Smoking Cessation

A good smoking cessation program will combine stress management techniques with tips for dealing with cravings. Smoking cessation is important for your health and offers many health benefits. Soon after smoking cessation, blood pressure returns to normal and circulation improves. Following smoking cessation, breathing becomes easier and your sense of taste and smell return. Smoking cessation can lead to living longer and risk of cancer decreases with each smoke-free year.

Smoking cessation often produces side effects due to nicotine withdrawal such as irritability, weight gain and anxiety. Various types of nicotine replacement therapy can aid in smoking cessation. Smoking cessation can be combined with nicotine patches, gum, nasal spray, inhalers, and/or lozenges that provide a steady dose of nicotine to counteract nicotine cravings. In addition, hypnosis, acupuncture and homeopathic therapies may be included in a smoking cessation plan as stop-smoking methods.

A large percentage of individuals who begin a smoking cessation program go back to smoking within the first three months of smoking cessation due to withdrawal symptoms. Some smokers usually require several attempts at smoking cessation to be successful. Studies have shown that the best smoking cessation programs include either one-on-one or group counseling over a period of at least two weeks. Individuals who participate in smoking cessation programs benefit from a higher quality of life with fewer cold and flu illnesses, improved health and decreased rates of pneumonia and bronchitis.

Dr. Browne has been conducting Stop Smoking Programs since 1990 with excellent results. On the average his programs takes six weeks to complete from start to finish. His patients are conditioned to stop smoking and to stay off the substance for at least one year. If you have tried to quit and just can't achieve success try Dr. Browne's system ACU-QUIT

Acupuncture Therapy (ACU-QUIT) and Chinese herbal formulas can aid in reducing withdrawal symptoms and detoxifying the body of nicotine while increasing energy levels. In addition to a smoking cessation plan, individuals should also include dietary modification and exercise. Acupuncture & Massage College is currently offering a health and fitness class on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm that includes yoga, meditation and qigong. For information call 305.595.9500