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Question: Acupuncture for quitting smoking?

(Posted by: momfirst on 2010-02-06 08:12:22)

Does acupuncture work for quitting smoking? Anyone have any experience with this?

Posted by: SkepDoc 3.0 on 2010-02-06, 08:53:07

Acupuncture is not very effective for smoking cessation, probably in the range of about 20-25%. This is similar to rates attributable to hypnosis or various 12 step approaches. Smoking can be a very difficult habit to break, both from the physical withdrawal of nicotine addiction, as well as all the little rituals and behaviours that go along with it. The key to success with ANY smoking cessation attempt is motivation. Acupuncture purports to interefere in a positive way with the putative life energy that supposedly flows through all of us and is accessible through very specific points. Numerous studies have failed to demonstrate the existence of a life force. Numerous studies have shown that there are no specific points...that it makes no difference where needles are placed, how deeplly they are placed or even if there are needles at all. Acupuncture works entirely through the placebo response...there is no unique physiological or metaphysical effect.

Posted by: margaret m on 2010-02-06, 08:48:08

I have done it twice. The first time was with an acupuncturist who was also an MD and made his own herbal preparations. The second was with one I picked out of the phone book because I was new to town. The first was incredibly helpful and I stayed quit for 5 months, but didn't go to a scheduled follow up appointment because I moved. The second wasn't as helpful. I made it three weeks before I was smoking again. He didn't use as many pressure points or as many types of herbs. A good acupuncturist makes it a whole lot easier to quit, but I have yet to find a silver bullet cure that works like magic. I have quit a few times, using a few different methods, the longest being for 1 1/ 2 years. I think that the more times you try the better you get at quitting and that really making up your mind that quitting is a priority is still necessary no matter what method you use to make it easier. Acupuncture made it doable. It didn't make cigarettes magically disappear. I would recommend researching your local acupuncturists and comparing their training and what herbal formulas they offer. There are different styles of acupuncture and there are different skill levels of practitioners. I think it also helps to combine methods. Every little bit helps.

Posted by: Mantra on 2010-02-06, 14:45:10

My experience was a complete loss of desire to smoke after acupuncture. The physical craving vanished as if by magic. This is after trying to give up unsuccessfully for many years. I still had the behavioural withdrawal problems though, e.g. what to do with my hands. I haven't smoked in over a year. I think it will depend on the skill of the acupunturist.