Acupressure therapy for smoking cessation

Auricular therapy (Acupressure therapy of the ear region) has been used successfully for Smoking cessation. Auriculotherapy is thought to be 7 times more powerful than other methods used for smoking cessation; a single auriculotherapy treatment has been shown to reduce smoking from 20 or more cigarettes a day down to 3 to 5 a day.

Acupressure is state-of-the-art therapy for the treatment of over 350 diseases, and is clinically recognized by the World Health Organization and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 One of the core principles of this healing technology is that the outer portion of the ear (i.e., the auricle) is a microsystem that represents every part of the human body. In other words, every point of the outer ear corresponds to, and is associated with, a specific part of the human anatomy. Whereas general body acupuncture addresses health problems by working on the energy meridians of the body, auriculotherapy is based on nerve connections (in the human nervous system) and offers specific localized treatment for the organs or systems involved in the health problem.

 'Acupressure diet' suggests these two acupoints:

There are two acupressure points "stomach" and "mouth" in the ear. If those are stimulated, work of the stomach becomes normal and luxury goods like tobacco will become wanting less. It may be hard to keep quitting smoking for one week after quitting smoking. To get through the one week, stimulate the acupressure points in the ear by hands when you want to come to smoke.

Stomach: The acupressure point for the stomach is located around the tip of the cartilage that crosses the hole top of an ear.
 Mouth: The acupressure point for the mouth is located a little inside the one for the stomach.
 Stimulation method: Stimulate each acupressure points with the back (side which is not sharp) of a fingertip or a toothpick. If you want to come to smoke, please push and rub the acupressure points. 

How is the auricular therapy administered?
 While professional auriculotherapists may employ a small electronic pulse to stimulate the point, this is not the only method. Pressure, as in acupressure, can be used, such as finger pressure, or a blunt probe, like the end of a match stick, is all that is required to administer auriculotherapy treatment. Pressure may also be applied by using the forefinger and thumb, on any given point. The point is pressed for between 30 to 60 seconds. The norm is 30 seconds per point. To know that the auriculotherapy is being effective, the ear being treated should turn reddish in color and develop a warm sensation upon being treated.

Useful links:
* Effects of auricular acupressure therapy on smoking

* Research paper by Dr.Kokubo on clinical testing of PressPoint Ear Acupressure System 'Acupressure treatment for smoking and overweight problemss'