An Auricular Protocol

Auricular kits are available at Michelle’s Etsy store, Dancing Ears Design. These are for self care as well as for assisting friends and family. Downloadable protocols for many health conditions as well as a manual which contains all of the protocols plus more content on using ear crystals as jewelry, Five Element correspondences, and more tips for discovery. If you would like help with choosing or applying ear seeds/crystals, please fill out the contact form for a free consultation.

Many people want to lose weight. Ear acupressure/acupuncture is known to help calm the brain and lessen impulse-related eating.

These points can be very helpful in reducing cravings, especially when it is related to habits of eating when bored, eating when stressed, and the like.

When weight problems are related to a systemic illness, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, acupressure may assist but will not be enough to change these conditions. Such deeper causes may require nutritional plans, medications, and/or other interventions. Acupressure can assist with a smoother recovery from flares and also significantly reduces symptoms in many cases.

Weight Control Points

Always use Stomach, Shen Men, and Appetite Control points.

San Jiao is a point that corresponds with the Chinese system known as the “3 burners.” This point helps to circulate fluids and blood throughout the entire lymph and blood system. It is good at “unsticking” areas of poor circulation. A great one to add for weight because it will boost circulation from head to toe. Stagnation of flow is a common culprit in many health conditions per Chinese medicine diagnoses.

Adrenal gland is helpful when stress is related to overeating or undereating. Some people eat more when stressed. Others do not eat at all. This point can be used in either case.

Master Cerebral for overthinking, too much preoccupation with work or family.

Master Sensorial for aversion to foods, whether “good” foods or “bad” foods. Use when there is a childhood aversion to a particular food like broccoli or anything green. The sight or smell of a food elicits a reaction.

Esophagus and Mouth help control cravings. Adds a stronger ability to curb appetite when used along with Appetite Control.

Point Zero has an extra stabilizing effect. Assists with nervous eating, rigidity about foods or food choices, and irregular eating times.

Thalamus is good for establishing better balance between brain and body. Use for distorted self image with regards to one’s actual weight. (Note this point is on the underside of the antitragus, and therefore, a small pellet is best).

Small Intestines helps in the assimilation of food. Assists with the first step in digestion (breaking foods down and distributing particles). Use to help assimilate what is eaten.

Other Tips/Recommendations

When applying ear pellets for weight loss, do so as early in the day as possible. The metabolism is just getting warmed up in the morning and this is a good time to “rewire” the circuits.

Do not eat for the first 15 minutes after the ear seeds/pellets are inserted. Allow the body to absorb the benefits.

Stimulate the points when hungry by pressing down on the point lightly, or holding the point between 2 fingers. Only light stimulation is needed.

Clinical Studies

There have been numerous studies on the use of points to curb appetite, as well as to manage other aspects of weight control such as lowering lipids, modulating the rate of gastric peristalsis, and decreasing anxiety-associated or impulse eating.

A randomized controlled trial by Richards & Marley (1998) concluded that weight loss was significantly greater in a group receiving auricular acupuncture versus sham acupuncture. The points Shen Men and Stomach were stimulated. It was theorized that the appetite was suppressed by stimulating the auricular branch of the vagal nerve. The vagal nerve is one of the main nerves that supplies innervation to the ear itself.

Niemtzow (1998) measured blood assays in 42 patients suffering from obesity. After a 12-week period of stimulating points that included Shen Men, Appetite Control, and Point Zero, significant reductions in lipid levels as well as reductions in actual physical weight were noted. These patients were also advised to maintain a high protein diet over the 12-week course. Mean weight loss was reduced from 206 to 187 pounds.

REFERENCES

Richards, D. & Marley, J. (1998). Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss [Abstract]. Australian Family Physician. 27, 73-77. doi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9679359

Niemtzow R.R., Little J.R., Matanga M.A., Ferrer B., Corn J., & Kitto W. (1998). A high-protein regimen and auriculomedicine for the treatment of obesity: a second clinical observation. Medical Acupuncture, 16(9): 15–21.