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Auricular Therapy
In Cultures which recognize the influence of the Tao (pronounced DOW and means "the way it works"), the body is viewed as a garden which must be nurtured to its optimal state and cannot be forced. These cultures focus on prevention and maintenance rather than waiting for crisis, viewing the internal organs as the root of emotion and emotions as the root of disease. When the root is nurtured, the fruit is healthy. It is so much easier to maintain health than to fight illness.
Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other areas of the body. The ear holds a microsystem of the body, consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield. Dr. Penfield found that maps of the body exist on the surface, or sensory cortex, of the brain. This same brain map is also projected onto different areas of the body, “microsystems”, and in particular precision, onto the ear.
Ear acupuncture has proven to be an efficient method of treating a wide variety of conditions, from headaches and allergies to addictions and pain disorders. Although acupuncture evolved in the context of Asian medicine, the specialty of ear acupuncture was developed in western Europe. It’s foundations laid by Dr. Paul Nogier, a neurologist working in France in the 1950’s, it was deepened and expanded by Frank Bahr M.D. and physical medicine specialists in Germany over the following decades.
The earliest use of ear acupuncture, like body acupuncture, dates back to ancient China. Auricular acupuncture as we know it today however is largely the outgrowth of work begun by Dr. Paul Nogier, a neurologist trained in acupuncture. He found that the ear holds all of the acupuncture points of the body plus more detailed physiological and anatomical correspondences and found that stimulation of these points were very effective in alleviating pain and other symptoms. When an auricular acupuncture point on the ear is “active” it expresses as increased tenderness on stimulation and a higher electrical conductivity. This indicates pathology in the corresponding body tissue or function and makes auricular acupuncture a useful form of assessment of ailments. The texture, colour, skin changes, veins, etc., in different areas of the ear can be indicators of the state of health.
Treatment is performed by needling the respective points on the ear and, if necessary, also on the body. Disposable surgical stainless steel, or gold or silver plated, needles are used. They are inserted only millimetres under the skin. Small ‘beads’ – metal-plated, magnetic, or vaccaria seeds – are often placed with adhesive plaster for longer lasting stimulation. Children are usually not needled but treated with laser or ear ‘beads’ instead. All signals induced by ear acupuncture travel through a specific part of the brain, the diencephalon, to the corresponding body parts. The body strictly obeys these commands because they come straight from the brain. Thus ear acupuncture takes advantage of the body’s own control center, the brain. All diseases that can be traced back to a disturbed, but not destroyed, organ function can be treated by ear and body acupuncture: migraine, insomnia, depression, addictions, indigestion, autonomic symptoms, most conditions of pain and inflammation. Some patients feel immediately relieved, others need several days before they notice an improvement. Some people feel as if they were walking on air after treatment, and almost all feel very relaxed.
When you experience one session of auricular therapy, you quickly realize why a program is the key to supporting your health journey. A series of 10 sessions, over 10 weeks, are scheduled to accomplish specific health goals for the body. We see this process to be a great compliment to a nutrition program as well. Some health concerns can be resolved with one to three treatments.
Why Choose Auricular Therapy Over Full-Body Acupuncture?
Ear acupuncture is both quicker to perform and can produce quicker responses to therapy, and can provide targeted relief in shorter sessions, making it ideal for patients needing fast relief while minimizing the need for reclining or disrobing. Body acupuncture typically involves longer sessions to balance the body’s energy, which may be better for complex or chronic issues requiring full-body treatment. As auricular acupuncture also typically requires shorter sessions, it is generally cheaper and therefore more accessible.
What to Expect During an Auricular Session
- Consultation. The practitioner will ask about your health and goals, using this information to identify relevant acupuncture ear points.
- Cleaning and Preparation. The ear is cleaned, and points are mapped based on auricular acupuncture surface anatomy.
- Bead Placement. Titanium beads are gently placed onto specific ear points, targeting areas related to your health concerns.
- Relaxation Period. You’ll rest with the beads for about 5 minutes, while chatting with the practitioner, while the therapeutic effects begin to set in.
- Bead Removal. You will return in one week for your next treatment based on the treatment plan discussed with the practitioner. 24 hours before this appointment, you will remove all of the existing beads on your ears and dispose of them.
