Two local professionals offer the secret to stopping smoking during the Great American Smokeout

SAN DIEGO - Nov. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- The American Cancer Society says using two or more measures works better than using any one of them alone. The “Ultimate Smoking Cessation” package will offer a combination of hypnotherapy and acupuncture during the Great American Smokeout week November 17th -21^st.


“Interestingly, a recent 2014 study concluded that hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation.” says Lynn Whitmire, the owner of Advanced Hypnotherapy. “Hypnosis is the single most effective way of giving up smoking. According to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit, an analysis of  results from  more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare various methods of quitting, on average, hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone[ii]”

“When combining hypnotherapy with another strategy like acupuncture the results are even more impressive,” said Cheryl Warnke, founder of Silver Sage Acupuncture. “For example Dr. Joseph Barber conducted a study at the University of Washington, Seattle and found that hypnosis combined with another smoking cessation protocol like acupuncture, could be extremely effective.  At follow up 6 months to 3 years after 91% of the participants reported staying abstinent[iii]. Most people have heard of using hypnosis or acupuncture to stop smoking, yet they don’t realize how successful it is when combined. The most successful pharmacological intervention only has a 44% success rate with most returning to the habit within one year. It is important to educate people about the benefits that acupuncture provides when stopping smoking. Many people who quit smoking experience cravings, irritability, sleeplessness and anxious feelings in the first weeks. Acupuncture and hypnosis can help you deal with cravings and stress, the top two reasons people give about why they were not able to succeed in quitting smoking.”

In conjunction with the Great American Smokeout’s 38^th year, the Ultimate Smoking Cessation program will be offered at a special rate for only $199.00, November 17th to 19th. That’s what the average smoker pays for cigarettes in a month. Participation is limited, so people are encouraged to call to reserve a spot early. For more information visit www.SmokeFreeSanDiego.com or call Lynn Whitmire at 858-270-5756 or Cheryl Warnke at 858-576-7243.

Lynn Whitmire

C.H.T., C.M.T., is the owner of Advanced Hypnotherapy (www.AdvancedHypnotherapyOnline.com ). Lynn has received extensive training in hypnosis, NLP and energy psychology. She is a certified mind-body hypnotherapist. A member of International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association she is a registered hypno-anesthesia therapist and a Certified Master Trainer for the International Association of Counselors and Therapists providing beginning and advanced hypnosis training courses.

Cheryl Warnke

L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., is the owner of Silver Sage Acupuncture (www.SilverSageAcupuncture.com). She has been in practice since 1993 and is a California Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Diplomate National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics, Nationally Certified Licensed Acupuncturist. Warnke was formally educated at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine & traditionally trained by Master Acupuncturists.  She holds a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine - 2014-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.12.012. Epub 2014 Jan 6 Feb;22(1):1

[ii]"Cognitive reactions to smoking relapse", New Scientist, vol 136, pp6.

[iii]University of Washington School of Medicine, Depts. of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2001 Jul;49(3):257-66. Barber J.