Have you ever experienced a light touch on your ear, and felt the sensation travel down your spine, or even to your toes? The ear has a plethora of nerves and blood circulation, and this mysterious connection between the ear and the rest of the body has been the subject of intrigue since ancient times. From this curiosity, a system was developed where specific points on the outer ear (auricle) were identified and treated to address whole-body conditions, and Auricular Acupuncture was born. Despite a long period of fading to the backgrounds of history, it has re-emerged to find a place in many important medical applications today.
Earliest use of auricular acupuncture-type practises date almost back to prehistoric times, and evidence can be found in the chronicles of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. It is most recognised as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and this is the foundation that bears the modern practice.
French physician and acupuncturist Dr. Paul Nogier is largely credited for reviving the practice in 1957. Studies that followed found auricular acupuncture to be of immense value in the treatment of pain, trauma, and mental health issues. Consequently, stand-alone ear point protocols were developed for specific applications, such as acupuncture anesthesia, acupuncture detox, and “battlefield acupuncture”.
Successful use of auricular acupuncture-induced anesthesia has been recorded in surgical procedures. This potential has led to acupuncture use being considered for lowering both the need for narcotic drugs, and cost of procedure.
NADA, which stands for the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, might lay claim to the most famous use of ear acupuncture, currently considered to be one of the most effective forms of therapy in treatment of addictions. The “NADA protocol” was developed in the 1970s in a South Bronx medical facility out of a need to find a drug-free alterative to methadone therapy, and is now taught to health professionals around the world as a tool against many types of addictions.
Since first use of the term in 2001, “battlefield acupuncture” has been making waves in the US military. Medical personnel here are currently using a five ear point protocol for cases of acute trauma, chronic pain, and PTSD.
The most recent noteworthy development in auricular acupuncture is its integration alongside Western Medicine in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures. Acupuncture performed immediately before and after embryo transfer in IVF procedures has been clinically proven to significantly improve success rates, and ear points are an integral part of the treatment. In Vancouver, this service is performed on-site at local fertility clinics by trained members of the IVF Acupuncture Group (http://ivfacupuncture.org/).
The biggest pros of auricular acupuncture are that it is simple, cheap, and practical. As the therapy is contained to a small part of the body, it can be performed with a patient in various positions, or even moving around to a small degree. Thus it can be used where other forms of acupuncture may be difficult, like a busy walk-in community centre, or in a patient with compromised motor control. Minimal and inexpensive equipment is involved, with easy set up and high portability. These features also make it easy to incorporate into Western Medicine settings. Auricular acupuncture is a drug-free way to address symptoms, lightening considerations for drug interactions, and bringing great potential in reducing our overall health care costs.
Rebecca Stephens
Dr.TCM, R.Ac., B.Sc.