Posts Tagged ‘ear acupuncture’
Time to Quit Smoking in New York City
Apr 1, 2009
Today the federal government put an extra 62 cents tax on cigarettes. That makes a pack over $9 in New York City, which means more than $250 per month for those who smoke a pack per day.
You can do it!!!
Quitting is a challenge for many, but you can do it. The NYC Department of Health and Human Services is offering help with free nicotine patches and support groups. They also have some good suggestions on their website about preparing mentally like making a list of reasons to quit, finding friends and family who will support you, creating a plan with a specific date that you will quit, and exercising regularly for stress relief. Click here to read more about their program.
I also suggest, as part of the plan, to know what you will do instead of smoking. So if you crave a cigarette, often eating an apple, a pretzel, or chewing gum can occupy the physical habit of doing something.
I hear some people use acupuncture to quit smoking, is this true?
Ear Acupuncture Model
Yes, a lot of people use acupuncture for smoking. Acupuncture helps to relax the body and mind to calm the craving for cigarettes, which makes you more comfortable and less irritable. Feeling good can certainly give your will power a boost!
Often, acupuncture for quitting smoking is focused on the ears. It can be used alone or in combination with other methods, such as stress reduction, nicotine replacement, and a supportive group of friends and family.
Want to read more?
Here is a good article about the concept and theory of acupuncture for smoking cessation, and here is one about the research.
Photos: hegarty_david, Pelikanol
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Jan 26, 2009
Patients and acupuncturist have long touted acupuncture as effective for weight loss, and the scientific community finally agrees. A recent metanalysis in the International Journal of Obesity showed that acupuncture was effective at promoting weight loss. For those who do not know, a metanalysis is more definitive study which examines many many previously performed studies.
The people who received acupuncture lost more weight and were more likely to reduce obesity that either people receiving placebo acupuncture, lifestyle changes, or medication.
Sound like great news, how does it work?
Acupuncture works by addressing imbalances in your body, and correcting them removes the impediments to loose weight. Some people have a qi imbalance. Qi is the body’s energy, if you have too little qi, then it is hard for you to loose weight.
Qi also circulates in the body, and stress can lead to the slowing of this circulation, also called qi stagnation.
Correcting these imbalances will lead to more energy and an increased in your ability to take off pounds. Your acupuncturist is trained in determining the correct imbalance in your body and addressing it.
It’s Amazing, It’s Powerful, It’s a Little Mysterious, but it’s Not Magic
Unlike what has made the media, acupuncture needles are not magic. Acupuncture helps people to loose weight by, as I said, correcting imbalances. Once the imbalance is corrected, the treatments help to boost your metabolism. Acupuncture has also been shown to stimulate the brain and to release neurochemicals and hormones. This helps you relax, and gives you more energy. Also, for many, poor digestion and constipation lead to weight gain, which acupuncture is great at addressing.
But it is only a part of a weight loss plan. Healthy food choices and exercise are also essential, and this combination is the most powerful way to loose weight and keep it off.
I hear ear acupuncture works to calm hunger, is this true?
Yes it can, but make sure that you are getting a qualified acupuncturist to do a full diagnosis and treatment.
A practice called ear stapling has gotten a lot of attention recently. This treatment that is unhelpful and it is also dangerous. They use large needles which are inserted into the ear and remain in the ear for a number of weeks. This can lead to infection and in the worse cases, loss of an ear.
Generally, an acupuncturist will use ear seeds, ear magnets, or small safe ear needles. These all can work safely and effectively to help you loose weight.
If you are interested in learning more about how acupuncture may help you loose weight and keep it off, and you are in New York City, please call us at 917-887-4946 for a free consultation. If you are not in our region, please go to Acufinder.com to find an acupuncturist.
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