Auricular therapy is a technique within Traditional Chinese Medicine widely used to treat addictions, mood disorders, headaches, obesity and pain, as well as musculoskeletal and central nervous system disorders. This healing practice dating back to the third century uses the outer ear, considered by doctors of Oriental medicine as a microcosm of the body. Consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Dr. Wilder Penfield, microsystem maps of the body that exist on the surface, or sensory cortex, of the brain are projected onto different areas of the body. This particularly applies to the auricle (outer ear).

Treatment takes advantage of the body’s own control center, the brain, and is performed by needling respective points on the ear. All signals induced by ear acupuncture travel through the part of the brain known as the diencephalon to the corresponding body parts. If necessary, the body is also needled with surgical stainless steel, gold-or silver-plated needles that are inserted only a millimeter under the skin. Most often, small, metal-plated magnetic beads or vaccaria seeds are used in the outer ear with adhesive plaster for longer-lasting self-stimulation of up to two weeks.

Generally done in conjunction with other modalities such as acupuncture, bodywork or herbal medicine, auricular therapy is most often used to help individuals deal with and recover from substance abuse. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, generally administered only on one ear without acupuncture on any other body parts, also helps with the emotional, physical and psychological attributes involved in addictions.

Rosemary Harris, owner of the Complete Well-Being Center, located at 684 Goodlette Rd., in Naples, is a doctor of Oriental medicine and licensed acupuncturist who offers auricular therapy. For more information call 239-404-0648 or visit CompleteWellBeingCenter.com.