Ear Acupuncture - what does that even mean?

Chinese medicine may be familiar to you through media, movies, or your experiences. Acupuncture points on the body are often the most recognized type of treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also has many microsystems. A microsystem uses a small area to represent the larger body. In this case, the ear is one of the most well-known systems, particularly outside China. This practice taps into the body's channels in ways like body acupuncture does. Yet this method can achieve balance and wellness using the ear instead of the whole body. It is also possible to extend treatment effects longer.

Why and how ear acupuncture works

Auricular, or ear acupuncture, has been practiced for thousands of years in the East. In the West, it gained popularity due to the work of Dr. Nogier from France. According to classical Chinese literature, ear acupuncture is effective because all channels join at the ear. This approach allows practitioners to influence the affected body region using a matching point on the ear.

Ear acupuncture is unique in its ability to be applied in two ways; treatment can be based on Western symptoms and conditions or from a TCM diagnosis to build the most suitable treatment plan. It is rare when this overlap happens. This, in part, is what makes ear therapies so versatile. Some readers may be familiar with a comparison of the fetus as a representation of the ear. The illustration shows how various parts of the body can be influenced by specific areas of the ear. For clarity, the image below shows the body representations and their corresponding points or areas on the ear.

Creating a plan takes some practice and consideration of matching points and what are called master points. The connection and balanced use of these are what make a treatment or are used to extend the benefits of a treatment. The ultimate goal of auricular acupuncture has always been to be a method to deliver health to as many people as possible by the simplest means.

Effective Uses

Here is a bit more substance, what ear acupuncture can actually treat. Below is a list of Western conditions that may benefit from auriculotherapy. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. It is not intended to serve as a stand-alone treatment plan or a substitute for current therapies:

Conditions:

• PSTD

• Insomnia

• Depression

• Addictions

• Grief (persistent unmanaged loss)

• Sadness or feeling down

• Anxiety

• Pain - joint pain, bloating, distention, various issues

• Fertility - boosting fertility in men and women

• Aiding at various stages of infertility therapy

• hypertension (or hypotension)

• weight loss

• snoring

• digestive issues

• eye disorders

• cognitive disorders or brain fog

Procedural Preparations or Specific Life Events:

• Dental procedures

  • procedural anxiety

  • pain management before, during and after

• During labor and Postpartum

  • at any stage during the labor (but not before!)

  • labor pain

  • anxiety

  • depression

  • excessive lochia

• Pre operative or Post operative pain management or anxiety

It can be surprising the effect, balancing and overall wellness ear acupuncture can offer. It is intended to be easy, accessible and effective. So let's tackle what type of equipment is used.

Types of Ear Gear

Why are we discussing gear in a blog about acupuncture? There are several equipment options to consider. These are important to account for. The primary factor is the goal of care. Depending if you are doing this care on your own, helping a family member, extending treatment and if the condition is acute or chronic. Some materials are easier to use than others.

This therapy can involve use of any of the following:

• acupuncture needles

  • This is clearly the one that will require the greatest degree of skill and training. The needles used in this treatment need to be short and are quickly pressed into place. It may look weird but these won't be affected if you get up and walk around. However, they are not something you can wear and go about your entire life.

  • As an aside - remember earlier when listed this is helpful for addictions? There is a standardized point combination called "The NADA Protocol". This is widely used by professionals working in a variety of social service roles. Roles that do not have authority to insert needles. Check out the link under references.

• semi permanent needles

  • These are not as intimidating as these sound, but do require a bit of additional skill to insert. The needles are in a sterile plastic sleeve that press in, but not through the tissue. It sounds like a piercing and it is a bit like one. These needles are low profile, stay in the ear tissue and can be left in place for 3 to 7 days. Often they will fall out sooner, but some can last. ASP (brand) needs which I think are the most common. They are available in three metal types which influence the energetics of the point. Available in gold, stainless steel, titanium. These were made by Dr. Nogier. Are used like acupuncture needles.

  • When I was first introduced to ASP needles they were referred to as Battle field needles. As these are very popular and common to use in the PTSD protocol. But they can be used in many points of the ear.

• ear seeds

  • These can be metal or an inert plant seed (specifically vaccaria seed). They are complete with a medical grade tape adhesive. The significant key to ear seed performance is these require activation. That means the person wearing them must press or massage the seeds several times a day for benefits. Ear seeds cannot stimulate a reaction without pressing which is different from the first two options

  •  A quick online search and you will have many, many results for do-it-yourself kits. The key is to apply seeds to the points that will meet your needs. I am not encouraging these kits, but with guidance from a professional these can be very accessible.

• massage

  • A wonderful and easy method that can be performed any time to achieve some mild benefit.

  • I mostly use this technique on restless kids whom I wish would sleep, and it often works wonders!!!

Ear gear options are listed in order of what tends to be the most effective and less accessible to the least effective and readily available. Again it depends on your goals, who is receiving the care and what is going to be within reach. I admit I underestimated the value of auriculotherapy at first, but I have seen how much benefit there can be. Plus there is again a range in technique to try to achieve the best possible outcome.

references:

Olsen, Terry. Auriculotherapy Manual Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture. (2003). Publisher Elsevier Health.

Soliman, Nadier. Atlas of Auricular Therapy 3rd ed. (2017). Alternative Medicine Seminars

NADA Protocol details - Using this program you can gain access to authorization to needle specifically for detox/addictions. With a little planning this could be something to add to your practice. I have no affiliation, but this works and it is beautiful. In the face of challenges and barriers...why not try?

https://acudetox.com/