About Auriculotherapy
Auriculotherapy, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a profound healing modality that posits the ear as a complete microsystem of the entire body. By stimulating specific points on the outer ear, it can address a wide array of health conditions.
A pivotal advancement occurred in 1957 when researchers observed that the ear's topography remarkably mirrors an inverted fetus. This discovery revolutionized the field, leading to the highly organized and effective practice known as auricular acupuncture (AA). Notably, the ear boasts the highest concentration of acupuncture points found anywhere on the body.
With a rich history spanning over 2500 years, auricular therapy employs various techniques, including acupuncture and ear seeding, to activate these powerful points.
Auriculotherapy is supported by scientific research and is a strong, effective way to improve overall health.
The ear resembles an upside-down fetus.
FMRI Imaging
With new technology called the FMRI (Functional magnetic resonance imaging) an abundance of studies have been published within the last decade. These studies have shown that acupuncture indices different effects on the human brain as displayed through use of FMRI machines.
FMRI studies show auriculotherapy affects the brain and can be used to:
Decrease pain by Increasing endogenous opioids: (enkephalins and endorphins- Which are stronger than morphine!)
Increasing serotonin- a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness.
Protect the brain- Has neuroprotective effects :Inhibits neurodegeneration. (Via expression and activation of brain derived neurotrophic factor -BDNF).
Reduce blood flow to the amygdala (fear centre of the brain) and Increase cerebral blood flow.
Reduce blood flow to the prefrontal cortex. (Pain processing, overthinking over analyzing part of the brain).
Increase nitric oxide levels resulting in increased local circulation. (Has vasodilation effects).
Anti inflammatory effects: by decreasing levels of pro inflammatory cytokines In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
Ways To Stimulate Ear Points
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EAR SEEDS
Ear seeds provide a gentle, needle-free form of auriculotherapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They stimulate specific ear points to support physical and emotional health by applying continuous pressure on nerve endings, triggering the brain to release natural endorphins that relax the nervous system and reduce pain. AcuKITS™ use latex-free vaccaria seeds, chosen for their long-standing traditional use in stimulating ear acupuncture points.
AcuKITS™ includes 600 latex-free, sterile seeds for one-time use only and can be worn for up to 5 days maximum.
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PRESS TACKS
Press tacks deliver a significantly stronger stimulation compared to standard ear seeds, making them a preferred choice for those seeking more intense and focused acupressure benefits. They are designed to ensure a deeper engagement with the auricular points, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
AcuKITS™ uses latex-free, stainless steel, sterile press tacks for one-time use only and can be worn for up to 3 days maximum. Must be purchased separately.
The Science
The ear is an exceptionally complex organ, distinguished by its diverse embryological origins. It develops from all primary germ layers of the embryo—neural crest, mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm—making it a unique representation of the body's entire tissue spectrum.
This intricate development results in a structure rich in small bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and membranes. Our understanding of treatment modalities like auriculotherapy is fundamentally rooted in this complex developmental process and the ear's remarkably dense nerve supply. It is this comprehensive integration of embryonic tissues and extensive innervation that underpins the ear's exceptional capacity to act as a microsystem for the entire human body.
Research has meticulously mapped the ear's innervation, revealing contributions from several cranial nerves, including the Trigeminal (V), Facial (VII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), and particularly the Vagus (X) nerve via its auricular branch. Furthermore, cervical spinal nerves, such as the great auricular nerve (C2, C3), also contribute significantly to this network. This rich neural tapestry provides direct communication pathways to the central nervous system and, consequently, to various parts of the body.
The scientific understanding of auriculotherapy is deeply rooted in this anatomical and neurological foundation. The discovery in 1957 by Dr. Paul Nogier that the ear's topography resembles an inverted fetus was a monumental step, providing a systematic map for auricular acupuncture points. Subsequent research has focused on validating this somatotopic representation. For instance, neuroimaging studies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have demonstrated that stimulating specific points on the ear can elicit corresponding activations in brain regions associated with the target body parts or functions, providing objective evidence for the ear's role as a microsystem.
Further research explores the mechanisms by which auriculotherapy exerts its effects. The prominent role of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, for example, has led to significant interest in auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for conditions ranging from epilepsy and depression to pain management. Studies in these areas aim to elucidate the precise neural pathways and neurochemical changes involved. This ongoing research continues to refine our knowledge of the ear's complex structure and its profound therapeutic potential, reinforcing why its unique development and extensive innervation make it such a powerful conduit for healing.
The WHO Supports Auriculotherapy
In the 1990s, international standards for auricular therapy were created with help from the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, Auricular Acupuncture Points (AAPs) were recognized as a model for how the brain is organized. This understanding came from studying the connections between ear zones and their brain counterparts. The WHO supports auriculotherapy by:
Standardizing names, points, and locations for auricular therapy after collaborating with doctors from Asia, Europe, and America in 1990.
Promoting a consistent naming system for auricular acupuncture to enhance research, teaching, and practice.
Recognizing auriculotherapy as a valid part of clinical care.
Research Studies
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![Silhouette of a person with curly hair touching their forehead, standing near a window with the sunset outside.]()
Pain alleviation
Acupuncture and acupressure greatly reduced pain in cancer patients. Combining both therapies may help lower opioid use in patients.
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![Black and white photograph of a person's legs and feet in a yoga pose, with one knee bent and both feet pointed, against a dark background.]()
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) significantly impacts cancer patients, leading to functional disability and diminished quality of life. Auricular point acupressure (APA), a non-invasive and non-pharmacological alternative, has shown potential for alleviating the pain, numbness, and tingling associated with CIN.
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![Silhouette of a person with their hand on their forehead, head bowed, against a blue background.]()
Pain Management
Used in the US military , a specific form of auricular acupuncture known as Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is a specific protocol to ease pain.
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![Silhouette of a woman sitting cross-legged on a bed in a dimly lit room with open windows.]()
Insomnia
Auriculotherapy protocols were demonstrated to be a well-received treatment modality with minimal adverse effects and effectively improved sleep conditions of the elderly with insomnia.
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![Black and white photograph of a topless woman with long, wavy hair, standing against a plain white wall. She has a tattoo on her shoulder and is looking directly at the camera.]()
Symptom reduction in breast cancer patients
The delivery of auricular acupuncture during chemotherapy infusion was associated with reduction of symptom burden, anxiety, and nausea in breast cancer patients.
History Of Auriculotherapy
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![A realistic artificial human ear on a white background.]()
Modern Auriculotherapy
Over 80% of ear acupuncture points were discovered in the last twenty years. Dr. Paul Nogier, a French acupuncturist and neurosurgeon, first explored the ear by combining scientific and traditional Chinese medicine principles, renewing interest in this area of Chinese medicine.
His work on the ear's link to the human embryo led to significant research in Mainland China, identifying about 200 ear points, many of which differ from Nogier's original findings. Studies have shown that both approaches are effective and complement each other in treating illnesses.
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![Close-up of a person's ear with a small gold hoop earring, showing dark hair and part of the face's skin with freckles.]()
In Ancient China
In ancient China, diagnosing health by examining the ear was common. Although much information was lost in the "great burning of the books," some knowledge remains. For example, the Zen Zhi Zhun Sheng states that a bright, shiny ear helix shows good health, while a dry helix suggests imminent death. The Wang Zhen Zhun Jing notes that a darkened ear helix indicates poor digestion and a bumpy area may signal an intestinal abscess. Additionally, needling a point on the ear lobe was used to treat eye issues like pinkeye, myopia, and cataracts, with gold earrings often recommended to stimulate the brain's visual centers.
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![Close-up of a person's dark brown ear with short hair against a plain light background.]()
In Ancient India
Indian and Chinese traditional medicines share many similarities, such as concepts of vital energy (qi), the five elements theory, pulse diagnosis, and acupuncture. India has practiced acupuncture for about 7000 years, and it’s unclear whether it originated there or in China. Indian medical texts, known as the Vedas, mention "needle therapy," which predates Chinese medical texts by several millennia. One Veda, the Suchi Veda, written around 3000 years ago, focuses solely on acupuncture. Indians use both body and ear acupuncture points, employing similar techniques to the Chinese but with about half the number of points. They have around 180 body points used for acupuncture or moxibustion to treat various illnesses, from coughs to malaria.
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![Close-up of a person's ear with detailed skin and hair textures.]()
The Arabs
The Arabs use not only cauterization of the ear to treat sciatica, but also bleeding of the ears in cases of high blood pressure or kidney and back pain. This is still common practice in the small villages of Syria and Lebanon. Although this may have been of Egyptian origin, we are certain that the Arabs had the entire science of acupuncture from the 13th century onward, when the Chinese medical books were translated into Arabic for reference in their medical schools.
23 Symptom Cards
AcuKITS™ provides 23 symptom cards to help ease symptoms and improve the well-being of people undergoing cancer treatment or managing chronic conditions.
Stress & Anxiety
Depression
Nausea & Vomiting
Loss of Appetite
Insomnia
Bladder/ Urinary issues
Cognitive Impairment
Immune Suppression
Fatigue
Taste Alterations
Diarrhea
Skin Conditions
Constipation
Dizziness & Vertigo
Bone & Joint Health
Liver Health
Headache & Migraine
Hot Flashes
Mouth Sores
Vision Issues
Neuropathy
Pain
Hair Loss
Easy To Use: Empowering Caregivers
AcuKITS™ are thoughtfully designed to provide convenient and accessible support, empowering caregivers to confidently integrate effective auriculotherapy and acupressure techniques into their routine. Specifically developed for individuals supporting loved ones through the challenges of a cancer diagnosis or chronic illness, these kits offer straightforward tools that are both easy to use and simple to apply. With AcuKITS™, caregivers can provide gentle, beneficial support with remarkable ease.
Your health is in your hands
Empower yourself to take control of your health with AcuKITS® – convenient at-home kits rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and backed by science. These kits harness the power of both auriculotherapy and acupressure techniques, specifically designed to assist with health challenges related to cancer treatment and chronic illness.