Acupuncture can be of benefit to those looking to stop smoking. Most studies find that acupuncture is primarily beneficial in the short run, rather than the long term outcomes.

I use a protocol that has been very successful for a friend of mine. I suspect that one of the main reasons it is effective is that I will not treat someone who does not expressly want to quit. To this end, the potential patient must be the person contacting me. They can not be forced to come see me by a partner or friend. The patient will tell me exactly why they want to quit. If they are not doing it because they feel they need to quit then I will not treat them.

This reduces my statistical failure. The main reason this is successful program is that I will only accept patients who are committed to stopping the habit of smoking. They are not there because of a partner who is telling them they should, but rather because they want to. This allows the acupuncture to be effective in the way it was meant to be effective.

Acupuncture can reduce (but not eliminate) cravings. It can help with the anxiety and irritability. It can help with the sleeplessness. It cannot take the cigarette out of the patient’s mouth.

In working with patients to stop smoking, I typically use an herbal formula that will continue to help reduce cravings. This is something they can take home with them and use after the treatment.

There are many good reasons to stop smoking, however if you haven’t embraced the need to stop smoking, acupuncture cannot help you effectively stop for any amount of time. It is only when you are ready that we can offer you some assistance with your smoking cessation.

Subhuti Dharmananda, of ITM in Portland has a study here.

Health Care Information also offers some information.

There is also some general information here.