Acupuncture to Quit Smoking

Did you know that, according to the CDC, 68.0% of adult smokers (22.7 million) said that they wanted to quit smoking? 

Are you a part of the 68%? Have you ever asked yourself: How can I get rid of smoking naturally?

Have you thought of trying acupuncture? 

In this article, we will look at what research there is for acupuncture and aiming to stop smoking, how it works, how many sessions to expect, costs, FAQ, acupuncture points for smoking, and so much more. 

Let’s get started . . . 

Does Acupuncture Help to Quit Smoking? 

 Is Acupuncture good for quitting smoking? The short answer? Yes!  

How effective is acupuncture to quit smoking? That’s what’s explored next!

Does Acupuncture Work for Smoking? 

To explore the effectiveness of acupuncture on smoking cessation, let’s look at a question many people often ask: What is the success rate of acupuncture for quitting smoking? 

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial found that “the combination of acupuncture with education demonstrated an effectiveness rate of 40% cessation and 53% posttreatment reduction in total cigarettes smoked.”

Ear Acupuncture to Stop Smoking 

Auricular acupuncture, also known as ear acupuncture, has been shown to be helpful and effective in supporting those seeking to stop smoking. The needles are inserted into key points within the ear. 

The effectiveness of Auricular acupuncture for smoking cessation was researched through a study with 141 participants concluded that Acupuncture and education, alone and in combination, significantly reduce smoking; however, combined, they show a significantly greater effect, as seen in subjects with a greater pack-year history.’.  

How Many Sessions?

Your acupuncture treatments’ frequency for quitting smoking was recommended as eight weeks of weekly sessions. 

Now you may find that you benefit from more sessions. 

Each person is different, and it is always recommended that you discuss with your acupuncturist the number of sessions and frequency recommended just for you and your health needs. 

Cost

Costs per acupuncture treatment vary based on your location, possible discounts that the practitioner offers, and if your insurance covers it or not.

 For your first acupuncture session, you will most likely have a consultation and medical exam as well as the acupuncture treatment, so it will probably cost about $120 to $240 for that first session. This is an estimate. 

Treatments after that may cost around $75 to $160 per session. 

Here are some average costs per session based on the city for acupuncture treatments without insurance:

Packaged sessions are one way to potentially save on the costs of acupuncture. For example, Many acupuncturists often offer discounts for multiple sessions bought at once, for example, if you paid for six sessions at once and then used them over time.  

You may also want to consider community acupuncture as a way to locate a low-cost option for acupuncture in your area.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture work for smoking cessation? 

Yes, acupuncture does work for smoking cessation based on the studies and trials that have been conducted. 

Does Medicare cover TMJ?

No, Medicare doesn’t cover acupuncture to help with smoking cession. The only condition Medicare will cover acupuncture for is chronic low back pain.

How often should I get acupuncture for TMJ?

It is advisable to discuss the frequency of your acupuncture treatments to stop smoking with a professional acupuncturist in your area.

Acupuncture Points for Smoking Cessation  

Depending on your personal needs and evaluation by your acupuncturist, many different acupuncture points may be selected when using acupuncture to help you achieve the goal of stop smoking.  

To demonstrate the many acupuncture points that have been researched and used to help those working toward the goal of aiming to quit smoking, let’s look at a systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials and the types of acupuncture points that were used: 

So with all the variety of acupuncture points used to help those aiming to stop smoking, what might you expect? 

A lot of variety that is individualized to you. But for an idea of what points may be used for body acupuncture, the following acupuncture points were used in an observational study: 

  1. Baihui (GV 20)
  2. Lieque (LU 7)
  3. Hegu (LI 4)
  4. Zusanli (ST 36)
  5. Sanyinjiao (SP 6)
  6. Taichong (LR 3)

The following two acupuncture points were added if a study participant experienced smoking or nicotine withdrawal symptoms: 

Yintang (EX-HN3): For the following withdrawal symptoms —cough, running nose, and dry eyes. 

Neiguann (PC 6): For the following withdrawal symptoms of dysphoria, melancholy, insomnia. 

Want to know about ear acupuncture points have been shown to be effective for smoking cessation? 

Let’s look at that next. . . 

Ear Acupuncture Points for TMJ 

When using ear acupuncture to stop smoking, the most common Auricular acupuncture points used, according to a study that was published in the Yonsei medical journal, are: 

Other Alternatives 

There are many complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies that may help with helping you quit smoking. 

with achieving their goal of smoking cessation, including:

Getting Started

Before getting started with acupuncture for smoking cessation, be sure to talk with your physician or medical professional about getting a proper medical diagnosis and what treatment recommendations are appropriate for your lifestyle goal of quitting smoking. 

Work with a professional acupuncturist in your area to determine how acupuncture may best help you and the frequency of treatment that’s right for you.

References

Acupuncture for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials. Tobacco induced diseases, 17, 48. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/109195 

Bier, I. D., Wilson, J., Studt, P., & Shakleton, M. (2002). Auricular acupuncture, education, and smoking cessation: a randomized, sham-controlled trial. American journal of public health, 92(10), 1642–1647. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.10.1642  

Complementary Health Approaches for Smoking Cessation: What the Science Says. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2020, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/complementary-health-approaches-for-smoking-cessation-science 

Wang, J. H., van Haselen, R., Wang, M., Yang, G. L., Zhang, Z., Friedrich, M. E., Wang, L. Q., Zhou, Y. Q., Yin, M., Xiao, C. Y., Duan, A. L., Liu, S. C., Chen, B., & Liu, J. P. (2019). Acupuncture for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials. Tobacco induced diseases, 17, 48. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/109195 

Wang, Y. Y., Liu, Z., Wu, Y., Zhang, O., Chen, M., Huang, L. L., He, X. Q., Wu, G. Y., & Yang, J. S. (2016). Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in Hong Kong: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 2865831. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2865831

Kang, H. C., Shin, K. K., Kim, K. K., & Youn, B. B. (2005). The effects of the acupuncture treatment for smoking cessation in high school student smokers. Yonsei medical journal, 46(2), 206–212. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2005.46.2.206 

Smoking Cessation: Fast Facts. (2020, May 21). Retrieved November 8, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/smoking-cessation-fast-facts/index.html