Aug 8, 2011 | By
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture; however, acupressure uses pressure from fingers or other instruments to stimulate energy points without breaking the skin. Acupressure beads are often used on the ear, which has a microsystem of points that practitioners say correspond to every part of your body. Some scientific evidence justifies the use of auricular or ear acupuncture-acupressure in managing medical conditions. However, results are not guaranteed. Talk to your doctor before trying auricular acupuncture or acupressure.
Auricular Acupuncture
Not an original component of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, auricular acupuncture was introduced in the 1950s by a French physician and was soon adopted into traditional training by the Chinese. Often used as an adjunct treatment, auricular acupuncture is performed with needles, beads or seeds as well as gentle, electrical stimulation. Beads and seeds are non-invasive, and are made from a variety of substances. They can be magnetic, made from steel, gold, silver or an actual plant seed. Often coming with a self-adhesive, a practitioner applies beads directly to the ear. In a few days, they will naturally fall off or can be removed.
Auricular Acupuncture Research
Ear acupuncture and acupressure are popular for pain management and other medical conditions. Smoking cessation programs that utilize auricular acupuncture alone or combined with other support methods see positive results. Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, New York, uses ear beads in drug and alcohol addiction programs, and in 1997 successfully added it to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder programs. Auricular acupuncture can also help with rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions. An August 2008 study published in "Forschende Komplementmedizin" found auricular electroacupuncture to provide both short and long-term pain relief.
Pain and Arthritis
The points your practitioner selects depend on the area of your pain and other conditions you may have. Pain, according to TCM, is constricted energy, or chi. Chi flows through your body along channels called meridians that correspond to body organs. Stagnating or "stuck" energy results in pain and illness. Arthritis is called "Bi syndrome" in TCM, and is believed to be influenced by climatological factors of wind, cold, heat or dampness. Ear points your practitioner chooses will depend on your symptoms and where the pain is located.
Ear Points for Arthritis
A variety of ear points can be chosen. However, Shenmen, a point located in the triangle formed by the Y-shaped structure in your ear, is the most widely recognized point and is used in most auricular treatments. Skye Abbate's textbook, "Chinese Auricular Acupuncture," also suggests a few more points for pain. The sympathetic point may stimulate dilation of the blood vessels, potentially reducing swelling and pain. The diaphragm, brain and adrenal points may also aid in reducing pain symptoms. In addition, your joints also have specific points; thus, if arthritis affects your knees or ankle, the practitioner can stimulate the corresponding point for greater benefit.
References
- Dr. L.B. Grotte, M.D.: Ear Acupuncture
- "American Journal of Public Health"; Auricular Acupuncture, Education, and Smoking Cessation; I.D. Bier, et al; October 2002
- Lincoln Hospital; Use of acupressure beads in the treatment of ADHD; M.O. Smith
- "Forschende Komplementmedizin"; Adjuvant Auricular Electroacupuncture and Autogenic Training in Rheumatoid Arthritis; M. Bernateck, et al.; August 2008
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Page; Healing Arthritis with Chinese Medicine; W. Liu, T.C.M.D., M.P.H., L.Ac.
- "Chinese Auricular Acupuncture"; S. Abbate; 2004
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