Show Auriculotherapy has recently gained popularity as a home remedy for a variety of health conditions. Not sure how it works? You may be hearing of this treatment method for the very first time. Keep reading to find out what it is and how it can be beneficial for your wellbeing. What is auriculotherapy?Auriculotherapy, also known as auricular acupoint pressure or ear stimulation, is another method of normalising the body’s dysfunction by stimulating specific acupoints on the external ear. It can be stimulated using acupuncture needles, magnetic balls or Vaccaria seeds (王不留行籽). How does it work?
The principles of Auricular Therapy are based both upon Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and upon neurological reflex therapies that were first discovered in France by Paul Nogier1. The essential principle in Auricular Therapy is that there are neurological reflexes and qi (energy) correspondences between specific areas of the external ear and other parts of the body that are arranged in the pattern of an inverted fetus. Improvement of symptoms is believed to be through regulating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system2.  In TCM, your health depends on the flow of qi in your body. Many meridians also pass through the ears. By stimulating specific pressure points found in the ears, it can stimulate a therapeutic effect on the body part, function or gross anatomical organ associated with that point. Resolving these blockages can also relieve a variety of health conditions such as pain or general wellness issues. Auricular plaster acupressureAuricular plaster acupressure is a frequently used, non-invasive form of acupuncture which uses physical pressure applied to the ear acupressure point by Vaccaria seeds (王不留行籽). Nowadays, patients are busy and are not always able to come into the clinic often. Hence, patients can stimulate the ear seeds themselves and complement the effect of body acupuncture. It is commonly used to complement other treatment methods such as oral medication to manage and/or prevent conditions such as pain, digestive issues, insomnia or women’s health etc. What can Ear Seeds treat?Ear seeds can be used to treat a variety of health issues such as:
It’s easy to apply ear seeds yourself at home. Place the ear seeds on the external part of the ear. Do not put them inside the ear canal. You can also consult a TCM physician first to guide and show you exactly where to place them for an optimal outcome. Steps:
Make sure to observe your ears for signs of irritation.
Please remove the ear seeds immediately if you experience these symptoms. Auricular plaster acupressure is now popular as it is a convenient, non-invasive, do-it-yourself, safe and effective alternative treatment. Intrigued? You can try it out yourself with our PULSE ear seeds. Each ear seed packet contains 60 ear seeds and detailed instruction/ diagrams to allow you to reap the benefits of Auricular acupressure anytime, anywhere! Reference: 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2206232/ Reference 2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10516975/ Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions and diagnosis. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Should ear seeds go on both ears?Stick the press balls or press seeds on up to 5 points on your ear. You can treat both ears or just one. Treat the same side as the problem you're working on: for example, left hip pain gets some press balls in the left ear.
How many ear seeds can you get at once?“Ear seeds are affixed to your ear much like tiny pieces of Band-Aids,” explains Chen. “I generally apply about three to five ear seeds per ear. Generally, an acupuncturist or someone trained in TCM or auricular therapy would apply them, as you would have to be familiar with the map of the ear.
Where should I put my ear seeds?They're placed on the outside of your ear over certain acupuncture points. They're usually held in place by waterproof tape and stay on your ears for up to a week. Ear seeds are safe for just about anyone, although it's always a good idea to tell your doctor about any alternative treatments you try.
How are ear seeds applied?Traditionally, acupuncturists use vaccaria seeds, which come from a type of flowering herb. However, ear seeds may instead be synthetic, commonly metal or ceramic. Acupuncturists will place the seeds around the outer ear and secure them using medical tape. People can then manipulate the seeds to provide pressure.
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