Fields of application | Ear acupuncture

Fields of application

But what does ear acupuncture treat and where are its limits? All kinds of pain can be treated, especially those of the spine and joints, but also migraine, angina pectoris, spasms of the intestines, functional disorders and stimulation of bodily functions (constipation, heart failure, too much stomach acid), allergies (especially hay fever and allergic asthma), conditions after a stroke and other neurological disorders, mental disorders and psychosomatic diseases, as well as hormonal disorders (especially climacteric complaints). Ear acupuncture is of special importance in the treatment of addiction.

Various treatment programs for weaning from alcohol, drug or medication abuse, for smoking cessation or for fighting eating addiction give the therapist the opportunity to address the individual situation of the addicted person. However, it should be noted that alcohol and drug addiction should only be treated in conjunction with psychotherapy, otherwise the risk of relapse is too high. The success rates of ear acupuncture in the treatment of addiction depend, of course, on the experience of the practitioner. Nevertheless, the success rates are generally very high, and there are already drug centers in Germany and America that run these addiction programs as an integral part of their treatment concept.

Contraindications

Complications can include circulatory reactions such as collapse or syncope, infection at the injection site and the occurrence of initial deterioration. If there are complaints or illnesses in an organ or body part, the corresponding ear reflex point will prove to be particularly painful under pressure, perhaps even visibly altered by redness, fading, scaling or roughness. The skin resistance at such points is reduced.

In this way it is possible to use the ear as a diagnostic tool by palpating the ear with a special probe. In other words, the practitioner can use the ear inspection or electrical skin resistance measuring devices etc. to determine the skin resistance of the ear.

This means that the practitioner can identify areas of the ear that are different from the rest of the ear by inspecting the ear or by using electrical skin resistance meters, etc. The “ear humunculus” can then be used to determine which organ or body region is affected. Projections of the head and the sensory organs can be found on the earlobe, for example.

Nogier also developed a further method in diagnostics by observing the change in radial pulse (wrist pulse) during the palpation of sensitive ear reflex points. By needling the ear reflex points, a therapeutic stimulus can be applied to the corresponding organ or body area. The number of ear acupuncture needles per ear should not exceed 5.

As with body acupuncture, the following applies here as well: in acute illnesses rather fewer needles with a short lying duration and short treatment intervals, whereas chronic illnesses tend to be treated with more needles, longer lying duration and longer treatment intervals. Very thin and short needles are used. The average length of stay is between 20 and 40 minutes.

Permanent needles are also often used in the treatment of chronic diseases or addiction treatment. These are needles about 2 mm long, which are fixed with a small patch, left in the ear for 2 to 5 days and regularly stimulated by the patient himself by pressing or moving them. For permanent treatment, sand-grain plasters are also used.

These are plasters with small grains that acupressure the ear reflex point. However, this effect is somewhat weaker than with acupuncture. According to the patient’s handiness, the ear of the dominant side (left-handed left side and right-handed right side) is treated for diseases of paired or central organs and for superior/vegetative points.

In case of unpaired organs, the ear of the corresponding side is needled. For example, in the case of diseases of the spleen, the respective ear points are needled on the left side. Pain points on the affected side are also treated.

The application of ear acupuncture is relatively easy, since the ear reflex points are named according to their indications, e.g. : “Liver point”, “Blood pressure regulating point”, “Sciatic zone” etc. Thus, the points to be needled result from the indication and/or from the palpation for pressure pain. A Chinese diagnosis taking into account the 5 phases of transformation, the 8 guiding criteria, etc.

is not important for ear acupuncture. Of course, as with body acupuncture, there are proven point combinations for many complaints.