[Introduction]
Stopping smoking means to eliminate addiction to tobacco and the abstinence symptoms, such as general weakness and restlessness. According to TCM, smoking affects the functions of the heart, pericardium, lung, spleen and stomach, especially leading to disorder of pul-monary qi.
[Syndrome differentiation]
Smoking will make the smokers with addiction feel refreshed and comfortable. Smokers with addiction may smoke several cigarettes a day or several packs of cigarettes a day. Usually smokers with addiction have a history of smoking for half a year or one year, becoming dependent on smoking. Stoppage of smoking may lead to such symptoms as inability to work normally, general weakness, restlessness, discomfort in the throat, con-slant yawning, blurred vision and bradyesthesia.
[Treatment]
1. Body acupuncture
Prescription: Hegu (LI 4), Lieque (LU 7), Zusanli (ST 36) and Kongzui (LU 6 ).
Modification. For restlessness, Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) are added; for discomfort in the throat, Jiache (ST 6) is added; for blurred vision, Jingming (BL 1) and Fengchi (GB 20) are added; for vertigo, Yintang (EX-HN 3) and Baihui (GV 20) are added.
Performance: The acupoints are needled with fili-form needles; Hegu (LI 4) and Lieque (LU 7) are needled with the rotation of the needles for reducing purpose; strong stimulation is required when addiction ir-ritates.
2. Ear acupuncture
Prescription: Ear Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic Nerve (AH6a), Lung (CO14), Trachea (CO16), Subcor-rex (AT4), Liver (CO12) and Stomach (CO4).
Performance: Each time 2 - 3 acupoints are selected and needled with strong stimulation; or embedment of needles is used or Wangbuliuxingzi (Semen Vaccariae) is used for ear acupressure alternatively on both ears once 3- 4 days. The patient is advised to press the acupoints 3 - 4times a day to control the irritation of addiction. The sealed seeds are changed once every 3 - 4 days.
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