therapyspotlight
Auricular Therapy A Natural System of Diagnosis
and Treatment T
he ear has the highest density of acupuncture points on the body. In
auricular therapy, which is based on the concept that a microcosm of the entire body is represented on the outer portion of the ear (au- ricle), acupuncture needles are used to stimulate specific points that are associated with organs, body parts and even portions of the brain. After a treat- ment, small pellets of herbs or metal may be placed on the ear, allowing the individual to stimulate the points between treatment sessions to prolong the effects.
Most auricular points are regulat-
ing points, which means they can be used to tonify or sedate. Developed by French neurologist Paul Nogier in 1957, auricular therapy was tested in a double-blind, experimentally con- trolled research study with 40 patients
at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the UCLA Pain Management Center in 1980. The study, as reported in the medical journal, PAIN, verified the accuracy of auricular diagnosis—spe- cific areas of tenderness and increased electrical activity on the ear predicted specific areas of the body where some pain or dysfunction
could be identified. An acupuncture physician may use auricular acupuncture to treat head- aches, hypertension, asthma, back pain and nausea. This technique may also be effective for the treatment of addic- tions to cigarettes, recreational drugs, prescription drugs and even food.
Resource: Axis Natural Medicine, 7680 Cambridge Manor Pl., Ste. 100, Fort Myers. 239-288-0900. AxisNatural-
Medicine.com. See ad, page 21.
natural awakenings
April 2013
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