Tag Archives: Auricular Acupuncture

How Does Auricular Acupuncture Treat Smoking Addiction?

A lot of smokers find it so difficult to quit smoking. They are hooked on nicotine, a substance that’s three times more addictive than cocaine or heroin. Most probably, these people have tried all sorts of ways to quit: counseling, nicotine patches, and gum, etc. All have failed.

In this article, we will delve into one clinically effective technique that has helped a lot of ex-smokers overcome their nicotine addiction withdrawal. This technique stems from tens of hundreds of years of Chinese Acupuncture, and over a half century of European medical innovation, research, and practice. This therapy is known as Auricular Acupuncture and it may just be the answer smokers are looking for.

What is Auricular Acupuncture?

Auricular acupuncture (Also known as Auriculomedicine, auricular therapy, or ear acupuncture) is a procedure that originated in France. It is a form of treatment that uses basic Western medical science (mainly based on neurology/neurophysiology) and theories of classical acupuncture.

The process itself involves either the application of filiform, single use sterile needles into the skin of the auricle or the outer ear. As an alternative to needles, low level laser may also be used for stimulation. In general, the acupuncturist uses a series of acupuncture points (usually two to five), and often combine them with predetermined points in the body (also to be stimulated by laser or needle). The process is 100 percent pain-free leaving the patient extremely comfortable and relaxed.

How Does Auricular Acupuncture?

Several theories abound as to how acupuncture works. But the potency of auricular acupuncture is well known and has been thoroughly researched. When the outer ear is stimulated, either with laser or needle, the body releases euphoria-inducing chemicals known as endorphins.

The endorphins are produced and released by the pituitary gland and some areas of the CNS or central nervous system. There is evidence that Auricular Acupuncture influences the CSF or cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum levels of endorphins.

When a person is addicted to nicotine (through smoking tobacco) he tends to experience high endorphin levels. So, how does Auricular Acupuncture, which also stimulates the release of endorphins, work?

A couple of reasons, one is when a person decides to quit smoking. The endorphins inside his CNS will decrease naturally and will need to be maintained. Two, the amount of endorphins in his body doesn’t increase with Auricular Acupuncture therapy; it simply regulates the rate of release. Because of these, patients who have quit and require assistance with their withdrawal can be helped, and patients that need assistance in putting down the cigarette and resisting the urge to smoke can also be helped.

The benefits related to Auricular Acupuncture therapy (a sense of relaxation and calmness) occurs when endorphins are released and the stimulation creates an analgesic or painkilling effect. This effect happens from the activity generated through reflex stimulation inside the prefrontal and somatosensory cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray. This causes the symptoms of withdrawal (physical cravings, stress, restlessness, and anxiety) to be successfully treated.

What Occurs During an Auricular Acupuncture Treatment?

First, the patient needs to be sure that the physician or acupuncturist is qualified and has experience in Auricular Acupuncture therapy (he has undergone specialized training in Auricular Acupuncture and not just in traditional Acupuncture). A majority of people who are trained in this technique have undergone their training in clinics, in the US and Europe. In Australia, there are just a few practitioners who are able to use this method properly and effectively.

Treatment often involves a thorough evaluation of the patient’s health status via a number of diagnostic methods. One specific form of assessment that acupuncturists often use is the inspecting of laterality dysfunction. The term laterality refers to the harmonious state of interaction between the brain’s two cerebral hemispheres. The hemisphere that is dominant (which is the right side for a left-handed person and the left side for a right handed person) needs to be first established so that a correct acupuncture point selection can be made. Laterality dysfunctions may occur from any emotional or physical trauma that the patient has experienced in his past – it can happen at any time.

Signs of laterality dysfunction may include productivity difficulties (such as confusion in co-ordination and concentration problems), behavioral problems (stress, anxiety, depression), and learning disorders (dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, etc.). Clinical studies have discovered that people addicted to nicotine or any other substances are trying to balance or “re-lateralize” themselves. There has been clinical evidence to support the claims that Auricular Acupuncture is the fastest and best way to cure such problems.

One should know that Laterality Dysfunction is the reason a lot of acupuncture treatments are not as effective as they should be. In reality, this issue can be seen as an obstruction to treatment, and hence needs to be diagnosed and addressed first. To determine the points on the outer ear that are the most “active,” the acupuncturist may either use a polarized or filter object combined with a pulse procedure (known as VAS or Vascular Autonomic Signal) to ascertain which of the acupoints on the outer ear are the most “active.” This needs to be done because the auricle literally has hundreds of acupoints and acupuncturists are merely “stabbing in the dark” when they don’t utilize this method. Unfortunately, laser therapies that are protocol based are like this and hence do not often completely help the patient.

Patient Cooperation

The acupuncturist needs to explain to the patient the procedure he or she needs to go through and the duration of the treatment. Typically, the number of treatment sessions the patient needs is around two to six. From time to time, to ensure patients are still on track, a “booster” or follow-up treatment is advised.

The cooperation of the patient is very important and we usually recommend the patient to not smoke a few hours before the initial treatment. This is because most of them tend to become anxious just before the procedure and may need to light a cigarette to calm their nerves. After the procedure, we advice patients not to attend social gatherings or any stressful situations in which they would normally tend to smoke.

Conclusion

For those wishing to quit smoking, Auricular Acupuncture is an extremely effective form of treatment. The myths surrounding acupuncture about being uncomfortable and painful do not apply to this procedure. Patients who have tried it have discovered a deeper sense of relaxation that usually bolsters their confidence and makes them more determined to quit.

Studies Validate Auricular Acupuncture’s Effectiveness In Treating Insomnia

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACA) published a study showing ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture to be quite effective in treating insomnia. The researchers in the study gathered data from six controlled randomized trials. All the trials were done in conducted in Hong Kong or mainland China. One was in English and five were in Chinese. 402 out of the 673 subjects were given auricular acupuncture therapy. Western drugs were given to the control group in four of the trials. One used fake or auricular acupuncture and the other used routine medical care.

The researchers observed that the subjects treated with auricular acupuncture experienced greater improvement compared to the people in the control groups. In addition, auricular acupuncture brought about better recovery from insomnia than diazepam. For feeling refreshed upon waking, for boosting sleep to 6 hours a night, and for remaining asleep during the night, auricular acupuncture was preferred over the control methods.

Diazepam initially sold under the label Valium. Doctors commonly used this drug to treat alcohol withdrawal, seizures, insomnia, and anxiety.

No conclusions were done about the efficacy of longstanding treatment of insomnia using auricular acupuncture due to the lack of follow-up information. Also, no conclusions were made about the safety of auricular acupuncture use for the treatment of insomnia again due to a lack of information on harmful effects.

A typical disorder marked by difficulty going to sleep and/or staying asleep, insomnia is often related with functional impairment while awake. Functional impairment associated with insomnia during the day includes occupational impairment, depression, irritability, and drowsiness.

Based on a study sponsored by the WHO or World Health Organization, 16 percent of subjects experienced problems falling asleep and 25 percent of subjects either woke up too early or had problems remaining asleep. Based on statistics gleaned from the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are about 60 million Americans suffering from insomnia affecting about 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women.

If You Seriously Want To Quit Smoking, You Should Consider Auricular Acupuncture

With the all too many ill-effects smoking has, not only to our health but to the world around us, many of us (especially those who are addicted to nicotine) still find it unbelievably difficult to quit. Being a chronic smoker myself, I have already been through numerous counseling sessions and nicotine gum and patches in order to quit, all to no avail. Fortunately, I was able to discover an ancient Chinese secret and European healing innovation that has helped me break my smoking habit and turned my life around.

This article will talk about this secret in the hope that it will help you get over the difficulties in trying to quit smoking for good, especially in dealing with nicotine addiction withdrawal. This method, which has been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years, is acupuncture, but specifically, the more than six decades of European medical innovation, research, and practice known as Auricular Acupuncture.

What is Auricular Acupuncture?

Auricular Acupuncture, also called ear acupuncture or auriculotherapy is a form of acupuncture treatment that originated and was refined in France. It is a procedure that utilizes the theories of traditional acupuncture and basic modern medical science (mainly based on neurology/neurophysiology).

Auricular Acupuncture basically involves the insertion of ultra-thin, single-use, disposable, and sterile needles onto the auricle or outer ear. A modern form uses low level laser instead of needles to stimulate the acupuncture points on the ear. Two to five acupoints are generally used for treatment, which is often combined with needling or “lasering” of selected acupoints on the body. Both needling and laser auriculotherapy are 100 percent safe and pain-free procedures that leaves you extremely comfortable and relaxed.

How Does Auricular Acupuncture Work?

Several theories have been postulated as to how acupuncture actually works. But with regards to Auricular Acupuncture, years of research have shown it to definitely work for a wide range of health conditions. When the outer ear auricle is stimulated, either with laser or needle (studies have shown the laser is less effective than needling but, nonetheless, still effective), natural pain-killing chemicals are released by the brain to calm and relax the person and ease the pain.

Certain parts of the CNS (central nervous system) and the pituitary gland secrete the endorphins, which is triggered by Auricular Acupuncture. The treatment has been shown to influence the blood serum and endorphin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

A person addicted to nicotine (through tobacco smoking) will naturally show high levels of endorphins in his/her body. If this is the case, then how can Auricular Acupuncture help lessen a person’s smoking cravings since nicotine has already increased endorphin levels in the smoker’s bloodstream?

When a person has decided to give up smoking, the CNS will stop secreting endorphins in the body. This results in the rise of symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, which can be very difficult to overcome, and more often than not, is the reason why most people fail to stop smoking. Therefore, the endorphin levels of the person need to be maintained. Auricular Acupuncture actually doesn’t increase a person’s endorphin levels per se; it just stabilizes the rate of release. In this manner, people who have quit, and need assistance with the withdrawal symptoms can be helped, and people who need assistance in actually stopping their smoking can be treated.

As mentioned a while ago, Auricular Acupuncture can be extremely comfortable and relaxing to the patient. This occurs because of the treatment’s ability to release endorphins that brings about a state of analgesia. This effect is caused by the activity within the prefrontal cortex, somatosensory, thalamus, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray regions of the brain that is stimulated via needles/laser. This makes it possible to successfully treat symptoms of nicotine withdrawal including physical cravings, stress, restlessness, and anxiety.

What Does Auricular Acupuncture Treatment Involve?

Patients should first look for a trained and licensed acupuncturist who has specialized in Auricular Acupuncture and is preferably experienced. Most of these specialized acupuncturists have had done their training within specific clinics in the United States or Europe.

Treatment typically begins with a full evaluation of the patient’s condition by means of various diagnostic procedures. One specific mode of evaluation that acupuncturists use is the examining of laterality dysfunction. Laterality means the state of harmonic interaction between the brain’s two cerebral hemispheres. In order to select the correct acupoints to be used, the dominant hemisphere of the patient must first be determined (a left-handed person will have a dominant right hemisphere and vice versa). Laterality dysfunction may be caused by any emotional or physical trauma that a person experienced in life; it may happen at any time.

Laterality dysfunction may manifest through productivity problems (such as difficulty in coordination and concentration), behavioral issues (stress, anxiety, depression) and learning disorders (dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, etc.). Medical studies have revealed that people with substance addiction (specifically nicotine) are striving to re-balance or re-lateralize themselves. The studies show that Auricular Acupuncture is the quickest and most ideal mode of treatment for such disorders.

The issue of Laterality Dysfunction is often why a lot acupuncture treatments (like protocol based clinics) do not succeed. Laterality dysfunction is an obstruction to treatment, and should first be diagnosed and treated before actual acupuncture treatment is initiated.

Practitioners may utilize either a polarized object or filter combined with a certain pulse procedure called VAS or Vascular Autonomic Signal to identify the points on the outer ear that are the most “active”. This is important since the ear has hundreds of acupuncture points practitioners will be at a loss when finding the right acupoints to treat. Unfortunately, laser treatments that are protocol based are like this and hence, are usually unable to completely help the patient.

The Patient’s Role in the Treatment

The practitioner must explain to the patient the process that they will go through and how long the treatment will least. Most patients require between two to six sessions of therapies. A follow-up session is sometimes necessary to make sure the treatment is going as it should.

The cooperation of the patient is also needed. Before treatment, some acupuncturists will advise their patients to try not to smoke (for a few hours, at least), since to relieve their anxiety, many of them tend to smoke a cigarette before treatment. It is also advised that the patient should avoid any stressful situations and social settings in which they would normally smoke. This can be a bit difficult and its success will depend on the willpower of the patient.

Conclusion

For people who earnestly want to quit smoking, Auricular Acupuncture can be a very good option. The assumptions surrounding acupuncture about being uncomfortable and painful don’t really apply to this procedure, since after treatment most patients experience a renewed confidence in themselves, a deeper sense of relaxation, and a strong determination to quit.

Studies Indicate Auricular Acupuncture’s Effectiveness In Treating Common Health Problems

Ear or auricular acupuncture is a form of acupuncture that entails the insertion of needles into certain points on the outer ear or auricle. When these points are stimulated, it leads to the healing of other parts of the body.

Auricular acupuncture, also called auricular therapy is usually integrated into conventional acupuncture treatments. Although this type of acupuncture is mainly based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine (a form of alternative medicine that came from China), it was mainly developed and refined by French doctor, Paul Nogier in the mid twentieth century.

Applications of Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is utilized to boost vital energy (called qi or chi) in the body and to restore or promote balance between two opposing but complementary energies known as yin and yang in the internal organs. These two functions of auricular acupuncture are deemed indispensible in the attainment of health and treatment of disease in traditional Chinese medicine.

Auricular acupuncture is a form of alternative treatment that’s often used for the following health conditions:

• Migraine
• Low back pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Fibromyalgia
• Depression
• Constipation
• Chronic pain
• Arthritis
• Anxiety
• Allergies

Besides these, auricular acupuncture is occasionally used to support weight loss, alleviate stress, promote adequate quality sleep, relieve pain, help in the cessation of smoking, and the improvement of mood.

Auricular Acupuncture – Its Benefits

Despite the lack of large-scale clinical trials on auricular acupuncture, several studies indicate that this type of treatment may help in the resolution of a number of health problems.

The following is a list of several findings on auricular acupuncture and the health benefits it can potentially provide:

Smoking

Studies dealing with the efficacy of auricular acupuncture in the cessation of smoking have so far produced mixed results. For example, the Swiss Journal of Research in Complementary and Natural Classical Medicine published a study in 2004 that surveyed 126 people who have been treated with auricular acupuncture to help them stop smoking. The study found that the therapy had a 41.1 percent rate of success that lasted a whole year.

Based on this finding, the authors of the study concluded that this success rate makes auricular acupuncture “a viable alternative to conventional medicine withdrawal techniques.”

However, the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine published a clinical trial study indicating that auricular acupuncture treatment of 125 people was no more effective than a placebo treatment in the improvement of the likelihood of smoking cessation.

The study involved treatments done once a week for five consecutive weeks.

Insomnia

With regard to the treatment of insomnia, several studies suggest that auricular acupuncture can be helpful in the curing of this condition. Some of those studies were published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine in 2003. These studies observed the impacts of a type of auricular acupuncture that entails the use of magnetic pearls to activate acupuncture points.

In one of those studies, auricular acupuncture was administered to 15 elderly people suffering from insomnia for three weeks. Outcomes showed that the subjects had a notable rise in both quantity and quality of their sleep that last for half a year after the end of the study.

Constipation

A medical review published in 2010 in the JACM (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine) indicates that auricular acupuncture may help in the treatment of constipation. Researchers reviewed 29 studies on the application of this type of acupuncture in the management of constipation.

Despite the reports showing the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture in the treatment of constipation in all of the studies, the reviewers concluded that more studies are required to validate these findings because of major flaws found in the reviewed studies.

Post-Surgery Pain

In 2010, the JACM published a report in which researchers reviewed 17 studies on the effects of auricular acupuncture in the management of pain. It was concluded by the authors of the report that this therapy can work in relieving postsurgical pain and a variety of bodily pain.

Migraine

According to a study published in 2012 in the Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research, auricular acupuncture works in the treatment of migraines. The results on 35 patients with migraine were analyzed and according to the authors of the study, auricular acupuncture treatments once a week for two months resulted in major improvements in mood and pain.

Using Auricular Acupuncture to Enhance Health

You need to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first if you’re thinking of trying auricular acupuncture. Delaying or avoiding conventional care or treating yourself can lead to serious health consequences.