Auricular Acupuncture
Photo of Jessica Weaver performing ear acupuncture in a community setting
Auricular acupuncture is a technique in which points on the external ear are stimulated to treat other areas of the body or nervous system. In my private practice, I use ear points in addition to other points on the body. Ear treatments can also be used on their own and are very effective for treating many people at once in community clinics and even disaster areas. I often get asked how ear acupuncture works and why I needle the ears.
Photo of ear acupuncture model
A little history
Although auricular acupuncture has close ties to the Chinese medicine system, the diagrams we currently use were developed relatively recently in France. Dr. Paul Nogier, a French neurologist and physician, developed the map of the ear that we use today. In his practice, he noticed several patients who had a burn scar on a specific point on their ears. He was curious about this, and upon questioning, he found that they had sciatica. Once the ear was burned in a specific place, the sciatica went away. Dr. Nogier decided to do more research into what other parts of the body are related to areas of the ear, and also the appropriate stimulation for each point. He first presented his findings in 1957 and is now considered the “Father of Modern Auriculotherapy.”
Maps of the ear developed by Dr. Paul Nogier
How does it work?
The ear is a microsystem of the body. This means that everything in the body is interconnected and the ear is a self-contained system within the whole. In order for the whole body to be in balance, the smaller systems must also be balanced. Balancing these small microsystems also helps balance the whole system.
The ear is especially useful for diagnosis and treatment because of its innervation and nero-vascular complexes (NVCs). Treatments on the ear work because of their direct connection to the central nervous system and these NVCs. The nervous system is connected to the ear via nerve fibers that are distributed throughout the auricle, or outer ear. The NVCs are points with less electrical resistance. Each NVC is made up of a nerve, a lymphatic vessel, a small artery, and a small vein. These are also connected to a specific organ, area of the brain, or area of the body, which is affected when the point is stimulated.
Ear acupuncture and body acupuncture also help the body manage pain naturally. Hormones called endorphins are released into the bloodstream and cerebral spinal fluid during an acupuncture treatment. These activate our opioid receptors to suppress feelings of pain. Because of this, both ear and body acupuncture are effective for pain management.
When is ear acupuncture used?
Ear acupuncture can be used on its own or as part of a regular acupuncture treatment. Treating the ears is especially useful when groups of people are treated at once. People can sit in chairs and there is no need to remove clothing. This can be done in schools for groups of students, in yoga studios, at health fairs, at private events, and at detox clinics for people who are struggling with addiction. There are protocols, such as NADA, that are used all over the world for community wellness initiatives. It is always important to make sure your practitioner is a licensed acupuncturist or Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.
One place I like to do ear acupuncture on myself is at the dentist’s office during a routine cleaning! The ear needles take the edge off of the pain and discomfort during the visit, and help me calm down too.
How about you? What are your experiences with ear acupuncture? I’m interested to know.
Diagrams used in this blog post are from the Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture, by Terry Oleson.