Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ear Acupuncture by Dr. Joseph Arevalo
Ear Acupuncture is a system of acupuncture that uses the external ear to identify and treat dysfunctions of the body by stimulating specific points in the ear. Auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) is a microsystem that has been popularly used for addiction treatment, such as eating and nicotine.
Ear acupuncture is a combination of science and art.
The science of ear acupuncture is based on the stimulation of the nerves innervating the ear. Four nerves have been identified to innervate the auricle. The great auricular nerve (cervical plexus), the auriculotemporal nerve (trigeminal nerve), the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, and the occipitalis minor nerve (cervical plexus).
Figure 1.
Source: emedicine.medscape.com
Figure 2.
Ear Acupoints
For example (in correspondence to the acupoints and the nerve distribution), the stomach point on Figure 2. correlates with the Auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve has the largest amount of branches than any other cranial nerve and is one of the largest sensory nerves in the body. A Vagotomy (removal of the Vagus nerve) is currently being researched as a less invasive alternative weight-loss procedure to gastric bypass surgery. However, based on the risks associated with most surgeries, serious complications can occur. The associated risk factors for auriculotherapy is significantly less than surgery.
ear acupuncture, weight loss, gastric bypass surgery, auriculotherapy, acupressure points on ear, ear acupressure points, ear pressure points
Dr. Nick Hodgson is a chiropractor in Australia who specializes in auriculotherapy. His video explains the history, philosophy and application of auriculotherapy.
Auriculotherapy Part 1.
