Addictions
Acupuncture has been a popular treatment for addictions for many years.
The type of acupuncture usually used is ear acupuncture, sometimes with electric stimulation during the treatment.
In addition, tiny needles are sometimes left in the ear between treatments. Because of the small but serious risk of infection from these 'indwelling' needles, I prefer to use small metal balls which are held in place over the acu-point with sticky plaster.
The type of acupuncture usually used is ear acupuncture, sometimes with electric stimulation during the treatment.
In addition, tiny needles are sometimes left in the ear between treatments. Because of the small but serious risk of infection from these 'indwelling' needles, I prefer to use small metal balls which are held in place over the acu-point with sticky plaster.
Smoking
Clinical trials have demonstrated a positive effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation.1 2 3
However though a more rigorous meta-analysis, that combines all high quality trials, found real acupuncture to be more effective than 'sham' acupuncture, this was not great enough to be 'statistically significant' or, in other words, the positive effect of acupuncture could have occurred by chance alone. 4
My own view based on clinical experience is that acupuncture can be a useful support to those wanting to stop smoking provided that the willpower is there. In other words, it will not do the job for you - you still have to do the hard work but acupuncture may lighten the load a little.
However though a more rigorous meta-analysis, that combines all high quality trials, found real acupuncture to be more effective than 'sham' acupuncture, this was not great enough to be 'statistically significant' or, in other words, the positive effect of acupuncture could have occurred by chance alone. 4
My own view based on clinical experience is that acupuncture can be a useful support to those wanting to stop smoking provided that the willpower is there. In other words, it will not do the job for you - you still have to do the hard work but acupuncture may lighten the load a little.
Opiate addiction
Acupuncture can help suppress the effects of withdrawal from opiates such as heroin, morphine and codeine. 5
Weight Loss
The stimulation of ear acupuncture points has been shown to suppress appetite. Over three quarters of those who received stimulation of acupuncture points lost over 2Kg in weight over the 12 week treatment period. 6
1. He D. Medbo JI. Hostmark AT. Effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction: an 8-month and 5-year follow-up study. Preventive Medicine 2001; 33(5):364-72.
2. Dong H, Berg JE, Høstmark AT. Effects of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction for motivated smokers. Preventive Medicine 1997; 26: 208-214.
3. Waite N, Clough JB. A single-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a simple acupuncture treatment in the cessation of smoking. British Journal of General Practice 1998; 48: 1487-1490.
4. White A, Resch K-L, Ernst E. A meta-analysis of acupuncture techniques for smoking cessation. Tobacco Control 1999; 8: 0-4.
5. Clement-Jones V, McLoughlin L, Besser GM, Rees LH, Wen HL. Acupuncture in heroin addicts; changes in Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Lancet 1979; 2(8139): 380-3.
6. Richards D, Marley J. Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss. Australian Family Physician 1998; 27 Suppl 2: S73-7.
2. Dong H, Berg JE, Høstmark AT. Effects of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction for motivated smokers. Preventive Medicine 1997; 26: 208-214.
3. Waite N, Clough JB. A single-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a simple acupuncture treatment in the cessation of smoking. British Journal of General Practice 1998; 48: 1487-1490.
4. White A, Resch K-L, Ernst E. A meta-analysis of acupuncture techniques for smoking cessation. Tobacco Control 1999; 8: 0-4.
5. Clement-Jones V, McLoughlin L, Besser GM, Rees LH, Wen HL. Acupuncture in heroin addicts; changes in Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Lancet 1979; 2(8139): 380-3.
6. Richards D, Marley J. Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss. Australian Family Physician 1998; 27 Suppl 2: S73-7.
