M.Cristina Kell, L.Ac., LMT

Quit Smoking

You can do it ! Acupuncture can help! There is plenty of incentive to quit, but it isn’t necessarily easy. The good news is that acupuncture has helped millions of people kick the habit. The stress, anxiety, and depression associated with quitting can be overwhelming, fortunately, acupuncture treatment is quite successful at calming and relaxing the mind, reducing anxiety, alleviating depressive feelings, reducing food & nicotine cravings, stimulating the body's repair and healing response,  restoring the body to a healthy state of balance and well being.

Quit Smoking program consists of 6 sessions scheduled in the first 2-3 weeks followed by monthly treatments for four to six months if needed.
Everyone responds differently, some stay smoke-free with just 6 sessions.
Sessions are 30-45 minutes long.  

Helpful Tips to Guide You through Smoke Cessation 

*Set a morning appointment when possible.

*Refrain from smoking upon wakening, or at least five hours before your first acupuncture session. Success is much higher this way.

*Exercise more. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax .

*Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to neutralize and clear the blood of nicotinic acid and to fortify blood sugar. Carrots, carrot juice, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings. 

*Avoid junk food, sugar and coffee. They can upset blood sugar levels and increase blood acidity which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms. 

*Lobelia Tea or Green Tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a snake bite. 

*Drink water. Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day. 

*Practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm. 

*Support person - ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to provide encouragement when needed. 

*Affirmation - a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. 

*Set Boundaries - avoid spending time with other smokers so that you will be less tempted to smoke and/or set up contracts with other smokers to refrain from smoking in your presence. 

*Plan what you will do during a craving - cravings feel like they will last forever, but actually fade in about 2 minutes.  Perhaps during a craving you can, walk to another place, breath deeply, say your affirmation, call your support person.