Auricular Acupuncture 

Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external surface of the ear. This method of acupuncture was developed by Dr. Paul Nogier, a French neurologist in the 1950’s. It is based on the understanding that the ear is a microsystem of the entire body, as it resembles an inverted fetus. By needling into the location of the ear that corresponds with the larger body, he was able to treatment ailments and symptoms through the ear.

Auricular acupuncture took on a role in the US military in the form of “battlefield acupuncture”. Specific points in the ear are needled to treat pain, trauma, and addictions. This treatment protocol of five points called the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol has effective results in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. It is often used to aid in smoking cessation.