Auricular, or ear, acupuncture coexists with regular body acupuncture in China and has been practiced for over 2500 years. However, modern research into its efficacy only began in the 1950's with the efforts of a French Doctor, Paul Nogier. Since then, this modality has been probably the most researched microsystem in the world. A well-known researcher of auriculotherapy is Dr. Terry Oleson who conducted pioneering research in the field at UCLA. The popular detoxification auricular treatment, NADA (National Addiction Detoxification Association) protocol, was developed as a result of Dr. Oleson's research.
There are over 250 acupoints on the ear but no meridians. The acupoints on the ears are arranged in the form of an inverted fetus with the points corresponding to the head on the lower part of the earlobe. There are many functional points on the ear and also points corresponding to different physical systems, such as the endocrine, and to various nervous systems. It is believd that this is the reason auricular acupuncture has been known to produce results more quickly for some conditions. Auricular acupuncture can be used by alone or in conjunction with body acupuncture. Auricular acupuncture is also an alternative for very sensitive people who cannot tolerate body acupuncture.
For more information, we recommend that you check out the F.A.Q. section of Dr. Oleson's website at http://www.auriculotherapy.com/.
The clinic offers two programs that specifically incorporate ear acupuncture with body acupuncture to acheive maximum results -- the Smoking Cessation Program and the Weight Control Program -- and invite you to call for more information.