Ear Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of promoting Qi and blood circulation, removing toxic heat, blood and lymph fluid from the body.
The map of the ear has the form of an inverted fetus with the head at the ear lobe and the spine following the outer contour of the ear. Treatment is performed by needling the respective points on the ear. A probe can be used to determine sensitive points. A fine needle is then inserted at the points and usually left in for 30 minutes. Only one ear can be treated, alternating each time, or both. In addition, ear seeds, pellets. etc. can be applied and left in the ear. The patient should then press on the seed several times in a day to increase the benefits of the treatment.
Acupuncturists Without Borders was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina. Since then acupuncturists have been traveling to disaster zones in the States and around the world, to offer ear acupuncture to victims and rescue workers. This simple treatment, mostly just sitting on a chair, help relieve the stress, emotional and physical fatigue after all they have been going through. The effect can set in after just a couple of minutes.
A simple protocol is mostly used but additional points can be added as needed. The NADA (National Acupuncturist Detox Association) developed the protocol. It has been used to treat anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), smoking cessation, withdrawal symptoms, etc.