Auricular Acupuncture
What is it?
Auricular Acupuncture (sometimes referred to as auriculotherapy, ear acupuncture, auricular therapy, or the more advanced auriculomedicine) is a concise and clinically effective therapeutic modality involving stimulation to acu-points located on the ear (auricula).
As the first organ to develop o its full size and become fully functional approximately 18 weeks after conception, the ear is also the first sensory organ to begin working as early as the 8th week in utero. It is a unique sensory organ that not only connects an individual to the rest of the world through hearing, but also serves as an extraordinary and complete system (known as "microsystem") for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of almost every human illness.
This highly specialised system of acupuncture has been traced back to ancient China, Persia, and Greece; however, it was fully developed by Dr Paul Nogier, a medical physician from Lyon, France. Known as the "father of auriculotherapy" Dr Nogier combined his knowledge in conventional medicine (primarily neurology/neurophysiology), manual medicine, and acupuncture to develop Auricular Acupuncture. Initially through clinical observation, and later through research, Nogier found that the entire ear was innervated by numerous cranial and spinal nerves, and in particular the vagus nerve linking the entire structural and functional human body to the auricle.
How does it work?
There are two approaches that can be given in order to understand how the ear may affect the rest of the body, the Chinese medical and the Western Medici cal approach. Chinese Medicine is based on philosophical and theoretical phenomena through thousands of years of observation of people and the universe around them. The concepts of Yin and Yang, the channel system, the notion of Qi or energy and its physiological relationship to blood etc are all involved in the practice of Auricular Acupuncture and Body Acupuncture.
In Chinese Medicine the metaphysical view of the universe and of peoples' interaction with it is the principle focus, even more so than the study of anatomy and physiology.
What to expect from a treatment ?
Susan with Auricular Acupuncture will conduct thorough diagnostic procedures, as appropriate, for the presenting patients' condition. The actual treatment will involve one or a combination of the following: Ear Needles (pain free, stainless steel / gold / silver and single use disposable), ear seeds (magnetic, gold, silver, or herbal), and electrical stimulation (minute frequencies are used for maximum patient comfort), or laser (for specific conditions and children).
Initially auricular acu-points will be found through electrical methods or pulse palpation (a specialist method known as the N-VAS). The treatment will usually last 15 – 20 minutes, however, may be combined with body acupuncture (20 – 30 minutes). Depending on what the presenting condition is will determine the amount of treatment, however, as a guide one can expect anywhere between 2 – 8 sessions.
What conditions can it manage or treat?
Auricular Acupuncture is a clinically proven and inexpensive medical modality. Research all around the world has shown this method to be efficacious in the treatment and management of many conditions, including:
Acute & Chronic Pain:
This may be due to muscular tension, strain, or trauma. Auricular Acupuncture can particularly help in cases of unresolved and chronic pain. Neuralgia (pain involving nerves) is also an established indication for this method; this may include Trigeminal Neuralgia, Sciatica, and associated headaches.
Addictions:
Highly recommended for individuals wishing to quit smoking. Auricular Acupuncture is able to assist not only with associated S/S of stress, irritability etc, but also with the actual cravings associated with nicotine addiction. In addition, Auricular Acupuncture is also renowned for it's assistance in Heroin and Cocaine withdrawal.
Neurological:
Disorders of learning abilities such as ADD / ADHD and dyslexia are very common in today's society, particularly in children. Acupuncture can assist with associated symptoms.
Gynaecological:
Particularly in association with pain and hormonal imbalances. Auricular Acupuncture may assist in infertility treatments and pre-conception care as well.
Other Acupuncture Treatments: