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Terry Oleson .
geometric ear points at 30 angles : nogier and his colleagues discoverd
that after treating correspondent ear points indicated by somatotopic
maps, it was also possible to discern a series of reactive auricular points
that ocurred along an imaginary straight line.These lines were referred to
as geometric because the occurred at 30 angles to each other. The
practtioner would first configure an imaginary line that extended from
point zero to the corresondent point and outward to the peripheral helix
that intersected with that line. Stimulation of any reactive ear points
along this line was found to augment the treatment effects seen with
auriculotherapy. In addition to treating the helix point 30 angles
extending from this helix location were used to create additional
anatomic points that are often used to alleviate other disorders include
ear points for the occiput, the chinese kidney, the heart, the lung the liver
and the stomach.--the most communly used chinese functional points are Muscle relaxation
point, appetite control point , brain (central rim) , windstream( lesser
occipital nerve), and san jiao (triple warmer) --the most frequently utilized european functional points are
antidepressantpoint, anti aggressiivity point, vitaly point and
psychosoamatic point --treat Nogier phase II and Phase III points if successful results are not
obtained with pahse I points or with chinese ear points. Phase II ponts are
indicated for chronic deficient conditions , whereas Phase II ear points are
indicated for chronic excess conditions.--- Evaluate the patient for the
presence of physical hindrances or psychological obstacles that could
interfere with the treatment. One might also notice if treating reactive
points on the ear related to geometric, inverse or contrarly relationships
improves the clinical effectiveness of the auriculoterapy treatment. --auriculoterapy works very well with other treatments modalities. It is
quite common to combine ear acupuncture and body acupuncture in the
same treatment session ----- Chinese herbs, moxibustion, homeoapthic
substances and acupresssure massage can be effectively integrated with
auriculotherapy as well as body acupuncture.
---Postural adjustments with osteoaptic or chiropractic manipulations
serve to facilitate the reduction of muscle spasms attained with auricular
stimulation.
--- biofeddback, hypnosis, meditation, and yoga all serve to augment the
general relaxation effect seen with auriculoterapy.
--- patients with psychosomatic disturbances would probably benefit from
psycoterapeutic interventions if they could accept the perspective that
inconscious emotional conflicts could be a contribuiting factor to their
physical health problem
--- any procedure used as standard medical practice for the condition
being treated can be further enhanced by the use of auriculoterapy..
Precauciones asociados con auriculoterapia: el efecto secundario adverso
ms comn de la auriculoterapia es que el odo puede ponerse roja y
Despus de tratar los puntos anatmicos que corresponden a la zona del sntoma en el
cuerpo, use los puntos maestro.
Por ltimo, trate los puntos funcionales de apoyo.
Los puntos de maestros ms utilizados son el punto cero, shen men, punto simptico
autonmica, punto tlamo, punto endocrino, y el punto cerebral maestro
-- puntos anatmicos que se utilizan a menudo para aliviar otros trastornos incluyen puntos
de la oreja para el occipital, el rin chino, el corazn, el pulmn el hgado y el estmago.
--- Los puntos funcionales chinos ms utilizados son el punto Relajacin muscular, punto de
control del apetito, el cerebro (llanta central), Windstream (nervio occipital menor), y san
jiao (triple calentador) --- los puntos funcionales europeos utilizados con mayor frecuencia
son punto antidepresivo, punto de agresividad anti, punto vitalidad y punto psicosomtico
---tratar puntos Fase Nogier II y Fase III si los resultados exitosos no se obtienen con
puntos de fase I o con puntos de la oreja chinos. Puntos Fase II estn indicados para
deficientes condiciones crnicas, mientras que los puntos de la Fase II del odo estn
indicados para condiciones de exceso crnicas
.--- Evaluar al paciente para detectar la presencia de obstculos fsicos u obstculos
psicolgicos que podran interferir con el tratamiento. Tambin se podra notar si el
tratamiento de los puntos de reactivos en el odo relacionada con geomtrica, inversa o
relaciones contrarias mejora la eficacia clnica del tratamiento auriculoterapia.
--- Obras auriculoterapia muy bien con otras modalidades de tratamientos. Es bastante
comn combinar la acupuntura oreja y cuerpo en la misma sesin de tratamiento
----- Hierbas chinas, moxibustin, sustancias homeopticas y masaje y digitopuntura pueden
integrarse eficazmente con auriculoterapia y acupuntura corporal.
--- ajustes posturales con manipulaciones osteopticas ,quiroprcticas sirven para facilitar la
reduccin de los espasmos musculares obtenidos con la estimulacin auricular.
--- Biofeedback, la hipnosis, la meditacin y el yoga todos sirven para aumentar el efecto de
relajacin general que se observa con la auriculoterapia.
--- Pacientes con trastornos psicosomticos probablemente se beneficiaran de
intervenciones psicoteraputico si podan aceptar la perspectiva de que los conflictos
emocionales inconscientes podra ser un factor de que contribuye a su problema de salud
fsica
--- Cualquier procedimiento utilizado como prctica mdica estndar para la condicin a
tratar puede mejorarse an ms por el uso de auriculoterapia ..
Master oscillation point (laterality point) Location : found on the
underside of the subtragus, underneath the inferior tragus protrusion at
LM_10 Function : this master point balances laterality disorders related
to dysfunctional interactions betwenn the left and the right cerebral
hemispheres.It anatomically represents the corpus callosum and the
anterior commisure which hoins the two sides of the brain, This point is
often active in individuals who are left handed or mixed dominant in
handedness.
Inverse relationships of the external ear to the psysical body : when
treating the muscles attached to the spinal vertebrae, and the peripheral
limbs, ti has been found in both auriculoterapy and manipulative terapies
flow of energy in the meridians. This is not the case with the points in the
ear. THey are aither on or off. Ear acupuncture points may be measured
with a point detector only when they are on wich is to say when they are
active because there is something wrong with the corresponding part of
the body. Ear acupuncture is a reflex science: each part of the body has a
point or zone in the ear where a malfunction in the corresponding body
part registers. This malfunction may then be treated. A completely
healthy human being in perfect balance should have no active points in
the ear. (there are a few exceptions to this rule. Some so called
masterpoints can be found with an electrical point detector even on a
healthy person : see Ch 6 the ear : its parts an acupuncture points.)
Differential diagnosis:
Because the points in the ear are active only when there is something
wrong in the corresponding oran, an examination of the ear can be used
either to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. The research team from Nanking
cites acute abdominal pain as an example in their book (Huang 1974) If
pain an other symptoms are atypical, making the diagnosis uncertain, the
team says that by searching in the ear for active point, the examining
doctor can decide with a considerable degree of certainty if the cause of
pain in the patient is a cyst on the ovary, a kidney stone , an inflamed
appendix or a gallstone.
Other techniques : semi- permanent needles : Body acupuncture makes
use of acupuncture needles that stay in place for 20-40 minutes. In the
ear on may use the same technique but semi-permanent needles may
also be used. These remain in place , stimulating the acupuncture point
for several days. In ear acupuncture this technique has been found to be
effective for up to 2-3 weeks. Semi-permanent needles are used only in
the ear.
auricular medicine is a developed and more technical form of regular ear
acupuncture, auricular therapy
Pellets : (balines, micro esferas de metal)
it is also possible to treat the ear without pricking it with a needle. A small
metal pellet or a little seed is taped with band- aid to a specific point in
the ear- The pellet or seed puts pressure on the point ,generating what is
known as acupressure. This can be a good alternative for patients with a
fear of needles, with a blood infection or who may be too young for
acupuncture. Pellets are often used in the ear, but only exceptionally on
the rest of the body (see su jok , CH 4, other microsystems)
Technical equipment:
A skilled body acupuncturist needs no point detector or other electrical
apparatus to find acupuncture points. The points can be located by
measuring the distance to fixed "landmarks" such as joints and other
features of the skeletonThe bodys acupuncture points are always at the
same place. In the ear the points are extremely close together. In ear
acupuncture only active points are treated , so its important to locate
them correctly. The acupuncturist may make use of a mechanical point
detector, or a presssure feeler , but many choose to equip themselves
with an electrical point detector for still greater precision. If, after your
studies in auricular therapy (the regular ear acupuncture described in this
book) you decide to go on and learn auricular medicine, this will entail the
use of more advanced technical instruments, for example laser
equipment...
Differing ideas concerning energy :
The meridians :
The TCM concept of body acupuncture is based on acceptance of a belief
that there are energly channels - the meridians_ which permeate the body
in a fixed pattern. The acupuncture points lie alonng these. An
acupuncture point is a place on the meridian where it is easier to reach
the energy and influence it by puncturing, warming or massaging the
point. Chinese literature on acupuncture takes it for granted that
meridians are also represented in the ear and that a stagnation in a
meridian can give rise to an active point in the part of the ear
corresponding to the parto of the body in which the meridian is located.
According to Paul Nogier (the french doctor who discovered auricular
therapy) there are around 180 acupuncture points in the ear . These may
be either reflex points(a reflection of a part of the body) or functional
points( stimulation of the point influences a definite function) Nogier had
a Western mind set. He saw the bodys structure (skeleton, muscles, etc)
as being pictured in the ear, but did not recognise meridians. Neither did
he describe acupuncture in terms of qi( the nergy which the Chinese say
flows through the meridians) or yin and yang, two other central concepts
in Chinese medicine.
-stagnation of energy is the opposite to a free flow energy
De qi :
"de qi" the feeling around the needle wich is sought after in the body
acupuncture- and regarded as being crucially important in achieving a
good result- is not to be found in the same way in ear acupuncture. In
body acupuncture the acupuncturist stimulates the needles by rotating or
moving them in such a way that the patient experiences feelings of
tickling, pressure or radiation around the needle. It is this feeling that is
called "de qi". In ear acupuncture the patient may experience a needle
insertion as painful for a few secondes (particulary if semi-permanent
needles are used) but once the needle is in a place, the patient seldom
has a clear feeling of it being there. Only exceptionally is there any
discomfort. In treatment of the ear with regular acupuncture needles, the
patient may sometimes experience the feeling that the ear has become
larger and warmer tha usual The ear may also redden. Such phenomena
may be described as "de qi". However contrarly to body acupuncture
practice, in ear acupuncture needles are not stimulated to generate the
feeling
Advantages for the acupuncturist :
It takes a long time to learn body acupuncture .Several years of study are
necessary in order to understand the classic Chinese system. Ear
acupuncture is built on simpler foundations. Because the reflex points in
the ear are divided into zones corresponding to the upside-down figure of
a man, it is possible to learn the fundamentals in a few days. This means
that a course in ear acupuncture is considerably cheaper than that for
body acupuncture
Saving time : It does not a gresat deal of time to place needles in the ear.
The aptient can sit during treatment and need only remain in the clinic for
the time needed for examination and the insertion of the needles. Body
acupuncture takes much longer. The patient must undress, lie down and
be cushioned with pillows and blankets. The needles stay in for 20-40
minutes and are stimulated several times during treatment. When the
treatment is finished, the patient must get dressed again. All this takes
time. If the body acupunctirst needs to make use of points on both sides
of the body the sesion will have to be divided into two stages. As a result
the patient must change position halfway through and treatment takes
even longer. In ear acupuncture points corresponding to both sides of the
body can be treated at the same time. This saves time both for the
patient and the acupuncturist.
Group treatment : Ear acupuncture can, especially in cases of treatment
for drug addiction, with drawal symptoms or stress , be given to a group
of people. This makes it extremely cost effective. Both time and space are
saved in treating a group of sitting, fully dressed patients. Another
advantage of group treatment is that it can be less stressful for patients
with high anxiety. In ear acupuncture the patient can move during
treatment. In body acupuncture the patient must lie still for 20-40
minutes Ear acupuncture allows patients who may be worried and filled
with anxiety, or may be in such pain that they cannot lie still for long
periods, to expericence more easily the benefits of acupuncture.
An ear acupuncturist can give several such group sessions an hour. (if you
are making use of a standardised form of ear acupuncture sucha as Nada,
20 or so persons may be treated per hour. See Ch. 13 NADA- using ear
acupunctures to fight addiction in the beginning..) Often existing premises
such as ordinary rooom in a house or office, a waiting room or a dining
room can be used. No expensive and bulky examination benches are
needed. Ear acupuncture can administered in simplified forms. The
Nanking Army ear acupuncture Research team summed this up in the
1960s: Whether indoors, outdoors, in open field, factory workshop,
battlefield, trenches or classroom, ear acupuncture can be applied.
Making it easier for the patient :
Local points : it is commonplace in body acupuncture to make use of
local points. ie points in the area where the pain is located. an advantage
of ear acupuncture is that you can,without pricking the part of the body
that is in pain, effect it in a poisitive way by pricking the corresponding
part of the body that may be off - limits for the body acupuncturist, for
example because they are in plaster, badly swollen or causing severe
pain
Two complementary treatments :
ear acupuncture and body acupuncture can be used separately or in
combination. Ear acupuncture can be an excellent complement to body
acupuncture. The body acupuncturist can improve on results by making
use of ear acupuncture both to treat the points in the ear correspondig to
the organs or body parts that need treatment and to reduce stress and
muscular tension in the patient However, ear acupunture need not be
administered in conjuntion with body acupuncture. It can be the only
form of acupuncture treatment
Who can benefit from ear acupuncture?
In addition to patients, many health care professionals may have use for
ear acupuncture: -body acupuncturists can add a good many more
acupuncture points to their repertoire, and gain a complement to the form
of acupuncture. they already practise.
Chiropractors, oteopaths, and naprapaths can use ear acupuncture as a
means of getting muscles to relax , making- to take one example- spinal
manipulation far easier. If ear acupuncture is given to relieve pain, deep
trigger point massage may be possible on a patient who might otherwise
be in no condition to tolerate this painful but extremely beneficial form of
massage
Dentists can make use of ear acupuncture both as a form of anaesthetic
and to calm otherwise anxious patients. Patients in a truly calm state can
withstand a higher pain threshold.
Doctors , nurses and midwives may fin ear acupuncture an effective
solution in alleviating pain , in aiding diagnosis and as a treatment for
many different conditions
Various professionals working with patients who have alcohol or drug
addiction problems can use ear acupuncture as an aid both during
withdrawal and in the long rehabilitation phase, in which it can prevent
relapse. It may also be used as treatment in the event of relapse.
Therapists who treat stress, exhaustion, depression ,patients with a high
level of anxiety or with sleeping problems can make successful use of ear
acupuncture.
Physiotherapists often find ear acupuncture an excellent complement to
other methods and treatments for easing pain.
psychologists and psychoterapists can use ear acupuncture as an aid in
getting patients to calm down and focus, and become more open to
therapy, cutting down consultation times.
Auriculotherapy-By Raphael Nogier
The two types of ear points:
the concept of auriculotherapy is based on an understanding of the
nature of the points. It seems that on the ear there are two kinds of
points:
1. points linked directly to the nervous system (the pressure points)
These points are located with a pressure probe, and are painful when an
needles are used per treatment session, i.e. only the major points are
needled to address the real cause of the illness. Usually three needles
per auricule are inserted; even if several irritated areas have been
located, the maximum number of needles per auricle should not exceed
five .
The following principle applies:
The therapeutic result is determined by the targeted , precisely
localized needle stimulus and not by the number of needles.
The needles are left in place for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 40
minutes while the patient reclines; they can then be easily removed. In
case of acute painful diseases (cephalalgia, neuralgia) longer periods of
rest may prove practical.Experience has shown that subsiding of pain
may take up to 45 minutes in coming. No additional effect has been
observed with longer treatment periods. Even in case of an immediate
onset of relief (i.e. immediate freeedom of pain, such as the elimination of
pain within seconds seen in neural therapy) the needles should
nevertheless be left in place for at least 20 minutes. Removal of the
needles is usually easy and painless. Prematurely lost needles may be
replaced if the patient was resting only for a brief period; later , this is no
longer effective. Some authors interpret the early loss of a needle as
particularly quick response to the respective needle, i.e., the needle
would be set "free" because of precise targeting of another reflex point.
However there is no clinical proof for this.
The removal of needles may be carried out by an assistant. He/she should
be advised that the occasional minor bleeding may be stopped by lightly
pressing a pad against the bleeding spot- something the patient can
usually take care of. An exception to this are those points for which
bleeding acts as microphlebotomy, for example in case of the Allergy
Point (78) at the tip of the ear, where bleeding should be allowed to
continue until it stops spontaneously.
Electrical stimulation : In both body acupuncture and ear acupuncture,
the inserted needles may be additionally stimulated by means of a low frequency direct current in rectangular pulses.Stimulation frequency is
selected at 10 Hz, while the intensity of the current depends on the
relative sensitivity of the patient. To determine the patients tolerance,
the current is gradually increased until the patient indicates the sensation
of a slightly stabbing, well -tolerated pulse. While doing so, the patient
should be instructed that this sensation should not reach the pain
threshold and that , due to adaptation, the slightly stabbing sensation will
subside during the period of rest without losing its effectiveness. That is
why the current intensity should not be readjusted.The positive and
negative electrodes must be applied ispilaterally i.e., both on the same
ear, and the intensity-dependent paresthesia during stimulation occurs at
the positive electrode closing the circuit may be connected to a needle
that does not need to be stimulated.
In ear acupuncture, electrical stimulation is not as important as it is in
body acupuncture. It is usually only recommended in .????
Auricular massage :
Similar to body acupuncture, the theapeutic stimulation of irritated points
or zones can also be achieved in ear somatotopy by means of a targeted
pulsating pressure or massage. In addition, the whole body can be given
a soothing harmonizing stimulus through systematic massage of the
auricle, in the sense of stimulating the entire microsystem. The latter is
called auricular massage which should be distinguished whith regard to
its direction of action as well as handling from the direct stimulation of
individual points through pressure massage. Auricular massage according
to Lange (1985) is carried out without an auxiliary instrument namely,
just by using thumb and index finger. Due to the active involvement of
the patient, auricule massage has proved effective as therapy- supporting
mesasure particularly when treating problems with concentration and
sleeping disorders. After appropriate instruction as to the proper scheme ,
the massage may be carried out by the patients themselves. For the
purpose of massaging the ear, it is important to hold the auricle in a
forceps- like grip between index finger and thumb so that the tip of the
thumb lies behind the auricle and the tip of the index finger is able to
perform light massaging, circular movements on the front side of the
auricular. The pressure of the massage should not be painful but rather
perceived as pleasant.
Focal massage of irritated ear points as defined by acupressure can only
be performed with the help of rod- or probe -like devices like the ones
used for detecting tenderness. This specific form of stimulation presents
itself when other possibilities of stimulation are unavailable or not
tolerated by the patient. Focal self -tratment of the patient is usually not
practical apart from two exceptions, namely , in kinetosis in order to
support the treatment and in cases of pre-exam anxiety or stage fright. In
such cases the patient is instructed to massage the respective zones (in
the region of postantitragal fossa and crus of helix , respectively) as
Microphlebotomy
This tipe of therapeutic stimulation is included in the discussion despite
its rather limited scope of indications.It has proved effective as an
auxiliary measure especially in allergic disorders (such as pollinosis and
urticaria) and is also used in neuralgia (e. g. trigeminal neurlagia).
Microphlebotomy may be used either alone in the directly indicated zone
or as part of a combination therapy involving several points. One or
several facial needles suffice for puncturing . To avoid unncessary
traumatization, cruder instruments (such as lancets) are not
recommended. In the region of the well - vascularized lobule, it is even
possible to pierce the tissue like a sieve with several needles (e. g. in the
trigeminal zone). After an appropriate period of time, the needles are
simultaneously removed ; the resulting bleeding is not stopped but
allowed to drip into a cotton swab. In the region of ear cartilage (e g. at te
thipo of the ear: allergy point (78) a quick stab with the needle from the
inside or outside is usually sufficient to induce the apropriate bleeding.
Microphlebotomy at the auricle should only be used in connection with a
constellation of points appropriate for the syndrome. Its therapeutic
stimulus is insufficient when used on its own and at any location.
Methods of continuous stimulation :
onto the point to be treated. The patient must be advised to massage the
pellet from time to ....
Practical approach.
Preparation and positioning of the patient
Preparation. Patient preparation involves informing the patient about the possibility of
experiencing pain during needle insertion and about the kind and strength of pain.
Furthermore, it is advisable to inform the patient of the disposable needle material that will
be used and to explain the search for points in general terms. In addition the patient must
remove all ear ornaments and if necessary , clear the ears from interfering hair. These
preparatory measures, including the necessary disinfection of the auricle may be taken care
of by the nurse.
The physician the briefly explains the procedure in plain language to the patient and most
importantly, points out that the symptoms tend to improve after 4-5 days of treatment,
otherwise the indication needs to be reviewed and the patient must consent to continuation of
the treatment.
It is also helpful to get the patients cooperation in so far as he /she will inform the physician
at the next treatment session, preferably without being asked, of any changes in his/her
condition or symptom complex so that therapeutic measures may be taken quickly and in
flexible way by adjusting the combination of points.
During the entire treatment series, the patient should avoid narcotics, such as sleeping pills
and alcohol during the last 12 hours preceding the treatment. It is advisable that the patient is
not exposed to situations of physical stress, such as sauna or stenuous sports, during the 2-3
hours following treatment.
Positioning the patient. Examination and needling of the auricle can be performed with the
patient either sitting or lying. Unless clues in the patients history or a state of vegetative
instability favor the lying position, sitting is preferred because it provides better access to the
ear points. If required by the treatment regimen , laterality may be clarified right at the
beginning to identify wich auricle should primarily be treated. Already after a brief practical
involvement, the physician will be familiar with all these steps. They will prevent him from
making the patient feel uneasy as a result of incomplete information or improvised changes
in the combination of points which could disturb the course of treatment.
Bedding.
After treatment , the patient should be bedded in a relaxed lying position for 20-45 minutes.
One should see to it that the room is kept sufficiently warm and the patient is covered with a
blanket to avoid even the slightest hypothermia, as this would interfere with complete
relaxation. Unfortunately, these seemingly straightforward rules are often not observed in
practice or they are neglected due to insufficient engagement by the physician or nurse. This
may lead to unfavorable accompanying symptoms and may cause the patient to abandon the
treatment at a critical phase.
In case of arthritic pain in the region of the knee joint, the two Knee
Points (49 a and 49 b, in the region of the triangular fossa and superior
anthelical crus, respectively) are most important. Supplementary points
are selected depending on whether the symptom complex can be
assigned primarily to inflammation, a pain process, or radiation of pain
.Accordingly, supplementary points may be included individually or in
combination.
Frequently, only the selection of supplementary points and their
interaction with the primary therapeutic access point will bring about the
decisive therapeutic breakthrough.
Choice of stimulation method
Inserting a fine needle into the irritated zone has certainly become the
most popular method of auricular stimulation. So far , this type of
stimulation is unsurpassed in its practicabilitty and effectiveness and can
be replaced by no other method of ear stimulation. Hence, as a rule,
needling is the method of first choice. All other forms of stimuli must be
viewed as therapeutic supplements or a less effective substitutes
whenever the needle method cannot be applied. Generally, electrical
stimulation of the inserted needle has enhancing effect, especially in
neuralgia and causalgia, but also in recurrent colicky conditions of pain in
the intestinal region (diverticulosis, spastic colitis, etc) Microphlebotomy
presents itself as a supplement to needle treatment ,particularly in
allergies and cephalalgia.
In hypersensitive or extremely anxious patients, the stimulation methods
discussed earlier provide a substitute for needle treatment , though an
imperfect one. First of all targeted pressure massage of points
(acupressure) is one possiblitity for the less well equipped physician ; it
may be further developed by means of the pellet pressure method.
However, for resasons already discussed, the latter requires stringent
control by the physician. Point stimulation by means of soft laser is more
costly and roughly similarly effective as the needle method, although it
cannot replace needling completely . In all cases where the patient is
unable to keep appointments for treatment at meaningful intervals (eg.
because of prolonged travels) self treatmente by targeted auricular
massage may be recommended , provided the ear points to be treated
are accessible.
Strength of stimulus, treatment intervals and duration of
sessions
inserted needle for 1-2 minutes , while rotating the needle slightly .This
strength of the stimulus is indicated above all in states of Yang or Yang
excess, namely in acutely severe and painful diseases.
For medium - strength stimulation, i.e. for combining drainage and
replenishing (Nian Zhuan Fa) the needle is moved by rotating it back
and forth every 1-2 minutes while emphasizing the clock - wise
direction.This strength of the stimulus is applied particularly in chronic
and chronically recurrent symptoms or syndromes.
Supplementation in ear acupuncture (Eao Fa) is achieved by merely
insterting the needle and leaving it without further manipulation.This type
of stimulus is indicated in all states of Yin or Yin Defficiency as defined by
TCM, namely , primarily in chronic syndromes and conditions of pain (e.g.
Yin pain at night or while resting which improves with movement)
Furthermore, it is advisable to choose this strength of the stimulus when
warranted by the patients constitution, that is mainly in weak or
chronically ill patients, old persons and children. Hence, in Chinese ear
acupuncture, the strength of the stimulus is chosen depending on the
syndrome as defined by TCM. For this purpose, patients and their illness
should be assessed according to the classical Eight guiding Principles:
Deficiency/Excess, Yin/Yang, Heat/Cold, Interior /Exterior. The drainage
and reinforcing techniques of Chinese ear acupuncture require relevant
training and skills, especially the forms of Nian Zhuan Fa and Ti Dao Fa. In
case of clumsy handling, the ear cartilage may be considerably
traumatized or even pierced and that would increase the risk of infection.
For this reason , it is up to the therapist in each individual case to view
the necessity of this technique in relation to its effectiveness. Once again,
as in the case of auriculotherapy, critical reservations are advisable.
Convincing comparative studies or empirical results with regard to
improved effectiveness in comparison to the simple needle stimulus are
still unavailable. However these reservations apply only to auricular
therapy and they should encourage the exploration in detail as to how
effective these stimulation methods really are. Ear acupuncture is based
on a microsystem which reflects the entire body and in which direct and
fairly short reflex pathways to the corresponding organ are clearly
available. In principle, it is therefore doubtful whether the laws of body
acupunctue can be applied to ear acupuncture in a meaningful way,
particularly since the organ projections are not at all analogous to the
functional pathways (meridians or channels) defined by TCM. However
this does not exclude selection of ear points based on possible diagnostic
clues obtained according to traditional rules. Unfortunately, we have only
In a right - handed person, the right ear is the dominant one, and the left
ear is non- dominant. In a left- handed person, the left ear is
dominant,,and the right ear is non- dominant. In this book the most
important points of each ear meridian are describe together with their
multple functions. The carry the same names as the corresponding body
acupuncture points. Points ending with "-1" are located close to the
original point (e. g. TB-1-1 lies close to TB-1). As a rule, the sensory
portions are found on the front of the ear (lateral surface of auricle) while
the motor portions are found on the back of the ear (medial surface of
auricle) . A gold needle in the sensory point on the lateral surface and a
silver needle in the corresponding motor point on the medial surface .
Body parts, organs or anatomical structures belonging g to the same
region project very close to each other onto the ear . For example: For
example: knee joint, popliteal artery, peroneal nerve Entire vertebral
column . Location :the vertebral column or spine, projects upside- down
onto the entire antihelix.Locaation : like the various structures of a
vertebra, the corresponding points lie close together on the edge of the
anithelix.: the smal vertebral hoints project slightly lateral to the edge of
the antihelix (which is important for treating the very common "blockages
" of the spine) .The zone of paravertebral muscles and ligaments lies
lateral to theis zone of small vertebral joints.
The point has an effect on the vomiting reflex Note : the vomiting centre
lies in the medulla oblongata near the respiratory centre
Disorders of the locomotor system Auriculotherapy of symtoms of the
locomotor system (joints vertebral column ) always proceeds according
to the same principle: 1 Local pain point (e. g. relfex point of a particular
joint or vertebra)
2 The correspondig motor point on the back of the
ear (forceps method according to Bahr) using a silver needle 3 Points in
the correspondig sympatetic trunk segment usually with silver needles 4
Anti inflammatory , analgesic and /or anti - rheumatic points 5 Points of
focal disturbances if present. This treatment plan is valid for both acute
and chronic symptoms. Local pain points may also be pierced with two or
theree needles if the ear point occupies a wider area. Points for joints or
vertebrae are needled like all organ points, on the ear of the affected
body side. So- called functional points are needled as described in detail
(always use the other ear for lett- handed persons).
An important note for therapists wishing to wor exclusively with steel
needles: always needle the point on the same ear for which the GOld
point is described because this is the point that needs to be stimulated. In
all stubborn cases, that do not respond to therapy. and particularly when
a good ear acupuncture treatment did not lead to early and significant
alleviation of symtoms- one should consider the presence of a focal
disturbance. The following foci are common and should be taken into
account: a) scars, especially those that healed secondarily (the size of the
scar is not important) also drainage scars and internal scars resulting
from surgery (including the scar from perineotomy)
Chronic infalmmation (tonsils, paranasal sinues, hemorrhoids, pelvic
inflammatory disease) . Devitalized teeth or inflammation in the dentalmaxillary region. If focal activity is supected, one can simply examine the
ear reflex zones belonging to pontential foci detected in the patients
history and check them with the point finder for electric activity
(indicating focal disturbance) . A gold needle placed exactly into this point
(i. e , the point for a disturbing scar) alleviates the focal activity, reduces
inflammation and heals it completely after a few repeat treatments.
(Dental foci must usually be cleaned up by the dentist. How ever the focal
activity of a tooth is normally not discovered without ear acupuncture
diagnostics in the first place)