Ear acupuncture to quit smoking
Auricular acupuncture (acupuncture in the ear) is used to break tobacco dependence and relieve unpleasant symptoms caused by tobacco cravings.
Dr. TruongThi Ngoc Lan - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine said that smokers can successfully quit smoking using traditional medicine methods such as auricular acupuncture, body acupuncture, acupressure massage, health exercises, traditional medicine...
Among them, the ear acupuncture method is often chosen because the needle can be left in for several days to prolong the acupuncture effect.
Auricular acupuncture is a method of affecting the earlobe area on both sides to achieve disease prevention and treatment. The mechanism of action of auricular acupuncture is to regulate blood and balance the body.
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The doctor attached the ear plug to several points on the patient's ear. Photo provided by the hospital. |
Before the procedure, the person who wants to quit smoking is given psychological counseling and commits to quitting smoking. The doctor measures indicators such as CO concentration in the breath, blood pressure, and heart rate. The patient is then given acupuncture on acupoints in the ear including the throat, lungs, shenmen, and endocrine points.
When needles are inserted into these points, the body releases beta-endorphins, which help smokers overcome cravings, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. If the smoker experiences cravings, the urge to smoke, or other unpleasant feelings, use your hand to press on the points where the ear pressure patch is attached on your ear for 5 to 10 seconds.
Dr. Lan said that this therapy is not applicable for pregnant women or women who are prone to miscarriage. Ear acupuncture is also not recommended for patients with ear swelling, ulcers, eczema. It is not used for people with serious illness or severe anemia.
According to the statistics of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Program, after 20 minutes of stopping smoking, blood pressure and pulse return to normal. After 8 hours, CO and blood oxygen reach ideal levels. After one day, the risk of angina will decrease. The next two days, nerve ending damage will recover. Lung function improves by 30% after 2 weeks of quitting smoking. After one year, the risk of lung cancer and myocardial infarction is reduced by 50% compared to smokers.
