ADDRESS

12200 N. Ambassador Drive, Suite 603
Kansas City, MO. 64163

PHONE

816-584-0444

There’s an Easier way to Stop Smoking: Here’s How

It is estimated that there are over 34 million Americans that smoke. In today’s world of patches, e cigarettes, pills, and now even gum, why is it that more people aren’t able to quit? It could be the poor side effects from certain medications, forgetting to take the medications or put a new patch on, or even the high cost of some treatments. What if we told you that there’s an easier way?
For our patients that want to quit smoking, we use a treatment called Auriculotherapy. Auriculotherapy is a form of acupuncture. This form of acupuncture targets points within the ear to treat various conditions. These treatments are quick, effective, and easy. No remembering to take your medications, having embarrassing patches on, or spending money on nicotine gum.
So, you’ve attempted to quit smoking in the past, but it has never worked, but how is this treatment different? Unlike conventional treatments, auriculotherapy works by stimulating the central nervous system and targeting the brain. Auriculotherapy helps to reduce the addictive tendencies and reduce withdrawal. Typical medications to help quit smoking simply disable nerve receptors from attaching to nicotine, where as auriculotherapy targets the source and helps the brain to eventually get over the addiction.
Whether we like to think of it in this way or not, smoking is an addiction, and nicotine is considered to be a drug. So those who attempt to quit smoking using typical treatments still receive symptoms of withdrawal, making it difficult to continue not smoking. Many of those who smoke have been smoking for years, and quitting the habit can be extremely difficult. Quitting smoking is extremely challenging psychologically, and that’s why those who want to stop smoking need a treatment that is going to help re-balance the chemicals within the brain.
Now, you may be thinking about how much you hate needles or how auriculotherapy must hurt. That is not the case. Most of our patients don’t even feel when the needle is inserted. Those who do feel the needle, report only a slight tingling sensation. The diameter of the needle used for auriculotherapy is a quarter of the diameter that is typically used for ear piercings. Additionally, acupuncture needles are very different from typical needles used to draw blood or administer medication. First, acupuncture needles are much smaller, not only in diameter but overall size. Secondly, the needle is enclosed in plastic, so patients can not even see the needle. Third, acupuncture needles are inserted by lightly tapping the needle, rather than forcefully inserted into the skin as they are when receiving a shot or getting blood drawn. Lastly, these needles are inserted only 1-3 mm into the skin.
For more information, or to begin treatments, give us a call today. 816-584-0444.