Auricular Reflexology
Auricular reflexology, sometimes called ear therapy or auriculotherapy, is a form of complementary medicine based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem of the entire body. By stimulating specific points on the ear, practitioners aim to promote healing and balance throughout the body and mind.
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The technique is grounded in principles similar to acupuncture and reflexology. Practitioners may use gentle finger pressure, tiny seeds (such as vaccaria seeds), small magnets, or fine needles to activate points on the external ear. These points correspond to different organs, systems, and emotional states.
Auricular therapy can support:
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Pain management (such as back pain, migraines, or arthritis)
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Stress and anxiety reduction
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Addiction recovery support (e.g., smoking cessation)
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Digestive balance
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Hormonal regulation
It is a gentle, non-invasive treatment often incorporated into broader wellness and complementary therapy plans. Many clients find auricular therapy deeply relaxing, with effects that may continue after the session through the use of ear seeds that stimulate points over several days.
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Auricular therapy has roots in ancient practices but was modernised in the 1950s by French neurologist Dr. Paul Nogier, who mapped the "homunculus" or "inverted foetus" onto the ear. His work demonstrated how stimulating specific auricular points could influence distant parts of the body via the nervous system.
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Today, auricular therapy is recognised worldwide and integrated into both complementary and mainstream healthcare settings for its calming and therapeutic effects.
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References
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Nogier, P. (1957). Treatise of Auriculotherapy. Maisonneuve.
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Oleson, T. (2014). Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture (4th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
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World Health Organization. (1990). Report of the Working Group on Auricular Acupuncture Standardization.