Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, ear acupuncture, or auriculoacupuncture is a form of alternative medicine based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem with the entire body represented on the auricle, the outer portion of the ear. Ailments of the entire body are assumed to be treatable by stimulation of the surface of the ear exclusively.

What is Auricular Acupuncture?

Auricular Acupuncture whilst originally based upon the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture, has its origins in Modern Europe. In 1957 Dr. Paul Nogier, a neurologist from Lyons in France, observed a locum doctor treating sciatica by cauterising an area of the ear. This prompted extensive research culminating in the development of the somatopic correspondence of specific parts of the body to the ear based upon the concept of an inverted foetus. Dr. Nogier believed that needling, massaging or electronically stimulating the corresponding region of the ear could alleviate pain and other symptoms in the body.

There are over 200 acupuncture points on the ear, each point named after an area of our anatomy with the belief that the outer ear acts like a switchboard to the brain. As each acupuncture point is treated it triggers electrical impulses from the ear via the brain, to the specific part of the body being treated.

Clinical Reports have demonstrated that acupuncture

• Stimulates the production of pain modulators
• Regulates blood pressure
• Regulates seratonin
• Regulates the sympathetic nervous system
• Enhances the immune system
• Reduces the allergic response

How is Auricular Acupuncture used?

Auricular Acupuncture is widely used throughout the United Kingdom to treat people with a variety of conditions. It is most commonly known for the treatment of smoking cessation, weight loss and substance misuse, and has been growing steadily since the 1970’s. It is now considered to be the standard acupuncture treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, however it forms the basis of a number of protocols used in the treatment of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Pain Management.

One of the significant advantages of Auricular Acupuncture treatment is that it is complementary to conventional treatments and easily integrates into a variety of multi-disciplinary programmes.

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