Auricular Acupuncture

Ear acupuncture is a type of acupuncture that involves inserting needles into specific points on the ear. Stimulating these points is thought to promote healing in other areas of the body.

Also referred to as auricular therapy or auriculo-acupuncture, ear acupuncture is often incorporated into standard acupuncture treatments.

 Although ear acupuncture is largely based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (a form of alternative medicine that originated in China), it was developed in the mid-20th century by French scientist Paul Nogier.

Uses

Ear acupuncture is used to improve the body's flow of vital energy (also known as chi or qi) and to restore a balance between yin and yang (two opposing but complementary energies) within the internal organs. In traditional Chinese medicine, each of these effects is considered essential in treating disease and achieving health.

In addition, ear acupuncture is sometimes used to enhance mood, aid in smoking cessation, alleviate pain, promote sounder sleep, relieve stress, and support weight loss.

Benefits

A number of studies suggest that this therapy may aid in the treatment of a variety of health conditions. Here's a look at several findings on ear acupuncture and its potential health benefits.

Insomnia

Several studies indicate that ear acupuncture may help ease insomnia. These studies include a 2003 trial published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, which tested the effects of a form of ear acupuncture that involves using magnetic pearls to stimulate acupuncture points.

For the study, 15 elderly people with insomnia were treated with ear acupuncture for three weeks. Results revealed that participants experienced a significant increase in both the quality and quantity of sleep, with improvements lasting for six months after treatment ended.

Smoking

So far, research on ear acupuncture's effectiveness as a smoking cessation aid has yielded mixed results. In a 2004 study published in the Swiss Journal of Research in Complementary and Natural Classical Medicine, for instance, a survey of 126 people who had undergone ear acupuncture for smoking cessation found that the treatment had a one-year success rate of 41.1%.

According to the study's authors, this success rate makes ear acupuncture "a competitive alternative to orthodox medicine withdrawal methods."

Migraines

Ear acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of migraines, according to a study published in Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research in 2012. Analyzing findings on 35 migraine patients, the study's authors determined that two months of weekly ear acupuncture treatments led to significant improvements in pain and mood.

Post-Surgery Pain

For a report published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2010, investigators sized up 17 studies on ear acupuncture's effectiveness in pain management. The report's authors concluded that ear acupuncture may be effective for the treatment of a variety of types of pain, especially postoperative pain.

Constipation

A research review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2010 suggests that ear acupuncture may aid in the treatment of constipation.