Auricular Acupuncture Lincoln Square | Andersonville Chicago

Acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture Points were developed over 3000 years ago in China as part of the traditional acupuncture already in practice, but over time some modifications occurred. After its origination in China, auricular acupuncture spread to other areas of Asia before being introduced to Europe and later in the United States. In the 1950’s Dr. Paul Nogier of France developed several new French auricular points in addition to the original Chinese points. He also developed the acupuncture ear chart or acupuncture map (see photo) that is used currently today and includes the location of both Chinese and French auricular acupuncture points.

Auricular Acupuncture: A Health Care Alternative for Many Ailments

Acupuncture ear points are commonly used in conjunction with a regular acupuncture treatment but can also be used alone (so you would just have needles or seeds on your ear). Ear points can be used on one or both ears as recommended by our licensed acupuncturist. Auricular acupuncture points are located on the outer ear surface (points are never inserted into the ear canal). These points correspond to other areas of the body as represented on the acupuncture ear chart. Auricular acupuncture is thought to work by sending electrical impulse messages to the brain. Ear acupuncture can help treat addiction, detoxifying the body and alleviate symptoms from anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD, weight loss, smoking cessation and pain control.

Auricular Acupuncture Study and Research

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2007 Auricular Acupuncture Treatment for Insomnia: systematic review stated “The rate of success was higher when Auricular Acupuncture was used for enhancement of sleeping hours up to 6 hours in treatment subjects.”

The International Anesthesia Research Society titled Auricular Acupuncture: A potential treatment for anxiety shows “auricular acupuncture at the ‘relaxation’ point can decrease the anxiety level in a population of healthy volunteers.”

Ear Seeds / Ear Beads

Ear seeds or ear beads are typically used following a treatment to reinforce and create longer relief, these ear acupressure points can be pressed to reactivate the point after the treatment and removed by the patient in 5-7 days. The ear beads are made out of either stainless steel or ear seeds from a small seed of the vaccaria plant and are secured by a small piece of adhesive tape.