Auricular therapy is a method of healing by stimulating different acupressure points
on the surface of the outer ear. These areas are pricked with small, sterile,
disposable needles in order to help many complaints. In auricular acupuncture, the
ear is seen as a micro system of the body.
Auricular therapists believe that there are over 200 points on the ear that are
connected to a particular organ, tissue or part of the body. So, if something is out
of sync, its corresponding point on the ear may be sensitive or tender to touch and
pressure, or a mark, spot or lump can be visible.
Stimulation of the ear is then carried out by means of acupuncture needles, minute
electric currents or a laser beam.
An
auricular acupuncture session involves placing 5 or 6 small, sterile, disposable
needles in each ear. The needles are placed in acupoints corresponding to the area
to be treated, so they may place a needle in the neck point if you were suffering
from pain in that area.
It is claimed that the therapy can be helpful for various chronic conditions including
rheumatism and arthritis.
The actual practice of manipulating needles in the ear to cure diseases is not a new
therapy, but a very ancient one. It has been used for many hundreds of years in
some Eastern and Mediterranean countries and in China and is also now becoming
popular in the UK.
A good book on the therapy is ‘
Handbook to Chinese Auricular Therapy’ by Ken
Chen and Yongqiang Cui.
