Every year, millions of people try to quit smoking. And every year, millions fail. Smokers try nicotine patches, inhalers, nasal spray and gum to kick the habit. Some try quitting cold-turkey. Most will quit two or three times and return to the habit before quitting again permanently. Estimates are that about a quarter of adults and 3,000 children and adolescents in the United States are smokers. And while 70 percent of those say they would like to quit,less than three percent are successful each year. According to the Center for Disease Control, most relapses occur within three months. Quitting can be stressful, sometimes even painful, and it`s a long process. Smoking is an addiction like alcohol and drug abuse. Dr. Gary Scardino, of Newtown, has a treatment that can help people quit smoking and other addictions, beginning with a 15 minute treatment to the ears. It`s called auriculotherapy. The treatment balances brain chemicals, that when out of balance, can lead to addictions. The treatment is easy and cost effective and could soon change the way we assist in treating addictions, compulsive behavior and even attention deficit disorder. Auriculotherapy treatment has already seen amazing results in the treatment and retention rates of addictive behaviors. Addictions are all in our heads. Well, the brain actually. Addictions stem from an imbalance in brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and peptides. So by tapping into six points through the ear to the brain, the chemicals are balanced. "Cravings disappear immediately," according to Dr. Scardino. That includes cravings for cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, sex, drugs and food. For smoking cessation, most people can be totally finished with cigarettes after one to three sessions. However, studies by the CDC indicate that some people may relapse in three months. And research shows that one year smoke free is an indication that you can beat it for life, therefore some may opt for an extended care program. This program consists of three times a week for the first week, then once a week for a month and once a month for a year. The cost is $350 for three treatments.Discounts are avialable for couples and groups quitting together. The first reatment includes a bag of goodies that help support the body as it heals and detoxifies. Our patients have stated the minimal fee far outweighs the cost of cigarettes and related health costs incurred by smokers. Many patients who are under a corrective chiropractic program include the smoking cessation as part of their care. As in acupuncture, auriculotherapy stimulates the brain through points on the ear. Instead of using the traditional needles in acupuncture taking about an hour per treatment, a special tool, the Stim Plus Pro, delivers microcurrents in about 15 minutes per treatment. While acupuncture is widely known for its ability to curb addictions through treatment of the ears, "auriculotherapy is the most sophisticated form of therapy," according to Dr. Scardino. It is an oxymoron to treat substance addiction with the same substances you are addicted to or to switch it with a different substance. Nicotine addiction is harmful whether you get it from a cigarette, patch or lollipop. Instead of using needles to apply to the pressure points, Dr. Jay Holder, a Miami chiropractor and physician, developed a handheld probe that delivers microcurrents to the specific ear points. It is both a diagnostic and treatment tool. Dr. Holder developed the treatment and founded the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders. He also operates a 300 bed Exodus Addiction Treatment Center in Miami. For the past fifteen years, Dr. Scardino has offered auriculotherapy along with a very specialized Chiropractic Technique called Torque Release Technique, which is used to treat subluxations. His office, Scardino Family Chiropractic Center, is located in Newtown PA. "You have to be motivated to quit smoking," said Dr. Scardino. For non smoking addictions such as alcohol, food and drugs, our program is used in conjunction with your current Twelve Step program and counseling. Those programs are still the best things out there and our procedures help relieve the cravings and substance hunger that can derail your progress. Once you have the motivation, the auriculotherapy and torque release technique can offer what willpower cannot - permanent success. Dr. Scardino states that Torque Release Technique and auriculotherapy can also be used to benefit ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, compulsive behaviors, as well as eating disorders. Free educational workshops are offered monthly.
For more information, call (215) 860-7275 today.