Tia Dunn

Smoking update: This is hard, despite Allen Carr’s “there’s nothing to give up” philosophy. Feeling in need for a booster I went along to Sen on South Molton Street for a quick-fix smoking cessation acupuncture session. Dr. Zhou (pronounced Jo) spoke no English so the consultation was between me, her, and an interpreter. Zhou took my pulse in both wrists, looked at my tongue, and asked me if my energy level was low (yes), if I felt bloated after eating (often), and if I had digestion problems (sometimes). She then explained that acupuncture can treat many symptoms at the same time and works on both body and mind. For smoking cessation 1-2 sessions a week are recommended for at least a month. This was session one. I was taken to the oh-so-relaxing treatment room where needles were placed in my forehead, scalp, hands, wrists, stomach and lower legs. Then I was left with meditation music and some kind of heated instrument pointing at my belly. I drifted in and out of sleep, thoughts ran here and there. The noise of my world slipped away. When she came back to remove the needles she vigorously massaged all of the areas that had been punctured, as well as areas that hadn’t been… the ear massage was the best! When I left I could already tell that my digestion had shifted, my energy was sky-high, and stress level zero. Thanks to their 3 for 2 offer I bought three bottles of their “happy pills” and headed out towards Oxford Street. This would be a test. Could I keep my new Sen Zen even along Oxford Street’s hustle? Yes! I drifted through it, hardly noticing other people. Feeling slightly peckish but attempting a raw diet I wondered into the Selfridges Food Hall and stumbled upon their new Raw counter. Amazing! Now I have no excuse to break from the raw at lunchtime. When I got home I switched on the radio and “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem was playing, immediately transporting me back to the streets of New York where I first started listening to that album. Just as quickly as that my nicotine craving was back. Music is a powerful thing, perhaps they should use it in medicine (“Your Brain on Music: The Science of an Obsession” by Daniel J. Levitin). Tonight the music beat the acupuncturists’ needle and while writing this post I ran out and bought a pack of ten. Oh well, I still have my “happy pills” and tomorrow is another day…