A department at the University of Arizona College of Medicine is receiving a multi-million dollar grant from the National Cancer Institute to train other health professionals to help people to stop smoking. The Department of Family and Community Medicine is getting a $3.1 Million grant for “Project Reach”, which will develop tobacco cessation training specifically for chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists.

“Chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists are in an excellent position to help patients improve their health by supporting them through the process of quitting tobacco,” says Dr. Muramoto, lead researcher for the project. “Tobacco use has been linked with chronic pain, problems with healing and a host of other serious health conditions. Practitioners can talk with patients/clients about how quitting can improve their health and treatment, with the emphasis on health and wellness that complementary and integrative practitioners are known for.”

A recent survey found that 77 percent of the acupuncturists, 58 percent of the chiropractors and 17 percent of the massage therapists ask new patients/clients about tobacco use. Sixty-four percent of the practitioners had no training in helping people quit tobacco and 66 percent were interested in receiving such training. This NCI initiative will develop tobacco cessation training specifically tailored for the needs of complementary and integrative medicine practitioners.

For more information:
http://www.kvoa.com/news/ua-college-of-medicine-dept-gets-grant-for-smoking-cessation-training/