Multiple Uses of Auricular Points

22	Multiple Uses of Auricular Points

As the first organ to develop to its full size and become fully functional approximately 18 weeks after conception, the ear is also the first sense organ to begin working as early as the eighth week in utero. It is an extraordinary sensory organ that not only connects us with the world and each other through the power of hearing, but also serves as a unique and complete microsystem for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of virtually every human illness.

Physiologically, the ear is a powerful nexus of energy through which all of the 12 main channels either directly or indirectly intersect with the potent eight extraordinary vessels. This accessible energy is encapsulated in hundreds of auricular acupuncture points that make possible the utilization of the ear as an important method of treatment by clinicians. Auricular acupuncture is easy to learn and master, and when accurate point selection and needle technique are applied to the correct diagnosis, it yields dramatic, immediate, and long-lasting results with a high rate of clinical efficacy.

Assuming the clinician knows how to diagnose correctly and differentiate an illness as well as how to locate precisely and select auricular acupuncture points for a prescription, it is interesting to see how versatile the ear acupuncture points are for numerous and unrelated medical conditions due to their multiple, broad-based energetics that are the hallmark of Oriental medicine.

While a general rule of Oriental medicine is to “treat what you see” so that the unique energetic configuration of the individual is responded to, there are still what we might call core ear acupuncture points that the practitioner can frequently use so that the essential features of an illness are addressed. My recommendation is not that practitioners memorize any prescription but rather that they try to discern how each point contributes to the formula. By doing so, they will test their understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and signs and symptoms of a disease, and thus be able to select these points effortlessly when such an illness is encountered without the need to even reference the point energetics.

This chapter provides the reader with a comprehensive list of clinically effective formulas for the treatment of 26 common diseases. This information is offered in Table 22.1 in alphabetized chart form that makes it easy to access and study as well as to visualize the multiple functions of the same points. Certainly the practitioner should not apply these points to treatment without understanding the person’s medical history and the specific differentiation of illnesses, which may have several patterns. Correct location of the ear points of course, is essential to the treatment and the reader is encouraged to consult standards in the field or my last book, Chinese Auricular Acupuncture. ¹ The salient energetics of the core acupuncture points are listed below so that the reader can appreciate their role in the auricular prescription. Finally, in Table 22.2, treatment modality options are outlined for the practitioner.

Point Energetics

Shen Men

Shen men is the foremost point in the treatment of virtually every disease. Analogous to body shen men (Heart 7), ear shen men‘s functions largely pertain to the heart. Like body shen men, the earth point and thus the sedation point of the heart channel, ears—shen men adds “dampness” to the body. By virtue of this physiological function, it grounds the patient, and calms the spirit, thus putting the patient into a state of receptivity for treatment. It should be the first point treated in any ear acupuncture prescription because of these energetics.

The only contraindications for shen men are when there is already excess phlegm or dampness that would compromise the heart and lungs as in the case of COPD (coronary obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma or bronchitis characterized by excess phlegm. It is not contraindicated in other damp disorders such as leukorrhea, eczema, or obesity.

The heart is the supreme commander and governs the blood. Thus all blood disorders of vacuity, stagnation, extravasation, or rebelliousness can be treated with shen men. The Huang Di Nei Jing reminds us, “When the heart is serene, all pain is negligible” and this function is largely related to the heart’s role in blood regulation as well as the strong relationship of the heart to the mind and the spirit. Indeed, shen men proves to be a primary point in the treatment of pain.

Because of its internal pathway of “the eye system,” the heart also has a strong connection to the eye and can benefit many opthalmological disorders.

Brain

In my opinion, the brain is the second most important auricular point and should be used in almost every ear prescription. The brain controls everything—all bodily systems and parts—and thus it controls pain perception, movement, and the proper functioning of all the organs.

Sympathetic

Sympathetic is another major auricular point, instrumental in balancing the two branches of the autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. It promotes dilation of blood vessels, which aids in the relief of pain.

Adrenal

Adrenal point strengthens the function of the kidney particularly by controlling adrenal hormones involved in stress reactions. It reduces pain and quells anti-inflammatory responses.

Endocrine

Endocrine, sometimes referred to as the internal secretion point, regulates all the endocrine glands needed for homeostasis of the internal bodily environment. It is useful in all endocrine, i. e., hormonal disorders.

Kidney

Kidney is the organ that encapsulates the person’s genetic inheritance (constitution) as well as the state of one’s current health. It is useful in all chronic problems. The kidney is the root of the qi. It anchors and secures it thus keeping the person healthy and balanced physically and psychologically. Kidney governs all the developmental life phases from conception through puberty and adulthood, to menopause and aging. The kidney governs the anatomical and physiological domains of the back, the knees, the lower burner, the blood, hearing, and the head hair.

Liver

Liver is the organ responsible for the free flow of qi in the body, thus it can move stagnation anywhere in the body. The liver, like the heart and kidney, has a close relationship to the blood. While the heart dominates the blood and the kidney aids in its production, the liver stores the blood, releasing it in the daytime and during menstruation and storing it at night.

The liver dominates the tendons and the muscles. The Chinese character for tendon includes the nerves, tendons, and ligaments. Hence, the liver controlsany disorder of these structures. The eyes are the external manifestation of the liver and so the liver point is indicated in treatment of eye disorders.

Heart

Many of the functions detailed under shen men are also applicable for the heart, but the heart point directly relates to the heart organ/channel complex in Chinese medicine along with all of its voluminous Western usages. The heart point is synergistically reinforced when used with shen men but targets the treatment as related to the heart itself.

Spleen

Spleen, like all the organ points, has numerous physiological functions. It dominates the muscles, making it involved in all muscular movement and health. When the spleen is not functioning properly it is involved in the production of damp. The spleen is responsible for a healthy mind and a balanced spirit. As part of the Oriental digestive system, it is the primary organ involved in digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Supplementary Points

Diaphragm is an extremely powerful point. It assists in respiration and in moving the qi of the liver. The diaphragm, through its connection with the liver, moves the blood when stagnant. It also can make an inactive auricle reactive, thus it is a good point to use for this reason also.

Fingers are an area for all finger disorders.

Wrist is a local point for all wrist disorders.

Gall bladder pertains to the organ of the gall bladder that regulates the release of bile to the small intestine for digestive purposes. It treats all gall bladder disorders.

Stomach pertains to the stomach organ/channel complex. It is vital to the initial breakdown of food.

Lung points also have a zang fu connection. They are used for all respiratory problems. The lung points contribute to energy level, as the lungs are the master of the qi. They are also very applicable in skin problems and the healing of mucous membranes because the lung dominates the skin and the mucous membranes.

Large intestine is a local point for all large intestine problems.

Triple burner regulates the three burners, their functions and inter-relationships.
Cheek is a local point for cheek disorders.
Jaw is a local point for jaw disorders.
Brainstem is a local point for all functions of the brainstem. Brainstem treats shock and neuro-vegetative disorders.
Relax muscle is a specialized point within the liver area. It is a powerful point in pain relief because of this function.
Ovary is a local point for problems of the ovaries such as menopause, infertility, ovulatory problems, and more.
Ear apex treats liver yang rising symptoms such as hypertension and conjunctivitis.
Eye is a main local point for all eye disorders.
Eye 1 is a clinically effective point for eye problems.
Eye 2 is a clinically effective point for eye problems.
Inner ear is a local point for inner ear disorders.
Mouth point can be used as a local point for mouth diseases including stuttering, aphasia, dysphasia, oral ulcerations and others. The mouth point is also called the anti-fatigue point. One reason is that it is located close to the external auditory meatus, which is a very tender and delicate area and elicits a strong stimulus upon treatment. Secondly, the mouth point when stimulated in a tonifying manner, promotes eating, which gives one the energy derived from food, hence it combats fatigue.
Sciatic can be used for treatment of the sciatic nerve.
Cervical vertebrae are local points for disorders of the cervical vertebrae.
Neck is a local point for neck disorders.

Techniques

The practitioner has numerous auricular techniques to choose from depending upon his/her mode of preference, styles he/she may have been taught, or patient compliance. Table 22.2, excerpted from Chinese Auricular Acupuncture ¹ and presented below, summarizes these techniques. Please refer to my text or other ear acupuncture manuals for more detailed information on these modalities and their contraindications.

Modalities	Conditions
Massage	Massage can be applied by the therapist or the patient after the patient is instructed on where and how to massage the ear. Mark the spot to be massaged with a pellet or sterile marking pen
Needles	Needling is the most common auricular therapeutic modality. Needles can be inserted into any point. Insert—get qi—then tonify or disperse. Heat is the most desired sign of qi arrival. Note: I tend not to needle the heart or brain points because of their strong stimulus. For these points, I substitute pellets. However, it is not contraindicated to needle them
Ear seeds and herbal plasters	Semen vaccaria seeds provide a good stimulus due to their size and density. However, if they are not sterile they can increase the risk of infection. Herbal deposits on the seeds can impart herbal therapeutic benefits
Ear pellets—gold, silver, or other metals	Pellets are a good-size modality for auricular treatment. They provide a perfect stimulus and have the added benefit of being sterile. Additionally, pellets are available in various metals. Therefore, pellets can also be used for their metallurgic properties
Ear tacks	Tacks come in various sizes—extra small, small, medium, and large. The bigger the tack, the stronger the stimulus, so consider patient tolerance when choosing the tack size. There is a higher risk of infection with ear tacks if patients do not have the tacks removed at the proper time
Intradermal needles	Intradermal needles are used for areas such as the fingers or vertebral areas. Do not use in depressions in the ear such as the scaphoid fossa. The intradermal needle will not go into a depression easily and may break. Intradermal needles need to be placed on points on a ridge or flat area. Intradermals are available in various lengths. Select the appropriate length based upon the size of the point to be treated
Magnets	Magnets need to be removed at bedtime or if the stimulus becomes too strong for the patient. They are reusable on the same patient. Magnets do not pierce the skin, thus the risk of infection is reduced
Electroacupuncture	Electricity is good for anaesthetizing a point due to the electrical machine’s ability to achieve high frequencies that stimulate the point. Do not clean the ear with alcohol before using the point detector for diagnosis, as this will change the ear pathology and the electrical resistance of the ear
Bleeding	Bleeding is used to reduce heat/fire, subdue yang, stimulate qi and blood, or to move stagnant qi and blood
Moxibustion	Moxa use is limited but specific to treat earache or the common cold and other conditions. It can be applied indirectly over the point or with an incense-size moxa stick
Incisions/sutures	Incisions/sutures are a technique that is typically not employed in the Western countries because an incision is considered a surgical technique. An incision provides a constant stimulus to the point. Chances of infection are increased using incisions
Injections	Injections can be applied to the point with a hypodermic needle. Common injections include saline, vitamin B12, certain Chinese herbal formulations, lidocaine, procaine, and placenta. This procedure is slightly painful due to the small size of the point, the size of the hypodermic needle and the nature of the substance injected
Laser	Laser therapy is one of the newest modalities. It is painless and infection is not an issue. Ease of administration also makes it a good choice in treatment
Staples	Like incisions and sutures this is an old technique used to stimulate points. Seeds or pellets are commonly used now in the place of staples
Plum blossom needling	This modality may be applied to points of the lobe such as the eye point as well as used as a method to induce bleeding in the ear

Table 22.2 Auricular modalities

In conclusion, because the ear is unprecedented as an accessible and valuable avenue of treatment, the practitioner is encouraged to rediscover or refine his/her auricular medicine skills not only for easy and effective patient care but for treatment that can alleviate much disharmony and suffering.