What is Auricular Therapy?
Auricular therapy is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other areas of the body. The ear holds a microsystem of the body, consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield. Dr. Penfield found that maps of the body exist on the surface, or sensory cortex, of the brain. This same brain map is also projected onto different areas of the body, “microsystems”, and in particular precision, onto the ear.
The map on the ear is in form of an inverted fetus with all the fine details of the anatomical, physiological, and emotional body represented. The tissue of the ear is unique and has functions in addition to our sense of hearing. The ear is the first organ to develop to its full size and become fully functional about 18 weeks after conception and is one of a few anatomical structures composed of tissue from each of the 3 primary types (endo, ecto, mesoderm) in the developing embryo.
When an auricular point on the ear is “active” it expresses as increased tenderness on stimulation and a higher electrical conductivity. This indicates pathology in the corresponding body tissue or function and makes auricular acupuncture a useful form of assessment of ailments. The texture, color, skin changes, veins, etc., in different areas of the ear can be indicators of the state of health.
How does Auricular Therapy help with weight-loss?
Auricular therapy (ear acupuncture) stimulates specific points on the ear to heal corresponding physical and mental ailments. As an alternative healing modality, auricular therapy is routinely used to treat mood disorders, pain, obesity, and over 150 other conditions. It has a 75 – 80% success rate for curing addictions to smoking and nicotine, and a similarly high success rate for weight loss.
Aricular therapy temporarily increases your body’s metabolic rate and lowers appetite by manipulating the nervous system. It alters the sympathetic nervous system to improve resistance to insulin, which metabolizes glucose in the body. Auricular therapy elevates the levels of a hormone known as serotonin, which tones smooth muscles of the stomach, and therefore reduces abdominal fat storage. Depending on one’s weight loss goals, the treatment can be done every two to three days a week to lose up to 10 pounds of weight.
Does Auricular Therapy help with other ailments?
Anxiety & Stress Treatment
Auricular therapy can help overcome general anxiety disorders and minor depression.
Smoking Cessation Treatment
Nicotine addiction is very difficult to overcome. To successfully quit smoking, a person needs emotional support hence the treatment should not focus on managing the physical symptoms only. Auricular acupuncture helps patients overcome their smoking addiction by curbing the cravings and the characteristic restlessness. It also detoxifies the body and promotes relaxation.
Chronic Pain Treatment
Chronic pain is triggered by the constriction of connective tissues that surround the muscles, resulting in spasms. The brain and the nervous system normally regulate tissue and muscle contractions, and spasms occur when the nerves go haywire. Stimulating the reflex points on the ear electrically resets the nerve impulses, thereby stopping the spinal reflexes that cause the back pain. Auricular therapy can also be used to treat chronic pain caused by sore nerve endings, as it stimulates the release of the endorphins that lessen the pain.