Acupuncture for quitting smoking

Smoking is a tough habit to break, but acupuncture can help.

Acupuncture can’t make you quit. If you have already made the commitment to stop, though, it can help take the edge off withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings. It can also help relax the nervous system.

The first few weeks

The first few weeks after quitting are the hardest, and the most important. Acupuncture can help ease that difficult stretch and support your effort to quit for good.

A Cleveland Clinic article on quitting smoking makes a similar point. It notes that acupuncture, like Chinese herbs and hypnotherapy, is less well known than nicotine patches or gum. Even so, these approaches can offer relief, especially during the active phase of withdrawal, when people are dealing with fatigue, irritability and cravings.

Robert’s approach

Robert practices Toyohari, a Japanese style of acupuncture that uses careful pulse reading, very fine needles and gentle contact. He sees one patient at a time, so each session is quiet and focused on you.

Quitting can stir up stress, restlessness and poor sleep. You may also want to read about stress and relaxation, anxiety and insomnia.