Quitting Smoking with Acupuncture

Quitting Smoking with Acupuncture

By Leslie Droege, LAc, RN

         

Well, it is March and nearly springtime!  Many of us who made New Year’s resolutions are finding those a distant memory now.  Maybe your resolution was to quit smoking or using tobacco this year.  We are all aware of the very real and serious dangers of smoking. However, smoking and other tobacco use still remains fairly high considering the possible consequences. In my experience, most smokers I know plan to quit “some day.”  One of my acupuncture clients recently said to me (regarding his smoking habit), "Why am I paying somebody to kill me?" Harsh words, but this sentiment helped him to quit, and acupuncture helped him do it.  

Acupuncture is thought to be around 3,000 years old, and in many ways remains a mystery as to why it is so effective. Chinese medicine is a very gentle way for your body to achieve balance and is particularly effective to help you quit smoking. The treatment helps your body's "three filters" (i.e. lungs, liver, and, kidneys) work optimally to rid your body of the nearly 2,000 chemicals smoking introduces into the lungs and bloodstream, and also helps with the stress and emotions that come with quitting. There is a smoking protocol most acupuncture practitioners use that involves counseling, herbal formulas and acupuncture points in the ear to help combat the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Many acupuncturists also put adhesive magnets in the ear following the treatment to help sustain the effects of the treatment through the week.

Herbs are also a key component of quitting, and most smoking cessation herbal formulas have components to help the lungs function better, calm the nerves, and combat the cravings after quitting. Withdrawal typically starts a few hours after the last cigarette and peaks at 72 hours, although cravings may last for quite some time after that. Some other things that acupuncture can help with are the irritability and cravings people experience, as well as fatigue, poor concentration, headache, anxiety, and restlessness. Most acupuncturists generally recommend 3-6 treatments to quit smoking, generally once per week, and twice in the first week. There is research that shows it takes 21 days to form a new habit and in my experience most people will successfully quit if they can make it nicotine free to this 21-day point.

Most people choose their first acupuncture treatment day as their quit day, and have cleaned their cars, homes, and work places of all smoking items. Other people opt for a gradual withdrawal and are smoke free by the end of three weeks. Your acupuncturist will also help you explore things to do when a smoking craving hits, such as eating celery, sunflower seeds, or doing a project with your hands, such as a puzzle, or knitting. It is also helpful to have your car detailed to rid it of the odor of smoking. Either way you choose to quit; either cold turkey or gradually, acupuncture can help you live a smoke-free life, without becoming addicted to nicotine patches, e-cigarettes,  or gum.  The Integrative Healing Institute also has other modalities to help your stress levels as you’re ridding your body of nicotine, like massage, reflexology, and lymphatic drainage to help with release of toxins. Let us know if you too would like help living a smoke-free life! 

Reflexology and Your Health

 

    The healing art of what we call Reflexology dates back to 5,000 BC where we understand that it was practiced in ancient India, Egypt and China. Trade routes between these countries, their Asian neighbors and eventually the West during the Middle Ages brought a wealth of knowledge about many ancient healing practices. Reflexology is one of the oldest surviving healing techniques still practiced today.

    According to author Mark Beck, “…reflexology is based on the principles that reflex points in the hands and feet are related to every other organ in the body. By applying pressure to a reflex point, the practitioner can effect certain beneficial changes.” (Beck 776)

 

How Does It Work?

     Neuro-lymphatic Reflexes located throughout the body including the hands and feet help to normalize, balance and encourage homeostasis within the body when properly stimulated. There are several forms of reflexology, but foot reflexology is the most common form taught and practiced today.

     Reflexology is holistic wellness technique affecting multiple systems and functions including; the lymphatic system, the endocrine system, the circulatory system, the meridian system, the nervous system and the proprioceptive system. (Stone 18)

Benefits of Reflexology

·       Reflexology relieves stress by eliciting the relaxation response. (Wright 14)

·       Reflexology is a clothed therapy and is a perfect alternative for individuals who do not feel comfortable having massage.

·       Reflexology is non-invasive or non-painful.

·       Reflexology benefits people of all ages.

·       Reflexology improves overall function of the body and is a holistic form of therapy.

·       Reflexology teaches and promotes healthy body awareness.

·       Reflexology improves circulation of blood and lymph and benefits nerve function. (Wright 30)

·       Reflexology is helpful for painful conditions of the feet and/or hands.

·       Hand and Foot Reflexology is perfectly suited for self-care.

·       Reflexology sessions of the hands and/or feet affect both hemispheres of the brain. (The right hand or foot is dominantly controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain and left hand or foot the right hemisphere).

Contrary to popular belief, Reflexology does not have to hurt to be effective in fact the opposite is true. Working with the body’s reflexes without creating pain allows the body to sense dysfunction and make internal adjustments that are noticed as healing.

When a Reflexology session is given without pain it creates a more optimal learning situation for the body. Non-invasive therapy means that there should be no pain involved.

   Reflexology Reference Charts

     There are many different versions of foot and hand reflexology charts. There is even an interactive version for your phone. Reflexology charts will enable you to map the reflexes, but If you are interested in doing Reflexology as a hobby or even a profession taking a live course or two will enable you to work with the reflexes with confidence.

A basic Reflexology course should help the student to:

·       Understand the contraindications (precautions)

·       Learn the benefits of Reflexology

·       Understand how to give a therapeutic Reflexology session 

·       Market and price your Reflexology session appropriately

·       Feel confident about performing non-invasive Reflexology techniques

·       Be informed about the licensing laws in your state.

Sources

Beck, Mark F. Theory & Practice of Therapeutic Massage 4th Edition. New York;

Thomson Delmar Learning. 2006.

Stone, Paula S. Therapeutic Reflexology, A Step-by-Step Guide to Professional

Competence. Boston; Pearson Education Inc. 2011.

Wright, Janet. Reflexology and Acupressure: Pressure Points for Healing. CRES

Publishing. 2000.

Bio:

Kim Krost is owner of Integrative Healing Institute in San Antonio Texas. She is a licensed massage therapist and massage therapy instructor teaching a variety of wellness classes including Reflexology. In addition to management of the Institute she has maintained a holistic bodywork practice since 1999 using Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Reflexology and Natural Reflex Therapy®, a technique she co-created that helps to balance endocrine system function in the body.

Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui

     In this world of ever expanding complexity, with the population exponentially increasing, technology making things easier and harder at the same time, and our sense of time disappearing, we all need to take a break and reassess priorities.

     Springtime is often the time when we feel the energy to start this process.  From a Feng Shui perspective, the energy of Spring is associated with the Wood element, or plants.  Think about the strength a seed exerts when sprouting, pushing through the earth, and eventually growing into a large tree, and you get the feeling of the Wood element.  There’s some power there!

     This is the time of the year to take advantage of that energy and clear out the dead wood from the wintertime.  We start the process inside our minds.  We cannot clear the outer clutter without first addressing the old beliefs and habits that we carry inside.  Most internal reasons for clutter in the environment come from ideas that we inherited from our family or culture.   From the depression era, we inherited the belief that there might not be “enough”.   Not true for most.   Or we identify with our books or clothes as if they are extensions of ourselves.  We are not our clothes or our education, or our cars, as much as the culture hypnotizes us through advertising to believe this to be true.

     Once you challenge your “beliefs” about why you are holding onto things, here’s the formula for letting go.  Hold the item in your hands.  Ask if it lifts your energy or brings it down in some way.   If it lifts you energetically, you can keep it.  If it’s neutral or lowers your energy, then it’s time to let it go.  You cannot bring in your new and shiny future, without making space for it.

     If you’d like to explore more of these concepts, join us for classes. We have a Wealth/Blessings Feng Shui class on March 14^th and a Feng Shui Space Clearing class on May 2^nd!

Alison Shockner

Reiki for Your Chakras

Did you know combining a reiki session with crystals and chakra balancing allows a different type of strength?

It is believed that interaction between stones and chakras will return the chakra into a healthy vibration, therefore healing the affected part of he body.
                                        

Crystals have energy and hold vibrations that can be very beneficial and helpful in balancing the mind, body and spirit.  When used win reiki it can increase self healing.

All energy centers affect a physical, mental,emotional and spiritual well being.

Reiki healing is a natural therapy that gently balances life energies and brings health and well being to the client.

Chakra healing and reiki  removes energy blockages and adjusts the energy flow of the endocrine system bringing the body into balance and harmony.

Did you know when we are relaxed and stress free we can restore our natural ability to heal?

Chakras are a vortex of moving energy and Chakra healing will help simulate overall  wellness.

The fifth chakra embodies the challenges of surrendering our own will and spirit to divine will.

*Do you need chakra healing?

How do you know if your feelings are stuck?
-Overwhelmed, anger, sadness, fear and disgust.

What is an emotional imbalance ?
An imbalance or overactive chakra may manifest as you being more judgmental, demanding, stubborn, a perfectionist, complaining almost about anything, or being flaky and unreliable.

By Maritza Cano