Alcohol Detoxification with Acupuncture

Long before alcoholism, for most people there was a time when they didn’t actually like the taste of liquor. Over time, the body got used to the alcohol and eventually became chemically and/or emotionally dependent on it. One of the things acupuncture can do is stimulate certain chemicals in the body that help it return to its natural state of disliking the taste of alcohol again. When the body doesn’t “want” alcohol, it’s a lot easier to stay away from it.

Alcohol Detox: The Process

When a patient comes in for alcohol detox (or other forms of detox), we talk about their reasons for drinking. We talk about the details of consumption now — as well as in the past. Once I fully understand the nuances of that particular patient situation, we begin slowly easing into the detox process. We reduce the alcohol intake slowly while beginning with the acupuncture treatments. We use acupuncture to stimulate the body’s liver to help with the detoxification and eliminate toxins easier and faster. We use acupuncture to help the patient get out of the “stuck” patterns and lifestyle of drinking and for their energy to begin following again in ways that support change. We balance weak meridians, increase strength and inner strength … and often through doing so increase self-worth and will. We further reduce any emotional dependency on alcohol (or drugs) by helping the patient feel different in their body —feel as they did before addiction.

Acupuncture Detox Beyond Alcohol

Acupuncture is amazing support for detoxification from drugs such as cocaine as well as smoking and sugar addictions. In these cases, acupuncture helps balance the chemicals in the brain so that the patient doesn’t have the same urges and cravings.

I worked with a senior who began smoking at age 19. After a lifetime of trying, he finally quit with the help of acupuncture. Our work together was both about balancing the body and helping him find the habits and activities in life to replace the time he used to spend smoking. Another patient had a serious sugar addiction, and as her body chemistry changed from the acupuncture treatments, her cravings ceased. We supplemented the acupuncture with conversations about nutrition so that she would know how to eat differently (and think differently about food) once the cravings were completely gone.

Detox and withdrawal symptoms would be a challenge for even the most mentally and physically fit person. Fortunately, acupuncture is there to simplify and accelerate the detoxification process, while improving overall health at the same time.

All of these patients ultimately got pregnant, but they all came in for very different reasons:

The Endometriosis Patient

This woman came to Eastern Medical Center experiencing intense pain from a recent surgery. On a scale of 0-10, she said her pain level was a “10.” All she wanted from acupuncture was some pain relief — and after one treatment she reported an “90 percent” reduction of her pain. She returned one more time to get rid of the rest of that pain for good.

Once she wasn’t dealing with excruciating pain, she was again clear and relaxed enough to consider, and talk about, her other health goals. The big one revolved around fertility. She wanted to get pregnant, but physicians had told her that it would be difficult for her to get pregnant considering her endometriosis condition. We started addressing that through acupuncture by removing blockages and increasing blood flow. The acupuncture helped stimulation to the uterus and vascularize the lining and keep the area open from obstructions or imbalances. We strengthened her energy so that she could hold the pregnancy. And soon after, she got pregnant!

The Arthritis Patient

This woman came in with arthritis in her hands. As that condition improved with acupuncture, she mentioned that she wanted to have another child but had a very particular concern: She once had an abortion that might affect a new pregnancy. From an Eastern medical perspective, this abortion left a bruise, stagnant blood that we wanted to get rid of so that the energy could flow properly again. We also didn’t want there to be any cellular memory of the abortion to be there, as that could increase the possibility of a miscarriage. She was already exercising regularly, which was a big help. So, we used acupuncture for stimulation, blood circulation and good energy flow through the meridians in her body to help boost her metabolism. After four treatments, she got pregnant and we kept working together to support her body and prevent any problems throughout the pregnancy.

The ‘Cravings’ Patient

This woman wanted to lose weight and needed help with the various addictions in her life. Through acupuncture, we helped her stop smoking, reduce her cravings for junky foods and reduce her appetite. Yet, she still wasn’t seeing the weight loss she wanted. An investigation into that concern revealed that she wasn’t losing weight because she, in fact, had gotten pregnant! So, our acupuncture started focusing on alleviating “morning sickness” and helping her body feel good throughout the pregnancy.

Many women experience morning sickness because of energetic weakness. Energy is meant to go down through the stomach channel. But when there’s a bulge and if the body is weak, the energy tries to go down but fails … and begins to reverse flow. And when what’s supposed to be going down reverses flow and comes back up, that’s what morning sickness looks and feels like.

Acupuncture is a tremendous resource for dealing with the various conditions women experience when pregnant — from food cravings to morning sickness to arthritis, swelling and migraines. Sometimes a woman’s body runs so hot during pregnancy that no amount of air conditioning will give her relief. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs help her reduce those problems naturally, without medications.

So, if you or someone you care about either wants to get pregnant or is concerned about ensuring a healthy pregnancy, please contact me at Eastern Medical Center to see how acupuncture can help. And if any of the other conditions mentioned in this post (endometriosis, arthritis, addiction, intense pain) ring a bell, we’d love to help with that, too.

It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Acupuncture can be a powerful tool when it comes to detox from alcohol.  Do you remember your first drink of alcohol? Chances are that you didn’t really like it. That’s because your body was balanced. But when you get out of balance, you get addicted to things that aren’t natural. Do you know anyone addicted to broccoli or apples? I doubt it. But anything unnatural such as alcohol, coffee or sugar is easy to get addicted to.

When you balance the body, it returns to its natural state and doesn’t crave these substances. When you activate certain points, it helps release toxins stored in the body and relax the mind.

Acupuncture can also work to reduce detox withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness or anxiety. Stimulating specific points will bring you calm, balance and relaxation that can help calm your symptoms and make it easier to go through the detox process.

When you come to a session with me, we’ll talk about your particular situation and goals. I’ll check your tongue and pulse, which tells me about your overall health and then decide on a treatment plan.

Supporting your detox with a healthy diet, lots of water and positive mental changes can be a profound way to release yourself from alcohol addiction.

So whether you want to kick the alcohol habit for the first time, you’ve tried everything else and you don’t know where to turn, or you want an adjunct to support your detox, come in for acupuncture and kick the habit for good.