In 1982 the Chinese Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion founded the national coordination group of ear acupuncture. Since then there have been numerous studies and thesis’ published relating to ear acupuncture, known as Auriculotherapy or auricular acupuncture. Ear acupuncture has gradually developed into a form of treatment whereby micro needles are inserted into certain points on the ear and left there for up to a week, during this time the patient is expected to massage these points himself. It is a painless procedure and can offer many benefits to those with addiction problems.
Auricular acupuncture for treating addiction
Studies and Scientific research have shown that addiction, withdrawal, and recovery are related to chemicals in the brain such as opioid peptides and to stress-regulating hormones in the body. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recognized electrical devices used in auriculotherapy and acupuncture needles as medical devices, therefore is an accepted form of treatment.
Auriculotherapy treats Pain:
- Smoking addiction
- drug and alcohol addiction
- eating addiction
All the above are addictions and all can benefit from ear acupuncture.
Studies have also shown that ear acupuncture can:
- Relieve lower back pain during pregnancy and posterior pelvic pain
- Relieves lower back pain the the elderly
- Can help prevent and heal flu and the common cold using a combination of acupressure and acupuncture
- Lowering stress levels
- Sciatica
auriculotherapy and treatment points
Additionally, Acupuncture stimulation has been recognized as an alternative therapy for substantial improvement of cardiopulmonary function. Studies show that auricular stimulation enhanced the physical capabilities of athletes and improved aerobic function. There is evidence that auricular stimulation could improve the performance results of athletes who are devoted to marathons, 400 meter sprints, and 800 meter long distance runs. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in studies in body temperatures of athletes before and after auricular stimulation. Previously the rising body temperature was reported to increase enzyme activities, muscular blood volume, oxygen intake and the time between contraction and relaxation of muscles to enhance performance and avoid injuries.
Although acupuncture has been a recognized form of treatment in China for three thousand years, ear acupuncture has been developed mainly outside of China. It was this form of ear acupuncture that interested Dr. Nogier in the early 1950′s. Some of his patients had received ear cautery and obtained relief from pain, Dr. Nogier then began to investigate and develop this form of treatment. He soon produced an ear map and since the early 1950′s he has refined and developed this technique. One of his earliest findings was that if there was pain in the body then the equivalent part of the ear also became painful.
There are however, some ancient Chinese manuscripts that mention the use of using the external ear for acupuncture, but traditional classic Chinese acupuncture mainly applies to the body. The detailed ear map that is now being used by most acupuncturists was developed by Dr. Paul Nogier in France in the early 1950′s.
Ear cautery a form of ear acupuncture was known to the ancient Egyptians. evidence of this has been found in the pyramids; these were used for burning or scarring specific ear points for conditions like sciatica. Hippocrates also mentions that the external ear could be used to treat conditions such as impotence. Zactus Lusitanus, a Portuguese doctor, In 1637 described the use of auricular cautery for sciatica.
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