AcuQuit Frequently Asked Questions
What is your success rate?
AcuQuit® health practitioners are Australian government registered and as a condition of this we cannot use testimonials and/or publish a success rate.
We rely on any potential satisfied customer to promote our laser treatment to others.
Is there evidence that Laser treatment works?
There are many research articles available examining Acupuncture’s role in addiction and the potential for treatment to reduce and eliminate dependency.
Laser Acupuncture had an 84% success rate in recent research (Lim 2018) with many participants reporting they no longer had the urge to smoke. [1]
Laser acupoint stimulation does indeed modify the physical symptoms of withdrawal and makes it possible for motivated persons to succeed in overcoming habitual smoking of tobacco, concluded a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study. [2]
The most recent Cochrane Systematic Review (White 2014) states that the 2008 Kerr study on laser stimulation is strongly positive at both short and long-term outcomes. [3]
Earlier research had shown that Laser Acupuncture had a 71% success rate in heavy smoking patients. [4]
This external research suggests that Laser Acupuncture treatments and protocols may provide beneficial outcomes however other papers did not have the same findings so the evidence is regarded as mixed. The AcuQuit treatment is unique and so treatment methods and results will vary from available research. We encourage patients to make an informed decision knowing that success cannot be guaranteed with our treatment.
Does the treatment hurt?
Some clients may feel the sensation from the low-level laser which is described as a warm, pulsating and sometimes tingling. The Laser treatment itself is non-invasive, non-thermal and drug free. There are no needles used in our treatment so any pain usually associated with Acupuncture needles has been eliminated.
How long does the treatment take?
The overall treatment time is 30 minutes.
What is the cost?
The AcuQuit® treatment costs $495.
Payment is made on the day of your treatment and we accept cash, EFTPOS or credit card.
Do you offer any concessions?
We offer a $50 rebate for all concession / senior / pension and veteran card holders. You will need to present your valid concession card at time of treatment to be eligible.
How many treatments are required?
There is no set amount of treatments required. If one treatment achieves the desired result then there may be no reason to return.
We offer a followup treatment for $195 if you return to any of our clinics up to 4 months after your initial treatment.
Can I use this treatment to Quit Cannabis?
Our treatment is available for those wanting to Quit Marijuana smoking.
Can I have this treatment when pregnant?
Yes. We are able to perform this treatment during any stage of your pregnancy.
Are your practitioners qualified and registered?
Yes. All our practitioners hold a minimum qualification of a four year Bachelors Degree in Health Science. All our practitioners are registered health practitioners with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). All our practitioners are registered Laser Safety Officers and have had extensive training in laser safety protocols. AcuQuit® has been operating since 2010 and each our practitioners have over 10 years experience.
How is AcuQuit® different to other Laser treatments?
It is very important to understand that not all laser treatments are the same. Here are some reasons why we believe we are Australia’s best Laser to Quit Smoking treatment.
- We are Australia’s largest laser to quit smoking company, operating since 2010.
- We are offering a Laser Acupuncture treatment. This is different from just a standard laser treatment as our practitioners have the knowledge to specifically target the exact point location.
- Our practitioners are qualified and competent with each therapist having 10+ years experience.
- Our practitioners are also Australian Government registered health practitioners which means we adhere to very high standards of practice.
- Our treatment is eligible for a partial or full private health fund rebate from 42 health funds including Medibank, Bupa, NIB, HCB and HBA.
Will I gain weight if the treatment is successful?
Recent research by the University of Otago found that quitters were likely to gain a little weight after giving up however their weight bounced back to similar levels of nonsmokers over time. The study also found that smoking does not prevent long-term weight gain. The lead researcher said that they hope that the findings will encourage people who are thinking about quitting. People should not be put off by the fear of putting on large amounts of weight and that it is important to be aware that a small weight gain is unlikely to offset the health benefits of quitting.
Is there anything I should do to before the treatment?
We request that you dispose of all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters in your possession prior to your appointment. (This includes cigarettes in your vehicle and at home). We advise to cease the use of patches, gums and inhalers several days prior to the treatment. We recommend that you have showered and that your feet/lower legs, arms/hands and ears are clean. We will be applying special magnets to your ears which are required to be left on after the treatment for a specific amount of days. If you are planning to wash your hair we recommend doing so prior to your treatment. We recommend that you wear shorts or loose fitting pants that can be rolled up to knee level. Please try to finish your last cigarette at least one hour before your appointment.
I’m still not sure if Laser Acupuncture will help me.
People use patches, gums, inhalers and medication to attempt to quit smoking. Laser Acupuncture is another option available for you to try. We can only offer what we believe is a high quality Laser Acupuncture treatment designed to reduce cravings and stop the addiction.
Where can I leave feedback about this site?
We endeavour to provide accurate information about our treatment on our website. If you believe that there is information that may be inaccurate we encourage your feedback here.
References
[1] Painless Laser Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation. Rodney Choon Huat Lim. Med Acupunct. 2018 Jun 1; 30(3): 159–162. Link
[2] Low level laser for the stimulation of acupoints for smoking cessation: a double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial and semi structured interviews. Catherine M. Kerr, Paul B. Lowe & Neil I. Spielholz. Link
[3] White AR, Rampes H, Liu JP, Stead LF, Campbell J. Acupuncture and related interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014(1):Cd000009. Link
[4] Laser-acupuncture reduces cigarette smoking: a preliminary report. Zalesskiy VN, Belousova IA, Frolov GV. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1983;8(3-4):297-302. Link
