Ear acupuncture to quit smoking
Auricular acupuncture (acupuncture in the ear) is used to break tobacco dependence and relieve unpleasant symptoms caused by cigarette 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 needles 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 qi, and balance the body.
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The doctor attached the earplugs 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 CO2 concentration in the breath, blood pressure, and heart rate. Then the patient is given acupuncture on the ear points including the throat, lungs, Shenmen, and endocrine points.
When needles are inserted into these points, the body will release beta-endorphins, which will help smokers overcome cravings, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. If the smoker feels the urge to smoke, or has other unpleasant feelings, he should press the points where the ear pressure patches are attached on his 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 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 is reduced. The next two days, nerve ending damage is restored. Lung function improves 30% after 2 weeks of quitting smoking. One year later, the risk of lung cancer and myocardial infarction is reduced by 50% compared to smokers.
