Auricular Acupuncture

Rhonda McBride, PhD, LCDC

Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicinal art that has been around for centuries and has been used to successfully alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments of all kinds.  Acupuncture is time tested, and is a proven evidenced based method of treatment.

A report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in their lifetime, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

Auricular acupuncture is a widely used micro-system within Traditional Oriental Medicine.  Microsystems use one area, or aspect of the body - for example, the ears, hands or feet - to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body.

The microsystem of the ear 

Auricular Acupuncture can help with alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation.  When used in the treatment setting during the acute detoxification phase, acupuncture is very effective in alleviating nausea, pain and anxiety commonly associated with withdrawal.  Acupuncture helps the patient become more comfortable and focused in the treatment process and stay engaged in treatment longer.  One of the main reasons people quit treatment, or return to their drug of choice, is due to physical or emotional discomfort.  Acupuncture helps relieve this discomfort.

When a person is going through the initial withdrawal stage from alcohol and drug addition, it is important for them to receive an acupuncture treatment daily until they are able to be abstinent from drugs and alcohol.  Once the person is feeling better and has ceased their use of drugs and alcohol, the frequency of acupuncture treatments can be decreased to once or twice per week for several weeks.  It is recommended that acupuncture treatments continue on a monthly basis for the recovering person. This helps to maintain balance, calm and focus.

When combined with psychological counseling by addiction specialists and participation in recovery support groups, acupuncture can be a very effective complimentary practice in a person’s recovery program.  Not only does acupuncture work well in the acute stage of detoxification,  acupuncture helps manage post acute withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and depression and helps the recovering person manage cravings. In my practice, I use the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol for auricular acupuncture extensively with my clients.  The NADA protocol uses five specific ear acupuncture points on each ear for addiction treatment:

Sympathetic point – Balances sympathetic and parasympathetic   

nervous  systems and has a strong analgesic effect.

Shen-men point – Called “Spirit Gate”, has a calming and relaxing effect to

help alleviate anxiety and nervousness that can accompany withdrawal.

Kidney point – Tones and stimulates the source of energy and essence that

is often damaged through chemical abuse. The kidney point can also help

resolve fear and increase the willpower needed to overcome addiction.

Liver point – Stimulating the liver point promotes repair of the Liver from

drug and alcohol abuse and aids in resolving anger and aggression.

Lung point – Strengthens the immune system and accelerates

detoxification. Emotionally, it is associated with grief and letting go.

In the mid-1970s, Michael Smith, a medical doctor at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx area of New York, modified an existing system of auricular acupuncture into a simple technique for the treatment of many common drug addictions.  He did this as an alternative to using methadone for the treatment of opiate addiction. This selection of ear points proved to be extremely effective in the treatment of addictions, and became what is now referred to as the “NADA protocol.

The original NADA protocol consisted of electrical stimulation on the lung point of a patient’s ear. It was soon discovered, however, that inserting tiny needles into the same point produced a more prolonged effect than that produced by electric stimulation.  Gradually, adding Shen Men, a well-known ear point that produces a sensation of relaxation, expanded the protocol.  Over the next few years, other points were added based on pain resistance, sensitivity, and other clinical factors. The NADA protocol used today consists of the insertion of small, stainless-steel, disposable acupuncture needles into five points on the outer surface of a person’s ear. The points used in the NADA protocol are Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, and Lung.

In a typical session, both ears of the patient are stimulated, or needled, at the same time, usually for between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. Sometimes the procedure is done in an individual setting and other times in a group setting. When acupuncture is done in a group setting it helps build support among those being treated and helps break down feelings of isolation and fear.  I have found both methods of treatment very effective.

So, how does it work?  The effectiveness of acupuncture is certain, but exactly how it works is a mystery.   Acupuncture is an Oriental Medicine treatment where acupuncture needles are inserted into the body. The needles are inserted intoacupuncture points to adjust the Qi, or energy, of our body. These acupuncture points exist along energy channels called acupuncture meridians, which connect thesurface of our body with our internal organs. By altering the flow of Qi, acupuncturecan help people naturally detoxify from addiction and substance abuse.

People treated with auricular acupuncture often report an improved sense of well-being.  Clients often state that they feel “energized,” “lighter” and “more relaxed” after undergoing a session.  In most cases, they request more follow-up sessions following the initial treatment because they feel so relaxed and peaceful.  In addition, they report that the effects last for several hours and even several days in some instances.

Auricular Acupuncture

Rhonda McBride, PhD, LCDC

Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicinal art that has been around for centuries and has been used to successfully alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments of all kinds.  Acupuncture is time tested, and is a proven evidenced based method of treatment.

A report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in their lifetime, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

Auricular acupuncture is a widely used micro-system within Traditional Oriental Medicine.  Microsystems use one area, or aspect of the body - for example, the ears, hands or feet - to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body.

The microsystem of the ear 

Auricular Acupuncture can help with alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation.  When used in the treatment setting during the acute detoxification phase, acupuncture is very effective in alleviating nausea, pain and anxiety commonly associated with withdrawal.  Acupuncture helps the patient become more comfortable and focused in the treatment process and stay engaged in treatment longer.  One of the main reasons people quit treatment, or return to their drug of choice, is due to physical or emotional discomfort.  Acupuncture helps relieve this discomfort.

When a person is going through the initial withdrawal stage from alcohol and drug addition, it is important for them to receive an acupuncture treatment daily until they are able to be abstinent from drugs and alcohol.  Once the person is feeling better and has ceased their use of drugs and alcohol, the frequency of acupuncture treatments can be decreased to once or twice per week for several weeks.  It is recommended that acupuncture treatments continue on a monthly basis for the recovering person. This helps to maintain balance, calm and focus.

When combined with psychological counseling by addiction specialists and participation in recovery support groups, acupuncture can be a very effective complimentary practice in a person’s recovery program.  Not only does acupuncture work well in the acute stage of detoxification,  acupuncture helps manage post acute withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and depression and helps the recovering person manage cravings. In my practice, I use the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol for auricular acupuncture extensively with my clients.  The NADA protocol uses five specific ear acupuncture points on each ear for addiction treatment:

Sympathetic point – Balances sympathetic and parasympathetic   

nervous  systems and has a strong analgesic effect.

Shen-men point – Called “Spirit Gate”, has a calming and relaxing effect to

help alleviate anxiety and nervousness that can accompany withdrawal.

Kidney point – Tones and stimulates the source of energy and essence that

is often damaged through chemical abuse. The kidney point can also help

resolve fear and increase the willpower needed to overcome addiction.

Liver point – Stimulating the liver point promotes repair of the Liver from

drug and alcohol abuse and aids in resolving anger and aggression.

Lung point – Strengthens the immune system and accelerates

detoxification. Emotionally, it is associated with grief and letting go.

In the mid-1970s, Michael Smith, a medical doctor at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx area of New York, modified an existing system of auricular acupuncture into a simple technique for the treatment of many common drug addictions.  He did this as an alternative to using methadone for the treatment of opiate addiction. This selection of ear points proved to be extremely effective in the treatment of addictions, and became what is now referred to as the “NADA protocol.

The original NADA protocol consisted of electrical stimulation on the lung point of a patient’s ear. It was soon discovered, however, that inserting tiny needles into the same point produced a more prolonged effect than that produced by electric stimulation.  Gradually, adding Shen Men, a well-known ear point that produces a sensation of relaxation, expanded the protocol.  Over the next few years, other points were added based on pain resistance, sensitivity, and other clinical factors. The NADA protocol used today consists of the insertion of small, stainless-steel, disposable acupuncture needles into five points on the outer surface of a person’s ear. The points used in the NADA protocol are Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, and Lung.

In a typical session, both ears of the patient are stimulated, or needled, at the same time, usually for between 30 minutes and 45 minutes. Sometimes the procedure is done in an individual setting and other times in a group setting. When acupuncture is done in a group setting it helps build support among those being treated and helps break down feelings of isolation and fear.  I have found both methods of treatment very effective.

So, how does it work?  The effectiveness of acupuncture is certain, but exactly how it works is a mystery.   Acupuncture is an Oriental Medicine treatment where acupuncture needles are inserted into the body. The needles are inserted intoacupuncture points to adjust the Qi, or energy, of our body. These acupuncture points exist along energy channels called acupuncture meridians, which connect thesurface of our body with our internal organs. By altering the flow of Qi, acupuncturecan help people naturally detoxify from addiction and substance abuse.

People treated with auricular acupuncture often report an improved sense of well-being.  Clients often state that they feel “energized,” “lighter” and “more relaxed” after undergoing a session.  In most cases, they request more follow-up sessions following the initial treatment because they feel so relaxed and peaceful.  In addition, they report that the effects last for several hours and even several days in some instances.