Also known as aricular therapy, ear acupuncture may sound like a strange concept.
The idea of sticking thin needles into the ear would likely raise some eyebrows, but it is actually a traditional Chinese treatment that is thought to have originated over 5,000 years ago around the same time traditional body acupuncture is thought to have been discovered.
Of course, the inner ear is not stuck with needles in this procedure, as acupuncture points on the ear are on the exterior of the ear.
This procedure has been used to treat a variety of conditions and ailments and may be used in regular acupuncture treatment if the acupuncturist believes it may be helpful in providing relief from a particular condition or helping you to achieve whichever goals you are seeking.
Some of the conditions that have been treating through this procedure include addiction, mood disorders, obesity, pain and others.
Ear acupuncture is part of an approach to medicine that works to treat the whole person rather than a specific area of the body.
The acupuncture points on the ear are used to help regulate internal organs, structures and functions of the body.
This treatment has helped release endorphins, which are chemicals within the body that help to fight pain and stress.
They are naturally produced by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
The idea behind acupuncture is that there is a life energy that flows through the body called Qi.
When this energy becomes blocked due to trauma, poor diet, lack of exercise or stress, it may manifest in various ailments or conditions such as infertility, pain, etc.
By releasing Qi, it is believed that the release of positive energy pushes out negative energy in the process.
During ear acupuncture, thin, sterile needles will be placed on certain points on the ear.
Some reports indicate that there may be up to 100 acupuncture points on the ear.
Depending on the patient's goals and/or ailment, condition or complaint, different acupuncture points may be selected.
By stimulating these acupuncture points, a variety of physiological and psychological problems have been effectively and successfully treated.