Auricular Acupuncture
What is it?
Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the treatment of patient health conditions. The ear holds a microsystem of the whole human
system that is consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield in the 1940’s. Dr. Penfield found that the brain holds a discernable map of the human body. Stimulation of a brain area could be felt by the patient in the corresponding region of the body. This brain map is projected onto different areas of the body, as “microsystems”, such as the sole of the foot and the iris of the eye.
The ear holds the most dense and specific reflection of that brain map, providing the practitioner with an accessible, safe and detailed gateway for both assessment and treatment of most disorders. Points not accessible with body acupuncture (such as hypothalamus) are available here!
A trained practitioner can address most patient concerns through working with the ear alone.
The earliest use of ear acupuncture, like body acupuncture, is thousands of years old. Auricular acupuncture, as we know it today, however, is largely the result of the discoveries and work of Dr. Paul Nogier of Lyon, France. In the early-1950’s, Nogier, a medical doctor who taught neurology at the local medical school and had trained in Oriental acupuncture, was intrigued by patient reports of healing of back pain through cauterizing points on the ear, and ancient references to ear acupuncture. He spent the next decades pursuing empirical research. Nogier quickly discovered that stimulation of the ear acupuncture points were highly effective in alleviating pain and other symptoms in other parts of the body. As more ear points revealed themselves, he saw that the map of these points on the ear is in the form of an upside down fetus! Now, sixty years later, many exciting and fascinating developments in understanding this medicine and how to use it for complex
assessment and treatments are being tested and offered by trained practitioners around the world. A further critical discovery was that acupuncture points on the ear are only active when there is a
corresponding disturbance in the patient’s physical or emotional system. This amazing discovery makes auricular acupuncture a tool for patient assessment
as well as treatment. Finally, Paul Nogier made a revolutionary discovery: the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS)! As a subtle reflex of the autonomic nervous
system, the VAS provides instantaneous indication of any change in the body. This “Signal” is read through the pulse, and provides trained practitioners with
an exciting tool to direct both assessment and treatment.
The VAS allows the body to tell us what it
needs!
The use of the VAS indicates: priority points for treatment; specific disturbances (such as which vertebrae, or which tooth, is disturbed); blockages to healing; allergies; deficiencies; toxicities; optimum remedies; and overall current levels of health. This “tool” is well known in Europe, and practitioners in North America are excited to be learning about its many uses in their clinical work.
How will it help me?
Auricular acupuncture treatments stimulate the body’s own neurohormonal regulating systems, assisting the body’s natural ability to balance and heal.
Auricular acupuncture promotes wellbeing and balance, and prevents the development of illness.
What is it?
Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the treatment of patient health conditions. The ear holds a microsystem of the whole human
system that is consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield in the 1940’s. Dr. Penfield found that the brain holds a discernable map of the human body. Stimulation of a brain area could be felt by the patient in the corresponding region of the body. This brain map is projected onto different areas of the body, as “microsystems”, such as the sole of the foot and the iris of the eye.
The ear holds the most dense and specific reflection of that brain map, providing the practitioner with an accessible, safe and detailed gateway for both assessment and treatment of most disorders. Points not accessible with body acupuncture (such as hypothalamus) are available here!
A trained practitioner can address most patient concerns through working with the ear alone.
The earliest use of ear acupuncture, like body acupuncture, is thousands of years old. Auricular acupuncture, as we know it today, however, is largely the result of the discoveries and work of Dr. Paul Nogier of Lyon, France. In the early-1950’s, Nogier, a medical doctor who taught neurology at the local medical school and had trained in Oriental acupuncture, was intrigued by patient reports of healing of back pain through cauterizing points on the ear, and ancient references to ear acupuncture. He spent the next decades pursuing empirical research. Nogier quickly discovered that stimulation of the ear acupuncture points were highly effective in alleviating pain and other symptoms in other parts of the body. As more ear points revealed themselves, he saw that the map of these points on the ear is in the form of an upside down fetus! Now, sixty years later, many exciting and fascinating developments in understanding this medicine and how to use it for complex
assessment and treatments are being tested and offered by trained practitioners around the world. A further critical discovery was that acupuncture points on the ear are only active when there is a
corresponding disturbance in the patient’s physical or emotional system. This amazing discovery makes auricular acupuncture a tool for patient assessment
as well as treatment. Finally, Paul Nogier made a revolutionary discovery: the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS)! As a subtle reflex of the autonomic nervous
system, the VAS provides instantaneous indication of any change in the body. This “Signal” is read through the pulse, and provides trained practitioners with
an exciting tool to direct both assessment and treatment.
The VAS allows the body to tell us what it
needs!
The use of the VAS indicates: priority points for treatment; specific disturbances (such as which vertebrae, or which tooth, is disturbed); blockages to healing; allergies; deficiencies; toxicities; optimum remedies; and overall current levels of health. This “tool” is well known in Europe, and practitioners in North America are excited to be learning about its many uses in their clinical work.
How will it help me?
Auricular acupuncture treatments stimulate the body’s own neurohormonal regulating systems, assisting the body’s natural ability to balance and heal.
Auricular acupuncture promotes wellbeing and balance, and prevents the development of illness.
- It is particularly effective for relief and management of
- Migraines, Allergies
- Stress, Insomnia, Anxiety, Depression
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Irritable bowel, Constipation, Irritable Bladder
conditions such as:
.....Neurological and Muscular Pain