All Ears… an intro to auricular acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture, or acupuncture focused on the points in the ear, is an easy and popular path to time and cost-effective acupuncture treatment. For those who may be “acu-curious”, ear acupuncture is a great introduction to the power of Chinese medical treatments. Ear acupuncture is a simple, yet potent treatment grounded in ancient wisdom and expanded upon by modern science. Auricular acupuncture has always been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there is also evidence that ear therapies were used in ancient Egypt and medieval Europe. Auricular acupoints were further studied, mapped, and more broadly applied by modern Western physicians starting in the 1950s and continuing into recent decades.
Practically speaking, auriculotherapy is easy to provide in a variety of settings and is generally safe and effective for almost everyone. It’s very popular in community acupuncture circles, where several people can be treated at the same time in the same space. This makes it a great addition to group therapies and other group sessions like training, education, or exercise classes. But perhaps the most exciting of all, auricular acupuncture can be done “to-go” with long-term needles that can stay in for days, and it can even be done without needles using special seeds. Auriculotherapy is a treatment you can take with you!
Here are just some of the clinical benefits of auricular acupuncture:
Pain Relief: Auricular acupuncture is helpful for headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and chronic pain conditions. Stimulating specific points on the ear may help release endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals.
Stress Reduction: Many people find auricular acupuncture to be relaxing and stress-relieving. It helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, leading to a reduction in stress and anxiety levels.
Addiction /Cravings: Auricular acupuncture is commonly used as part of addiction treatment programs. The National Auricular Detoxification Association (NADA) has a well-established 5 needle protocol to reduce cravings, improve well-being, and reduce the uncomfortable side effects of substance withdrawal.
Weight Loss: Some practitioners incorporate auricular acupuncture into weight loss programs. Some points can be stimulated that are associated with appetite regulation and metabolism, which may control cravings and support weight loss efforts.
Improved Sleep: Auricular acupuncture may help improve sleep quality and treat insomnia. By balancing the nervous system and promoting relaxation, auricular acupuncture can help improve the quality or quantity of sleep.
Mental Health: Auricular acupuncture can be a complementary or adjunct therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Balancing and regulating neurotransmitters, can dramatically lessen symptoms and promote overall emotional well-being.
Allergies: There is a particular protocol, Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) which research shows reduces or eliminates drug, food, and environmental allergies. Most notoriously in the past few decades, this treatment has been used for Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to meat that is usually associated with tick bites.
General Wellness: Many people report feeling a sense of feeling better and more positive overall. Acupuncture is well-known to induce the body’s natural healing and balancing mechanisms. It can help promote harmony within the body's energy systems and support general health and vitality.
To learn more, check out these links:
https://www.wellandgood.com/what-is-auriculotherapy/
Here is a link to some research:
https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.0010
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6604909/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31297168/
I will be adding some Auricular Acupuncture sessions with some of my community partners over the next few months. Stay tuned, or click here to find out more about any scheduled community ACU events. If you’d like to experience some auricular acupuncture yourself during a private session click here!
