarette cravings are just one part of addiction. Quitting is tough, especially if smoking helps you deal with emotions or is part of your routine. It’s normal to struggle. Get support from family, friends, and groups. Stay active and find new habits. Quitting needs support—physically, emotionally, and socially.
Massaging your ears can help deal with cravings at home. This releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. It also stimulates special points linked to acupuncture that help balance your body’s energy. There are various ear massage methods you can try. You can use your thumbs to massage the widest upper part of your ears in circles. Or massage the smaller inner parts and the front of your ear where it connects to your head. Also, gently pull and massage your earlobes in circular motions.
In Scarborough, there is a range of acupuncture services available to support individuals in their journey to quit smoking. These services are complemented by additional resources and support systems tailored to the unique needs of those looking to overcome nicotine addiction.
Additionally, community centres and support groups in Scarborough provide a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive encouragement throughout their quitting journey.
Here are some additional practical tips for incorporating acupuncture into your smoking cessation plan:
Before starting acupuncture treatment, set clear and achievable goals for your smoking cessation journey. Whether it’s reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day or quitting cold turkey, having a clear objective can help motivate you throughout the process.
Be open and honest with your acupuncturist about your smoking habits, including the number of cigarettes smoked per day and any challenges you may be facing. This will allow them to tailor the treatment plan to suit your specific needs and provide personalized support.
Use acupuncture sessions as an opportunity to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Focus on your breathing and visualize yourself as a non-smoker, free from cravings and addiction. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to resist the urge to smoke.
Drinking plenty of water before and after acupuncture sessions can help flush out toxins from your body and support the detoxification process. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated and support your overall health and well-being.
Quitting smoking can be challenging, but having a strong support system in place can make all the difference. Reach out to friends, family members, or support groups in Scarborough for encouragement and accountability throughout your quitting journey.
Celebrate your progress and milestones along the way, whether it’s going a day without smoking or completing a certain number of acupuncture sessions. Reward yourself with small treats or activities that bring you joy, and use these achievements as motivation to keep moving forward.
By following these additional tips and staying committed to your acupuncture treatment plan, you can increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking and enjoying a healthier, smoke-free life.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards quitting smoking with acupuncture in Scarborough, contact PARC of Ontario today to schedule your initial consultation and for additional support and guidance on your journey to better health. Call us at (905) 579-9938.
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