I am going to start a new series in the acupuncture news titled: Why did you put that needle there? The reason being that acupuncture is a bit of weird and wonderful mystery medicine. I feel that way myself and I have been practicing for more than 20 years, so I imagine that you might think it’s even weirder than I do, and maybe you sometimes wonder this very question.
This month I want to talk about ear acupuncture. Ear acupuncture is one of my favourite kinds of acupuncture because, like a lot of acupuncture, it is pretty simple to learn, simple to do, and often very effective. Ear acupuncture has been around for a long time but some of its ideas and practices are relatively new. A French doctor discovered ear acupuncture when some of his patients told him about treatments they were getting for sciatica. Intrigued he began to study up on it and went on to create a whole new system of ear acupuncture.
Ear acupuncture is one of many, what we call micro systems. A micro system is found somewhere on the body – your ear, hand, scalp, to name a few places. Within these Microsystems we can treat the entire body. So within the ear alone we can treat virtually any condition and any part of the body. In our clinic we often use ear points to treat things like stress, pain, and to enhance body functions, like digestion. The ear points are very good for calming our nervous system and seem to take effect almost immediately.
The devices (needles) we use for the ears are tiny, about as thick as your hair, and only go a very short distance into your ear – a few millimetres. Still they can sometimes feel very strong despite being so tiny. The ears are sensitive! Perhaps that is why they often seem so effective.
When I was a student I studied a practice known as NADA. NADA stands for National Acupuncture Detox Association, and it was also a group of five points in the ear used to treat addiction. Through some trial and error it was discovered that this group of 5 points had a powerful effect on reducing cravings that came from withdrawal. The points also seem to reduce other withdrawal symptoms, and in some ways they simulated some of the calming and sedating effects of the drugs and alcohol folks were using in the first place. During my student years I volunteered at several outpatient centres that offered this five point protocol to its clients. I remember feeling so impressed by the stories of folks who were receiving the treatments. Many of them shared how much the acupuncture supported them in their detox and withdrawal.
The NADA protocol is still widely practiced today. In some parts of the world, people who have completed NADA training can offer this Five point protocol of tiny needles to people’s ears. The protocol is now used for many more things than just detox and withdrawal. Some have started using it for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for inmates in prison systems, for ADHD, and many other applications. This treatment is another example of how effective and yet simple acupuncture can be. So many benefits without any side effects!
We would love to hear about your experience of ear acupuncture the next time you’re in the clinic!