By Sharon Gittleman
ROYAL OAK – For the past 30 years, Nancy X, has had a nasty habit she dreamed of putting behind her. Last week, she took her first steps in a new direction.
"I need to quit smoking," said Nancy. "It's time. It's past time."
While thankful she wasn't plagued by the smokers' hack that afflicts so many nicotine addicts, Nancy said she often found herself out of breath after even mild exertions.
Nancy said she took up cigarettes when she was still married to her ex-husband and was living in their home in Ohio.
"Back in the 70s, it was cool," she said. "I was in a smoking crowd. It made you look grown up."
Now divorced and remarried and residing in Michigan, Nancy's family members, friends and acquaintances have long since given a thumbs down to the habit, she said. Her 30-year old son banned smoking in his house.
"You can't smoke anywhere," she said. "Nobody I know smokes. It's a thing of the past."
The changing times are just one of the reasons she decided to toss her packs away for good, she said.
"Number one is health," she said. "Number two is cost. It costs me $40 a week."
Nancy said she's tried everything to get rid of the habit.
"The first time I quit, I tried cold turkey," she said. "I tried the patch twice."
While she managed to stop for over two years some time ago, living among smokers created temptations she couldn't resist, she said.
Nancy decided to try again, this time seeking out the help of Freedom Laser Therapy in Royal Oak. Freedom's laser treatments stimulate people's energy points to help them kick the habit, said anti-smoking advisers at the facility.
"The endorphins released in your body creates a sense of well-being," said Russ Mansfield, a laser therapist at Freedom. "It's like going for a run, but since you're not doing anything physical, your heart doesn't race."
The endorphin rush mimics the feelings people get from smoking, he said.
"After 72 hours, the physical addiction is purged out of your system," said Mansfield. "We send them out with a 30-day supply of a vitamin detoxification regimen, with antioxidants and immune system boosters to help get the healing going."
Before her treatment, Nancy X watched a brief video describing what would happen to her body. She also filled out a form asking how many cigarettes she smoked, when she started and what stifled her previous attempts at quitting.
Nancy got ready for the procedure by reclining on a leather couch in a darkened room in front of a computer monitor that displayed scenes of waves crashing on a Hawaiian beach.
Her laser therapist handed Nancy dark glasses, and sat on a chair next to her couch.
The therapist picked up the laser wand and zapped Nancy for 25 seconds on each of several pressure points, including her wrists, fingers, inner ears, forehead and head.
While the therapist used the wand, a video offered information about the dangers of smoking and how to avoid future temptations.
Nancy said the laser zaps were painless.
"With the very first two or three, I felt the same rush as when I smoke," she said. "I could feel it go to my head."
At the end of her treatment, Nancy was invited to add her name and quitting date to the Freedom "wall of commitment," promising her family and friends she'd never smoke again.
Freedom Laser Therapy is located at 401 S. Washington in Royal Oak. Contact them at (248) 547-5600 for more information or visit their web page at http://www.freedomlasertherapy.com on the Internet.
