ACUPUNCTURE • ELECTROACUPUNCTURE • AURICULOTHERAPY • PHYTOTHERAPY
BREAK FREE
SAY YES TO LIFE!
Tobacco, one of the worst enemies of health!
Innovative and 100% Natural Method!
Traditional Chinese Medicine · Lisbon
Smoking Cessation with Chinese Medicine
Natural and effective support to free yourself from tobacco dependence
The Decision
The Decision to Quit Smoking
If you are reading this page, you have probably thought — perhaps many times — about quitting smoking. You may have tried before, without lasting success. You may feel that tobacco controls more of your life than you would like to admit. If so, know that you are not alone — and that the difficulty in quitting is not a lack of willpower.
The World Health Organisation considers tobacco the leading cause of preventable death in the world. In Portugal, it is estimated that 1 in 4 adults smokes, representing approximately 25% of the population. Tobacco dependence is not a simple “bad habit” — it is a complex condition involving deeply interconnected physical, psychological and behavioural dimensions.
But here is the good news: quitting smoking is possible — and Chinese Medicine may be the natural support you have been looking for to achieve, this time definitively, a smoke-free life.
Understanding
Understanding Tobacco Dependence
Tobacco dependence is not merely a matter of willpower. It is a complex chemical and behavioural dependency with three deeply interconnected dimensions that need to be addressed simultaneously.
01 · Physical
Nicotine Dependence
Nicotine stimulates dopamine release. Its absence triggers withdrawal symptoms — irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances and increased appetite.
02 · Psychological
Emotional Regulation
Smoking becomes a tool for emotional regulation — a way of coping with stress, anxiety, boredom or frustration, acquiring deep emotional significance.
03 · Behavioural
Automatic Rituals
Smoking is associated with automatic rituals — the morning coffee, the work break, the end of a meal — deeply ingrained patterns that persist even when the physical craving has diminished.
It is this complexity that makes quitting “on willpower alone” so difficult. All three dimensions of dependence must be addressed — and this is precisely where Chinese Medicine can make the difference.
Evidence
The Scientific Evidence
The World Health Organisation recognises acupuncture as an effective intervention for smoking cessation, with studies demonstrating success rates of approximately 75% when applied in a structured and consistent manner.
01
Inhibition of Withdrawal Symptoms
Stimulation of specific points has demonstrated the ability to reduce irritability, anxiety, restlessness and difficulty concentrating — allowing the critical withdrawal period to be navigated with significantly less discomfort.
02
Endorphin Release
Acupuncture promotes the natural release of endorphins with analgesic and anxiolytic effects, partially compensating for the absence of the dopamine that nicotine used to stimulate.
03
Nervous System Regulation
Acupuncture modulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing sympathetic hyperactivation that frequently accompanies nicotine withdrawal, contributing to greater calm and emotional control.
04
Craving Reduction
Studies demonstrate that acupuncture can attenuate “craving” — the intense desire for a cigarette. Many patients report that after a few sessions they no longer feel the urge to smoke.
05
Appetite and Metabolism Control
One of the common concerns about quitting smoking is weight gain. Acupuncture can help stabilise appetite and regulate metabolism, preventing the significant weight increase that frequently accompanies smoking cessation.
Protocol
How Does the Treatment Work?
Step 1
First Consultation — Assessment and Planning
Full Chinese Medicine assessment — tongue observation, pulse palpation, in-depth conversation about smoking patterns, previous attempts, motivations and concerns. We identify each person’s specific behavioural triggers — situations, emotions or times of day when the urge to smoke is most intense.
Step 2
Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy Protocol
Treatment combines body acupuncture — points that regulate the nervous system, balance emotions and strengthen vital energy — with auriculotherapy. Auriculotherapy involves applying small seeds or needles to the ear, with specific reflex points for controlling the urge to smoke, which can remain for several days.
Step 3
Frequency and Duration
We recommend an initial protocol of 8 to 12 sessions, with weekly or twice-weekly frequency during the first four to six weeks — the critical period of greatest discomfort. After this intensive phase, sessions are progressively spaced out, serving as consolidation support and relapse prevention.
Step 4
Personalised Approach
We work according to each person’s preference — abrupt cessation or progressive reduction of the number of cigarettes. Both approaches can be effective — what matters is that the strategy is aligned with each person’s individual characteristics and needs.
Motivation
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. The benefits begin within the first hours after your last cigarette — and continue to accumulate over the months and years that follow.
Health and Longevity
Dramatic reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory conditions and several types of cancer. Living more years — and living them with greater vitality and independence.
Respiratory Capacity
End of persistent cough, reduction of breathlessness, progressive improvement in lung capacity. Climbing stairs, walking and exercising becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Recovered Senses
Smell and taste, dulled by tobacco, gradually recover — allowing you to rediscover the pleasure of tasting food and appreciating aromas.
Appearance and Wellbeing
More oxygenated skin, healthier hair, whiter teeth, fresh breath. End of the persistent smell of tobacco on clothes, home and car.
Freedom and Autonomy
No longer being controlled by the constant need to smoke. Feeling free to travel, visit places or be with people without the constant concern about the next cigarette.
Impact on Others + Financial Benefit
Protecting the health of those around you from passive smoke. And the money saved — a pack a day represents a significant annual expense — redirected towards experiences that enrich your life.
Method
The Five Clinic Approach
At Five Clinic, we understand that quitting smoking is a deeply individual process — no two people have the same pattern of dependence, the same motivations or the same challenges. That is why every protocol is personalised taking into account your smoking history, previous attempts, your specific emotional and behavioural triggers, and the stage of life you are at.
We offer empathetic and ongoing support — without judgement, without pressure, but with the consistent backing that allows you to face the most difficult moments of the process. We also provide practical guidance on managing behavioural triggers, breathing techniques for moments of intense craving, and self-care strategies (Chinese dietetics, movement, sleep quality).
All our specialists hold professional licences certified by ACSS and specialist training in smoking cessation. Our clinic is officially registered with the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) under number 39558/E166752.
The First Step
Today Could Be the Day
The first consultation lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes and includes a full Chinese Medicine assessment and identification of dependence patterns.
Our Brands
About Us
Specialist clinic in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, located in the heart of Lisbon. Since 2012, we have offered personalised treatments with certified professionals.
ERS Registration
No. 39558/E166752
Follow us
Useful Links
Contacts
📍 Address
Avenida Duque de Loulé, 47
3rd Floor, Right
1050-086 Lisbon · Portugal
✉️ Email
[email protected]🌐 Website
www.fiveclinic.pt/enOpening Hours
Monday to Friday:
10:00 — 13:00
14:00 — 19:00
Saturday:
09:00 — 13:00
Newsletter
National & International Associations
📋 Professional Credentials
Company
FIVE CLINIC by FIVEDIRECTIONS
HEALTH & WELLNESS LDA
VAT No.: 513248889
Clinical Director
Dr. Fernando Fernandes
Chinese Medicine Licence: C-006569
Acupuncture Licence: C-0500378
(Issued by ACSS)
ERS Registration: 39558/E166752 | All practitioners hold ACSS professional licences
