Back to blog

Ear Acupuncture Therapy

What is Ear Acupuncture Therapy?

Traditional acupuncture uses small needles to stimulate points throughout your body, auricular acupuncture, or ear acupuncture therapy focuses on the application of acupressure or acupuncture treatment that’s limited to your ears.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture is based on the theory that your health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in your body. This energy travels along invisible pathways, known as meridians, that are found throughout the body. According to TCM, a blocked or disrupted flow of qi can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health. Acupuncture aims to restore the flow of qi by resolving any blockages or disruption.

Ear acupuncture is a micro-acupuncture technique similar to acupuncture and was first introduced in the West in the 1950's by Dr. Paul Nogier, a pioneer of modern clinical ear acupuncture. The method has been documented and practicered in ancient China, Egypt, Rome, Greece and the Mediterranean. Nogier's theory uses the ear as a trigger network of points on nerve endings to stimulate brain responses. The ear works as a dynamic whole and may identify specific imbalances within the body. The technique effectiveness includes various biological mechanisms, including certain groups of cells and networks that affect the whole body.

Auricular acupuncture is simultaneously a diagnostic and treatment system based on normalising the body's dysfunction by stimulating specific ear points. The treatment is an effective solution for weight loss management. Long-term studies suggest that the therapy increases metabolic function, promoting body fat consumption, resulting in weight loss. Equally, it treats various ailments such as inflammation, circulatory, digestive problems, insomnia and mental disorders. It's ailments, migraines, smoking, anxiety, acute or post-surgery pain, depression, digestive issues and behavioural health.

What can be treated by ear acupuncture?

Ear, or auricular acupuncture can be used to tackle a range of health concerns, including:

chronic pain, especially lower back pain

migraine

anxiety

insomnia

cancer pain and chemotherapy side effects

weight loss

substance use disorder

depression

digestive issues

allergies

How is ear acupuncture treatment delivered?

John initiates the treatment with a health questionnaire and identifies points requiring stimulation with an electronic device or acupoint finder. Then, a range of pain-free tools is used to stimulate these ear points with different needles, magnetic balls, seeds, cold lasers, or crystals.

The method involves the delicate placement of tiny, ultra-high-quality needles at strategically selected points on the ear to address the specific health concerns individually. The pins or seeds may be removed after twenty minutes and replaced by tiny seeds. According to the patient's needs, the needles may stay on the ear for a few days. Then, according to the patient's progress, the seeds will be removed and revised point selection and stimulation on the next visit will be followed.

According to the patient's individual needs, John may recommend an additional TCM health acupuncture session or other related treatment. In addition, he will compliment his treatment with herbal or nutritional recommendations tailored to the patient's needs.