What is Auricular Acupuncture?
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 represents 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 with 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. Its foundations were established by Dr. Paul Nogier, a neurologist working in France in the 1950’s. The field was deepened and expanded by Frank Bahr M.D. and physical medicine specialists in Germany over the following decades.
The map on the ear takes the form of an inverted fetus with the fine details of anatomical, physiological, and emotional representation. The tissue of the ear is unique and has functions in addition to our sense of hearing. The ear is the first organ to develop to its full size and become fully functional by about 18 weeks after conception. It is one of few anatomical structures composed of each of the 3 primary tissue types (endo, ecto, mesoderm) in the developing embryo.
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. He found that the ear holds all of the acupuncture points of the body plus more detailed physiological and anatomical correspondences. Stimulation of these points effectively alleviates 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 also indicate the state of health.
Treatment is performed by needling the active points on the ear and, if necessary, also on the body. Disposable, sterile, stainless steel or gold 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 tape for longer lasting stimulation. 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, addiction, indigestion, autonomic symptoms, and most painful and inflammatory conditions. Some patients feel immediate relief, others after several days Some people feel as if they were walking on air after treatment, and almost all feel very relaxed.
Acupuncture promotes homeostasis and self healing. In short acupuncture stimulates the body to heal itself.
What is the role of Endorphins in Auriculotherapy?
The endorphins, endogenous morphine molecules that relieve pain in a manner similar to external opiate chemicals, have been used as one explanation for how auriculotherapy serves to relieve pain. Both animal research and human studies have shown that stimulation of ear acupuncture points appears to cause the systemic release of endorphins. Administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone partially blocks the analgesia produced by either auriculotherapy or by acupuncture.
Is an electrical point locator necessary for detecting ear reflex points?
More accurate localization of auricular acupoints is achieved by first detecting a point with an electrodermal measurement device. Unlike the wide spaced body acupoints, ear points are only a few millimeters from each other. Moreover, decreased electrical skin resistance at an ear reflex point is one of the primary indicators that there is pathology in the corresponding part of the body. Body acupuncture points demonstrate decreased electrical resistance whether or not there is pathology in any underlying condition.
What are the side effects that occur from auriculotherapy?
Because tenderness of ear points is one of the primary diagnostic features of auriculotherapy, soreness on the ear points stimulated can sometimes continue for up to an hour after the treatment.
What do the needles look like?
The auricular semi permanent needle looks different from body acupuncture needles and comes in three kinds of metals: gold, stainless steel and titanium. These needles are very small and designed to stay in the ear for up to a few days.
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