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Acupuncture and Hypnosis: New Study to Quit Smoking Shows Promise

Acupuncture and Hypnosis: New Study to Quit Smoking Shows PromiseA new study reported by the Huffington Post (via Reuters) shows how a combination of acupuncture and hypnosis may be the one-two punch some people need to quit smoking.

The statistics of how smoking cigarettes can deteriorate your health, your quality of life and eventually kill you are enormous. There is no need to list numbers, dangers or any other threats having to do with ingesting tobacco smoke because if you do not know how bad it is for you by now, then you have been oblivious to one of the most prominent killers of human beings in all of history.

The tobacco industry has obtained so much financial power through the addiction of nicotine that even if millions were to quite tomorrow, millions would begin the next day due to higher addictive formulas, relentless ad campaigns as well as lack of foreign regulation (which accounts for the massive rise in overseas smokers that make up for any financial loss in the U.S., tenfold).

Due to the deeply embedded chemical addiction of nicotine, some theorize that attempting to quit smoking is more difficult than kicking heroine. Therefore, in most cases, assistance is essential. Yet many choices include weaning off tobacco with nicotine patches or nicotine gum (which can become addicting in and of themselves) as well as various synthetic, medical prescriptions with a variety of possible side effects.

Currently, more and more people are looking elsewhere for health answers beyond the many conventional, medical approaches out there. With the availability of reputable, research based information on the web or otherwise, there is more momentum toward traditional, alternative, drug-free remedies such as acupuncture and naturopathic medicine than ever before. In fact, according to the research group Global Industry Analysts, “Alternative medicine disciplines such as acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, ayurveda, and Chinese medicine are being practiced more widely in the western world. Market growth is driven by the world’s aging population, increased general awareness surrounding health issues and a lower rate of side effects compared with conventional medicines.”

The new acupuncture and hypnosis study released in May, 2012 was a combination of 14 international trial reports that were reviewed, researched and compared showing significant results across the board. The findings were published in the American Journal of Medicine with lead researcher Mehdi Tahiri of McGill University (Montreal, Canada) commenting on how standard approaches such as nicotine-replacement therapy, medications and behavioral counseling are not for everyone, “But some people are not interested in medication. Then I think we should definitely recommend (acupuncture and hypnosis) as choices.”

The research showed a variety of results. Albeit, as in any research especially one tackling such a worldwide financially and politically driven commodity, there is always more research recommended. However, this study covered a vast range of subjects both gender as well as culturally based. Here are a few key findings:

  • “Smokers subjected to acupuncture were more than three times as likely to be tobacco-free six months to a year later.”
  • “Across four trials of hypnosis, smokers had a higher success rate with the therapy compared to people who had minimal help.”
  • “A 2008 study that ran a few sessions of laser acupuncture on 258 smokers found that 55 percent who’d received the treatment quit the habit in six months, compared with four percent who were not given the treatment.”
  • In two studies, comparatively, “20 to 45 percent of hypnosis patients were smoke-free six months to a year later.”

Acupuncture’s Draw
The prior stigma some mainstream people have related to acupuncture regarding painful needles has been significantly lifted. More folks are discovering its deep, effective and sometimes even meditative health benefits when applying the proper protocol of two to three times per week for four to six weeks and a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly maintenance thereafter. In addition, many do not realize the valid, over four thousand year old study and application of this modality. Some even believe that acupuncture, or a form of it, was discovered when Chinese soldiers returned from battle with arrow wounds only to discover that prior ailments were alleviated according to the specific point that was wounded. Nowadays, Classical Chinese medicine is still being applied in its originally intended form which includes the precise manipulation of acupuncture points that correlate to a wide variety of physical as well as mental disorders including addictions such as tobacco.

Clinical Hypnosis
Another misnomer people have when it comes to the word ‘hypnosis’ is that it is associated with charlatans and magic. On the contrary, hypnotism has been regarded as a valid, effective form of healing when applied by a trained, capable, clinical hypnotist. In a 2005 Mayo Clinic Proceedings report the following conclusion by Dr. James H. Stewart was part of a detailed study review of hypnosis, used as a medical application:

“The acceptance of hypnosis as a mode of treatment in medicine is increasing as a result of ‘careful, methodical, empirical work of many research pioneers.’ 35 Many important trials reviewed here have helped to establish the role of hypnosis in contemporary medicine. These trials have established the utility and efficacy of hypnosis for several medical conditions, either alone or as part of the treatment regimen. Nonetheless, skepticism may prevail and hypnosis may remain underused because of the tendency to doubt or fear the unknown. According to a recent study [Thomson L. ‘A project to change the attitudes, beliefs and practices of health professionals concerning hypnosis.’ Am J Clin Hypn. 2003; 46:3 1-44.], health care providers changed their attitudes significantly and positively when presented with information about the use of hypnosis in medicine.144 Through greater awareness and acceptance of hypnosis, additional training and research can be inspired in pursuit of improved techniques and new areas of potential benefit.”

By incorporating acupuncture and clinical hypnosis in conjunction with detoxification, botanical medicine, homeopathy and nutraceutical supplementation, the body as well as the mind, will be able to embrace an easier withdrawal and, in many cases, continued lifetime abstinence.

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you.  In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health.  To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or click here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of In-Network Insurance Companies for Acupuncture that we participate with as well as insurance companies that commonly have Out-of-Network benefits. Please call 914.337.2980 or securely email info@intmedsolutions.com to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.