Community Acupuncture Clinic

Below is an article written by Fernando Bernall on the acupuncture protocol developed by Dr. Michael Smith of Lincoln Detox at the South Bronx, NY. The Lincoln Detox program is currently promoted by NADA The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association. An article By Dr. Smith on this subject can be found at: CounselorMagazine.com

Community Acupuncture Clinic offers this support system to anyone who is currently attending substance abuse support groups and wishes to add acupuncture to his or her current sobriety support program. A fee of $15.00 is suggested for each session.

Based on the techniques created by Michael Smith of Lincoln Detox Center in the South Bronx, NY., and the NADA protocol, Auricular Acupuncture has proven to be an effective method for the treatment of various types of substance abuse.

In 1972, a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong, Dr. H. L. Wen, was preparing a patient for surgery using ear acupuncture as an analgesic method. The patient, who coincidentally was suffering from withdrawal symptoms from opium, informed Dr. Wen that his withdrawal symptoms had subsided. In light of this information, Dr. Wen tested the procedure on other patients with similar addictions and to his surprise their symptoms diminished as well.

It was then that acupuncture’ efficacy for the treatment of drug addiction where discovered and opened new avenues for research in the field of Addictionology.

Dr. Wen’s discovery attracted the attention of Dr. Michael Smith of Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx, New York City.  Dr. Smith was involved in Methadone treatment and was searching for an alternative treatment for heroin patients.

Dr. Smith started to use Dr. Wen’s technique and gradually refined it to the present five points protocol.  Time and experience has shown that the use of these points can decrease the craving for drugs and alcohol, reduce withdrawal symptoms, relieve tension and help patients relax.

These five points are:

1. Sympathetic
2. Shenmen
3. Kidney
4. Liver
5. Lung

The question is often asked as to the underlying mechanism through which these points exert their effect on the patient. The number of possible answers is beyond the scope of this article and, honestly, no one really knows. We can speculate about the role of several cranial nerves that originate in the brain stem and innervate the ear. It is thought that stimulation to these auricular nerve branches, generate a neural chain of events responsible for the feeling of relaxation experienced by the patient.

Indeed, research has demonstrated that acupuncture can influence the neurochemical pathways of the brain. In particular, those of the mesolimbic system. This area is involved in the mechanism responsible for reward and pleasure. Microdialysis and blood samples from laboratory animals have shown an increase of endogenous opiates in the central and peripheral nervous system after acupuncture stimulation.

The NADA protocol is a very effective adjunct modality for the treatment of substance abuse as the testimonies of hundreds of ex-addicts from Lincoln Detox and other similar institutions, attest to the treatment’s efficacy.