| Introduction | | | | physical cravings to be successfully treated. |
| With the known affects that smoking has, not only on | | | | What is involved in a treatment? |
| the human body but the world around it, many | | | | First and foremost patients must be sure that the |
| individuals that are addicted to nicotine still find it | | | | acupuncturist or doctor they see is trained and |
| incredibly hard to quit. Many patients will have already | | | | experienced in the specialty of Auricular Acupuncture |
| been through numerous amounts of patches, gum, and | | | | (not just Acupuncture as taught by Universities). Most |
| counselling in order to quit, with no avail. | | | | people who are knowledgeable in this method will have |
| This article will explore a clinically effective method in | | | | done training within specific clinics overseas, in Europe, |
| the assistance of nicotine addiction withdrawal. This | | | | or the United States. There are only a few |
| method, stemming from thousands of years of | | | | practitioners in Australia that are able to utilise this |
| Chinese Acupuncture, and half a century of European | | | | method effectively. |
| medical research, innovation and practice is known as | | | | Treatment will normally involve a full assessment of |
| Auricular Acupuncture, and just may be the answer | | | | the individuals' condition through various diagnostic |
| that smokers are looking for. | | | | means. One particular method of assessment that |
| What is it? | | | | practitioners will apply is the checking of laterality |
| Auriculomedicine (Also known as ear acupuncture, | | | | dysfunction. Laterality is the state of harmonious |
| auricular acupuncture, auricular therapy etc) is a | | | | interaction between the two cerebral hemispheres of |
| method that originally spawned from Lyon, France. It is | | | | the brain. The dominant hemisphere (i.e. left side in a |
| a therapy that utilises fundamental modern medical | | | | right handed person and vice versa) must first be |
| science (primarily based on neurophysiology / | | | | established in order for proper point selection to be |
| neurology) and concepts of traditional acupuncture. | | | | made. Laterality disorders may result from any |
| The actual method involves either placement of sterile, | | | | physical or emotional trauma that has occurred during |
| single use hair thin needles onto the external surface | | | | the patients' life, it may occur at any time. |
| (outer) of the ear. Alternatively low level laser may be | | | | Laterality dysfunction may present itself through |
| used. Generally a selection of points (normally 2 - 5) | | | | learning disorders (ADD, ADHD, dyslexia etc.), |
| are used, and often combined with specific body points | | | | behavioural problems (depression, anxiety, stress), or |
| (again able to be stimulated by needle or laser). It is a | | | | productivity problems (such as concentration and |
| 100% pain free method that often leaves the patient | | | | confusion in co-ordination). Clinical research has found |
| relaxed and very comfortable. | | | | that individuals who are addicted to a substance |
| How does it work? | | | | (particularly nicotine) are trying to re-lateralise (balance) |
| There are many theories about how acupuncture | | | | themselves. It has been seen, clinically, that Auricular |
| works, however, auricular acupuncture is an exception | | | | Acupuncture is the best and quickest method to treat |
| - its' effectiveness is known and well researched. | | | | such disorders. |
| When the auricle is stimulated, either with needle | | | | Laterality Dysfunction is often the cause of many |
| (considered more effective) or laser (less, but still | | | | acupuncture treatments (such as protocol based |
| effective), the body will release endorphins (natural pain | | | | clinics) not being as effective. In actuality, laterality |
| relieving biochemicals). | | | | dysfunction can be seen as a blockage to therapy, |
| Endorphins are secreted by the pituitary gland and | | | | and therefore must be assessed and treated first. |
| certain parts of the central nervous system (CNS). | | | | Following the above, practitioners will either use a filter |
| Auricular Acupuncture has been shown to influence | | | | or polarised object t in conjunction with a specific pulse |
| the blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of | | | | method (known as the Vascular Autonomic Signal or |
| endorphins. | | | | VAS) to determine which of the points on the auricle |
| When an individual is addicted to nicotine (via tobacco | | | | are most "active". The reason for this is that there are |
| smoke) they will naturally have higher endorphin levels. | | | | hundreds of acu-points located on the ear and without |
| So, why then does Auricular Acupuncture, which | | | | this method practitioners are merely "stabbing in the |
| induces endorphin release work? | | | | dark". Protocol based laser therapies unfortunately are |
| For two reasons, one when an individual makes the | | | | like this and therefore do often not completely assist |
| step to give up smoking the endorphins within their | | | | the patient. |
| CNS will naturally drop and will need to be maintained. | | | | Patient Inclusion |
| And two, Auricular Acupuncture doesn't increase the | | | | It is important that the practitioner explain to the patient |
| levels of endorphins, it merely stabilises the rate of | | | | what the process is going to involve and how long it is |
| release. In this way, patients that have quit, and need | | | | going to take. In my experience any where between 2 |
| help with withdrawal can be treated, and patients that | | | | - 6 treatments is necessary. Sometimes a follow-up or |
| need help in actually putting down the cigarette can be | | | | "booster" is recommended to ensure they are still on |
| treated. | | | | track. |
| The other factors involved in Auricular Acupuncture | | | | Patients must also do some work as well. I often |
| are those associated with a sense of calmness and | | | | suggest before the first treatment to try and not |
| relaxation. This happens because of the release of the | | | | smoke (at least for a few hours), as many patients will |
| before mentioned endorphins and stimulation produced | | | | have a cigarette before the treatment to quell any |
| analgesia. This analgesic effect of Auricular | | | | anxiousness they may be experiencing. During the |
| Acupuncture occurs due to activity produced via | | | | actual process it is also recommended to the patient |
| reflex stimulation within the periaqueductal gray (PAG), | | | | to avoid the social settings or stressful situations in |
| hypothalamus, thalamus, and somatosensory and | | | | which they would normally smoke, this can be hard |
| prefrontal cortex. This allows the withdrawal | | | | and is often determined by will power as well. |
| symptoms or anxiety, restlessness, stress, and other | | | | |