Health Network News

Each year, millions of Americans finally decide to quit smoking. For some, the decision is based on health reasons. Smoking is linked to lung cancer among other diseases. For others, the decision is based on appearances. Smoking leaves smokers with yellow teeth. For still others, the decision arrived as a result of the pervasive social stigma that revolves around smoking. In any case, this is the time to finally kick the habit with stop smoking laser therapy.

But is this the right treatment? Experts and friends alike suggest a myriad of different stop smoking products. Lozenges are popular, as is acupuncture, as is nicotine gum. But you’ve tried all of these and it just hasn’t worked for you. If this is the case, laser therapy is not only a viable option it’s also a likely option. Laser therapy patients often report a quitting rate of four or five times that of other smokers.

The laser therapy procedure itself is simple. A laser technician uses a cold laser beam over the targeted energy points on the body. This is similar to a modern form of acupuncture. When the laser beam hits those areas on the body, the body releases natural pleasure chemicals called endorphins. The endorphins allow the patient to be calm and relaxed, which helps them fight nicotine craving and other symptoms of withdrawal. This lets patients quit smoking more easily.

Laser therapy for smoking cessation costs roughly three hundred dollars and takes approximately an hour to complete. The stop smoking laser therapy is usually accompanied by counseling and continuing follow up therapy in the immediate weeks following the laser therapy. Laser therapy is not a commonly covered therapy by major medical insurance companies.

Stop smoking laser therapy speeds up the body’s removal of nicotine, allowing the process to be completed more quickly. Treatments such as the nicotine patch or nicotine chewing gum can be combined with laser therapy; even though most laser therapy practitioners say that it is not necessary.

Laser therapy to stop smoking may help with the cravings for nicotine by causing the body to release endorphins to counter physical withdrawal symptoms. It does not, however, provide relief from the smoking habit. The psychological aspect of quitting smoking and breaking the actual habit requires long-term vigilance and in some individuals a good deal of follow up counseling or therapy.

While stop smoking laser therapy has enjoyed a lengthy history of use in Europe with a reasonable success rate, it has only been in the United States since 2001.

It is definitely worth considering when one keeps in mind the relatively brief period of time needed to complete the stop smoking laser therapy and to start obtaining results.

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