Ear acupuncture is a form of acupuncture performed solely on specific parts of the ear as a way to treat ailments of the whole body. Chinese medicine asserts that different points in the ear correlate with different body systems or functions, allowing an acupuncturist to positively influence a body part through treating the specific auricular acupuncture point on the ear. This type of medical treatment is referred to as a microsystem treatment, similar in nature to foot and hand reflexology.

Ear charts are available to show which points on the ear correlate with the different body systems, and acupuncturists treat these points using either thin, sterile, one-time-use acupuncture needles or small beads. During an auricular acupuncture session, you will rest comfortably in a chair while the acupuncturist selectively applies the needles in a painless manner and allows the needles to remain in place for the allotted amount of time (usually between 20 minutes to an hour). Sometimes the acupuncturist will apply a small bead to a point and ask you to apply pressure to the bead for specified amounts of time to help stimulate the appropriate responses in the body for ongoing support.

Auricular acupuncture is a form of medical treatment that has been trusted by the Asian world for centuries and is now making its way into Western countries as well. Auricular acupuncture is used to treat an array of illnesses, from allergic reactions to kidney trouble and from stomach irritations to chronic pain. It is used both as a primary form of treatment and as a supplemental form of treatment. It is especially popular for addicts in rehabilitation, since certain pressure points are used to release toxins from the body, inhibit stress-related destructive tendencies and help bolster emotional well-being in the form of reduced cravings and relief of feelings of anxiety. Detoxification of the body is a part of rehabilitation and auricular acupuncture has proven to be an effective detoxifier, stimulating the body in such a way that the body releases the toxins more efficiently.