Services
Chinese Medicine Smoking Cessation Programme Using Acupuncture
Service Introduction
United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service offers a free Chinese Medicine acupuncture smoking cessation programme (CMSCP). The programme includes Smoking Cessation Counselling and Acupuncture Treatment, led by registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners (CMPs). It aims to help individuals alleviate various physical and mental discomforts during the quitting process, making it more effective and easier for them to quit smoking.
Principles of Smoking Cessation in Traditional Chinese Medicine
One of the significant challenges in quitting smoking is "nicotine addiction," which leads to various physical and psychological discomforts during the cessation process. Common symptoms include cravings for cigarettes, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anxiety, increased appetite, weight gain, headaches, and dizziness.
Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation
Nicotine addiction affects both physical and mental health, which, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, impacts the "body and spirit." The body represents physical health, while the spirit refers to mental well-being. TCM emphasises the unity of body and spirit. By stimulating acupuncture points, CMPs aim to disperse and unblock the lung qi, regulate and harmonise the spleen and stomach, awaken and calm the mind, soothe the liver to relieve stagnation, and treat both body and mind. This approach helps reduce cigarette cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and improve common respiratory issues associated with smoking.
Modern research has also found that nicotine addiction disrupts the body's normal secretion of "dopamine." Acupuncture can promote the brain's natural release of dopamine, aiding in the restoration of normal function and thereby increasing the success rate of quitting smoking.
Smoking Cessation Counselling
In addition to acupuncture, registered CMPs provide smoking cessation counselling to understand the comprehensive situation of individuals attempting to quit. Tailoring advice to meet individual needs, they apply the principles of TCM to offer the most suitable recommendations.
Eligibility Criteria
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- Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above
- Individuals who wish to quit smoking and are willing to undergo Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture therapy
- Exclusions include pregnant women, individuals with bleeding disorders, and those taking anticoagulant medication (e.g., warfarin).
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Service Included
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- Clinical assessment of the smoker's level of nicotine dependence
- Tailored smoking cessation counselling
- 6 acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation within the first month
- Traditional Chinese Medicine lifestyle adjustment tips
- Regular follow-ups on smoking cessation progress, with timely support provided
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Services are delivered by registered Chinese Medicine practitioners and CMSCP team.
Acupuncture Helps Increase Smoking Cessation Success Rate
Acupuncture has the following benefits that aid in quitting smoking:
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- Reduces cravings for cigarettes
- Refreshing and invigorating the mind and spirit
- Improves sleep quality
- Decreases anxiety and alleviates restlessness
- Regulates digestion and stabilises body weight
- Relieves headaches and alleviates dizziness
- Improves respiratory function
- Reduces coughing
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Service Points
The service covers six UCN Chinese Medicine Clinics in Kowloon and the New Territories.
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- United Christian Nethersole Chinese Medicine Specialty Centre
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Address: 3/F, Block J, United Christian Hospital, 130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
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- Jockey Club Wo Lok Community Health Centre
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Address: Unit 26-33, G/F, Kui On House, Wo Lok Estate, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
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- Sau Mau Ping Community Health Centre
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Address: Unit 313, Sau Mau Ping Shopping Centre, Sau Mau Ping Estate, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
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- Kwong Fuk Community Health Centre
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Address: 19, G/F, Kwong Yan House, Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po, New Territories
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- Fu Heng Community Health Centre
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Address: 4/F, Neighbourhood Community Centre, Fu Heng Estate, Tai Po, New Territories
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- Jockey Club Tin Shui Wai Community Health Centre
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Address: Unit 103, 1/F, Tin Ching Amenity and Community Building, Tin Ching Estate, Tin Shui Wai, N.T.
Enquiries and Appointments:
Hotline: 2152 0183 | WhatsApp: 5608 2183
This program is supported and subvented by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, Department of Health.
