Auricular Therapy for decreasing pain and anxiety is a wonderful treatment. While acupuncture may be practiced all over the body, one particularly interesting bodily relationship is that between the full body and the ear. In acupuncture, the ear is considered to be “holographic,” meaning that the entire body is considered to be mapped onto the ear, providing points of treatment for a range of ailments. Indeed, many consider ear acupuncture more effective than full-body acupuncture. Similarly, ear and foot mappings correspond, but ear treatments cause less pain than foot acupuncture.
Some areas of the body are represented more than once on the ear map of the body. This is at least in part because there are multiple types of points that are located on the ear, including helix points, sanjiao, and shenmen. Helix points work to reduce fevers, and treat swelling and other inflammation, while sanjiao points deal with glandular and circulatory problems, as well as chest and abdominal issues. Finally, shenmen points provide for sedation, help treat mental illnesses, reduce inflammation and pain, and aid in reducing the severity of epilepsy.
Because the ear maps the entire body, there are entire practices that deal exclusively with the ear. The most common of these is the NADA Protocol, developed through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association. The NADA Protocol targets five ear points, addressing lungs, liver, kidneys, anxiety, and stress. It’s simple to teach and used in addiction centers, prisons, shelters, and street outreach. Additionally, ear acupuncture’s flexibility makes the protocol accessible to those in need.