Auricular Acupuncture for Chemical Dependency
Why Acupuncture for Detox?
Auricular Acupuncturereduces the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
Relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia and help people relax.
Profoundly relieves withdrawal symptoms including cravings, body aches, headache, etc. Patients become comfortable with their own physical processes.
Patients learn to ‘let go’ of tension and preoccupations the calm stability in the acupuncture setting creates a relatively timeless process.
There is much less pressure to improve according to guilt-related standards.
Acupuncture treatments, taken enough times, clear the mind, build energy, and give a sense of well being. The acupuncture detoxification is an ideal partner with other programs and creates a calming response to life’s troubles.
Pioneering Work in the U.S.: Lincoln Hospital, New York
Acupuncture has been helping alcoholics and addicts at Lincoln Hospital in New York since 1975. This is a simple, drug-free modality, patients feel comfort and focus, and are better able to participate in the other phases of their treatment. Acupuncture can be especially useful for cocaine abusers, since there are no medications to treat this addiction.
The exact biological mechanisms are not well understood, and may not be so important; acupuncture has a peaceful, calming, and empowering effect.
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How does this acupuncture for addictions actually work, i.e. what’s involved?
Acupuncture Treatment for addictions is called ‘Auricular Acupuncture’
Five to ten tiny needles are placed in each ear, and then the clients rest quietly for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate or think.
In detoxification treatment, points in the ear correspond to specific organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys and nervous system. One of the points- shenmen– is for relaxation.
The treatment triggers the release of natural body chemicals, including endorphins, which help reduce cravings for drugs, ease withdrawal symptoms, and increase relaxation.
How Will I feel During the Treatment?
Once the needles have been placed, your ears may tingle or feel warm. Some people even fall asleep. These are normal responses. Some people say they feel very relaxed when they are having a treatment, others don’t feel much at all. Even if you don’t feel much
You are getting benefit from treatment. Acupuncture is most effective after a series of treatments over a period of time.
What are the unique benefits of acupuncture for addiction?
It can be used safely with any other health condition. Drug- free method.
Effective on an outpatient basis successfully used as a drug detoxification method at over 100 different drug treatment clinics in the United States and is used for this purpose in at least 25 other countries.
Paradoxically it’s even more effective with clients who are ‘hardest to treat.
It is balancing and non-symptom, non syndrome dependent.
The acupuncture Detoxification Process
During detoxification, your body filters out the toxins that you have been storing up. Blood circulation begins to improve…
How does ear acupuncture diminish the power of the mental obsession?
From a Chinese Medicine standpoint, the ear points are calming, and regulate the Liver, Lung, and Kidney.
events responsible for the feeling of relaxation experienced by the patient.
Research has demonstrated that acupuncture can influence the neurochemical pathways of the brain.
In particular, those of the mesolimbic system.
This area is involved in the mechanism responsible for reward and pleasure.
Other benefits using Auricular Acupuncture
It is possible to provide kind, soothing, attention without the risk of enabling the addictive process.
Patients become comfortable with their own thoughts Patients develop their win spatial comfort zone, to remain comfortable while focused on present time activities.
Patients learn that their private, internal process can be a source of strength and renewal.
How Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Abuse Began –One Version
One day in the early 1970`s, H.L. Wen, M.D., then the only neurosurgeon in all of South China and Hong Kong, was preparing to use electro-acupuncture as surgical analgesia and the patient, who happened to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opium at the time, reported his symptoms had disappeared.
Wen cancelled the surgery and scouted the hospital for other patients in withdrawal. He gave his pre-op procedure to them and their symptoms also ceased. Acupuncture for substance abuse was born.
Regaining balance and control
Despite scepticism that there is something in the needles (addicts are often as stupid as they are charming), acupuncture does not add anything to the body; it simply helps to guide a person’s physiology toward a more optimal state.
Acupuncture helps us achieve balance and control, patients feel comfort and focus, and are better able to participate in the other phases of their treatment.
What About the Needles – Do They Hurt? Is it safe?
First of all, the needles used to stimulate acupuncture points have no resemblance to hypodermic syringes or body acupuncture needles.
Acupuncture needles are very slender, about the thickness of two human hairs- sterile and disposable- needles are single use only and approved by the FDA,
Most insertions are intradermal- just beneath the skin’s surface, which enable the skilled acupuncture practitioner to place a needle with little or no sensation or pain.
However, if you have a real fear of needles, discuss it with your acupuncturist.
An appropriate treatment strategy can always be agreed upon.
How many sessions do I need for treatment?
Each person is unique; the number of treatments needed will vary.
As a general rule of thumb- acupuncture for a serious addiction needs 1-2 sessions daily initially for 5-10 days.
The acupuncture is performed in a therapeutic setting with comfortable seating
When patients opt for the acupuncture treatment they are often amazed by the immediate feelings of well-being, relaxation, and focus that accompany their sessions.
Please feel free to contact LondonShiatsu to see how we can help.