Laser therapy to quit smoking

Hi Christine. I have been a smoker for about 10 years. I have tried cold turkey, I have tried the gum and the patch and really have not had any success. I have been trying to read up on alternative methods. Does laser therapy really work or is it just snake oil? Thanks.

----Troy

Laser treatment is similar to acupuncture and reflexology in that it directs the laser to certain points on the body to help the body deal with the craving for nicotine. There is some controversy about the effectiveness of laser therapy; this therapy seems to work for some and not for others. It also tends to be expensive, so if you want to experiment with this type of therapy, you might want to try reflexology or acupuncture first. Just be sure you clear it with your physician beforehand.

Like other nicotine craving management tools, such as nicotine replacement patches and gum, and prescription withdrawal medication, laser treatment is designed to help you manage the cravings. What this treatment won’t do is change your habits. The most successful quitters usually combine both craving management and behavior modification. This is where you intentionally do something else, such as take a walk, instead of smoking. The best place to develop a multi-faceted plan is in your doctor’s office. With your doctor’s guidance, decide which withdrawal management tool and behavior modification plan you need and get to quitting.