Acupuncture for Addiction?

Starting February 3, Head to Toe is pleased to offer NADA group treatments on a weekly basis. Walk-ins welcome:
Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m.
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. (excluding February 10)
Only $20/treatment or $100 for 6 treatments

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, Yin and Yang are the opposite yet interrelated ‘sides’ of existence. Yin typically represents dark, cool, stillness, fluid, rest, etc; while yang represents properties that are light, hot, dry, active, and moving. These properties feed each other and can only exist in relation to each other – think of dark and light, light is light in relation to dark, if there were no dark, there would be no ‘light’!

In a healthy body, Yin and Yang exist in a relative state of balance. However, in our fast paced, high stress, Westernized society, people frequently become relatively deficient in the grounding Yin properties.  This is seen in an extreme state with people who have substance or behavioral addictions, which also drain Yin energy. People with these compulsions often manifest a set of symptoms referred to as ‘Empty Fire’ – symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, agitation, insomnia;  all Yang-like symptoms resulting from a relative lack of the still, calm, nutritive Yin like properties.

Acupuncture works for addictions by stimulating the body to restore the Yin-Yang balance,  calming the symptoms of Empty Fire and therefore reducing the compulsion to use or engage in the addictive behaviour. Auricular acupuncture helps to treat addiction and nourish the Yin by stimulating 5 points in each outer ear. Three of these points- the kidney, lung and liver points are associated with their organs functions of detoxification and elimination ; processes which often become strained through substance abuse and are necessary to remove the toxic by-products generated by this use. The remaining points, called the Sympathetic and Shen Men points, serve to balance the nervous system and restore Yin-Yang equilibrium.

This five-point system, often referred to as ‘acu detox’ or the NADA protocol , was developed by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). The NADA protocol evolved through clinical observation suggesting that needling these five points on the ears  was equally, if not more effective, than whole body acupuncture in the treatment of the addictions.

A NADA session typically involves needling the five points in both ears, and leaving the needles in for 30- 60 minutes while clients relax quietly in a shared space. While individual experiences vary, maximum benefit is usually derived through receiving multiple treatments/week, for up to eight weeks.

This protocol is appropriate for almost all individuals; while commonly used by those actively seeking support for cessation of a specific addiction, it has also been found beneficial for those suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and is useful for anyone striving to make a healthy behavioural change.

For more information on the NADA protocol itself, please visit http://www.acudetox.com

-Katie Weststrate, ND