Addiction
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Kick the Smoking Habit
Acupuncture and Cold Laser Therapy
Acupuncture and Cold Laser Therapy
Acupuncture and cold laser therapy are alternative smoking cessation therapies. Acupuncture involves inserting hair-thin needles into "acupoints" on your body. Stimulation from these needles prompts your body to release natural chemicals like endorphins, which curb cravings and withdrawals. Cold laser therapy uses a low-powered laser to stimulate the same body points. Some swear by these treatments, but there is no consistent evidence that either is effective. According to Consumer Reports Health, one study found that acupuncture helped people stop smoking opium by lessening the pain and reducing the number of withdrawal symptoms, but these results weren't replicated in studies done on quitting cigarette smoking.
By MedHelp Editors. Published July 5, 2011. Updated March 30, 2015.
Reviewed by Joseph Sclafani, MD on April 10, 2015.
