The aim of auriculotherapy is to correct imbalances in the body through the ear, which is believed to be a microsystem representing the entire body.
Auricular therapy is a form of acupuncture based on the idea that the outer portion of the ear represents a map of the body. Points on the auricle are stimulated in order to treat conditions of the body. The practice is commonly used to control pain, addictions of all kinds, emotional issues, internal disorders, and other medical problems.
Based on traditional Chinese medicine, specific points of the outer ear and the ear itself are stimulated in order to generate an effect in the body, allowing it to promote and balance some bodily functions.
When a patient has pain in a certain part of the body, for example, the reflex point in the ear's microsystem will present a difference in the electric potential, as opposed to the rest of the adjacent areas. It is not unusual for that point to be painful, as well.
The ear and auricle were mapped out long ago, in traditional Chinese medicine, but Dr. Paul Nogier, of France, expanded the original Chinese charts into a more comprehensive system in the 1950s. While the Chinese texts showed only a few points for specific conditions, the expanded charts were a micro-map of the entire body, with all body parts represented, allowing therapists to evaluate and treat all parts of the body.
Auriculotherapy is an FDA approved complementary treatment for more than three hundred and fifty diseases, as well as for the alleviation of chronic pain, addiction, insomnia, and other problems, including weight management, the treatment of depression, and even acne treatment. The World Health Organization recognizes auriculotherapy as a treatment option for more than a hundred and fifty conditions.
The process of stimulating certain parts of the ear can be carried out in a number of ways, including applying massage using the fingers, applying ear seeds, performing auricular acupuncture, moxibustion, electrostimulation, or via infrared light.
Ear seeds are the size of a tiny seed, made of a variety of materials, which are attached to the ear using small pieces of adhesive tape. Resembling small earrings, ear seeds provide a low-level form of acupuncture, which may be boosted by applying soft pressure with a finger. Ear seeds were used by the Chinese thousands of years ago, although they originally used seeds from the Vaccaria plant, which are still used by some practitioners today.
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy using the burning of mugwort leaves, a plant material known as moxa, on or near the skin. Traditional Chinese medicine also used moxibustion on acupuncture points. Generally, indirect moxibustion is used, in which the practitioner holds the moxa cone about an inch from the ear, removing it once the skin become red and warm. Sometimes, an insulating layer of salt or garlic is used between the cone and the skin.
Auriculotherapy is also known as auricular therapy, ear acupuncture, and auriculoacupuncture.
Although the World Health Organization announced, in 1990, that auricular therapy is "probably the most developed and best documented, scientifically, of all the micro-systems of acupuncture and is the most practical and widely used," the practice is often dismissed as pseudoscience.
Recommended Resources
Acupuncture and Auricular Therapy and Auricular Medicine
Presented in order to advance the understanding and practice of acupuncture, auricular therapy, and auricular medicine, the site highlights integrated medicine seminars and educational programs on auricular therapy, with online registration and an introduction to the instructor available. Books, ear charts, hand charts, and atlases may be purchased online. Links to other online resources are featured, and a telephone number and email address are provided.
https://www.auriculartherapy.com/
American Auricular Training Institute
Founded by Dr. Nader Soliman in 1993, the AATI provides courses designed to integrate auricular medicine, auricular therapy, and homeopathy into biomedical and medical acupuncture practices. Located in Rockville, Maryland, the Institute's class schedules are published on the site, which includes a profile of the school and its programs, the requirements for auricular certification, a list of practitioners, and contacts. A gallery of photographs and an introduction to Dr. Soliman are included.
https://www.auricularmedicinecertification.com/
Auriculo 360 is a 3D auriculotherapy reference application available for use on smartphones, tablets, and computers. Accessible through Windows, Mac, Android, or Apple devices, the software features more than 200 protocols, over 270 auricular points, left and right ear views, and clinical information about every point and protocol. Practitioners can easily rotate, move, zoom, and manipulate the digital ear, access a point and protocol library, and create custom points and protocols.
https://www.auriculo360.com/
Auriculotherapy Certification Institute
The ACI was established in 1999 to provide training and certification in auriculotherapy, which requires demonstration of courses taken in auriculotherapy, an objective written test, a practicum examination, and verification of clinical cases for twenty patients who have been seen for auriculotherapy, auricular acupuncture, or ear reflexology. A course calendar, an overview of the program, and a certification request form are presented, along with a directory of practitioners.
https://www.auriculotherapy.org/
Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine
CIAM offers training, information, certification, and guidelines for professionalism in auriculotherapy, intended for educational purposes, and not to replace the medical advice of doctors or other healthcare providers. For practitioners, the site offers information about online and on-site training, training and practice materials, and other resources. Patients can find a list of practitioners, research data, a blog, and information about ear stimulation sessions.
https://www.thecollegeofauricularacupuncture.com
College of Auricular Acupuncture, The
Offering training in auricular acupuncture, a microsystem of acupuncture, the goal of the College is to promote the practice in the United Kingdom through an immersion training program that can culminate in the Comprehensive Diploma in Auricular Acupuncture, whose emphasis is on the development of the necessary practical skills. Recognized as a Centre of Excellence by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), its courses are outlined here, and contacts are posted.
https://www.thecollegeofauricularacupuncture.com/
Founded by Elie Goldschmidt, the Academy offers on-demand, online classes, live workshops, and an advanced Master Certification Course in auriculotherapy. Available is a 13-week online training program on ear seeds and auriculotherapy, an ear seeds research class, a 2-hour intensive live course, an EarSeeds marketing class, and several other training workshops, between one to three hours each, available to registered students. Links to an online shopping site are included.
https://www.earseedsacademy.com/
Offering textbooks, ear charts, and online video presentations by Dr. Terry Oleson on the subject of auriculotherapy and ear acupuncture, the material is designed to prepare practitioners for obtaining certification in the field through the Auriculotherapy Certification Institute. Based in Los Angeles, California, contacts are provided along with a calendar of events, a PDF syllabus, online videos, clinical forms, research studies, a list of reference books, and links to book sales sites.
https://www.auriculotherapy.com/
Featuring a list of upcoming courses on auricular medicine in Canada and the United States, course schedules, details, and online enrollment. Also featured are the five entry points for the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM) training in auricular medicine, as well as its introductory courses, advanced courses, core courses, certification courses, which may be paid for online, and several free introductory courses. A login may be required for full access. Testimonials are included.
https://www.integrateauricular.ca/
Pointoselect Digital, from Miridia Technology, combines positive and negative point detection, advanced treatment protocols, and preset frequencies in one device, useful in finding points in auricular therapy in acupuncture. Included is a guide to the device, online sales, and an online training course, as well as a list of features, specifications, and a FAQ. Other videos on auriculotherapy and tools to be used in the technique, and accessory products are also offered.
https://www.pointoselect.com/
