Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture for Treatment of Drug and Alcohol

ProblemsDr David Cowan, Reader, Faculty of Health & Social Care

Background• Stimulating the ear to treat illness is recommended in

ancient Chinese medical texts dating back over 2,000 years1

• More recently, auricular (ear) acupuncture began to be effectively used in China to treat opium withdrawal symptoms2

• Ear acupuncture was subsequently used as an effective treatment for alcoholism3

• Ear acupuncture is now used throughout the world as a cost-effective method to treat problems arising from drug and alcohol use4

• Indeed, ear acupuncture is used extensively in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, hospitals and prisons in Europe and the USA4,5

Ear Acupuncture Intended Effects

• Qi meridians (energy pathways), as described in Chinese medicine, congregate in, or have connections to the ear

• Ear acupuncture stimulates the movement of vital Qi energy through meridians and facilitates the state of balance and harmony that the human form naturally desires

Ear Acupuncture Intended Effects

• Interruption and re-routing of neural messages

• Stimulation of endorphin release• Facilitation of detoxification from drugs

and alcohol• Alleviation of withdrawal symptoms• Reduction of cravings

Ear Acupuncture Intended Effects

• Restoration of equilibrium• Restoration of energy and vitality• Relief of restlessness• Reduction of hypersensitivity• Reduction of anxiety• Relief of pain• Promotion of sleep• Promotion of physical and psychological

wellbeing

Ear Acupuncture Intended Effects

• While ear acupuncture is widely used as a cost-effective treatment for drug and alcohol problems, it has wider applications, for example, it has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety prior to dental surgery6

Some Common Treatment Points• Sympathetic - corrects imbalances in the nervous

system, provides analgesia and reduces intestinal contractions

• Shen Men - induces a calming effect, alleviates insomnia, restlessness and general hypersensitivity

• Kidney - aids digestion and metabolism• Liver – regulates blood circulation, improves

metabolism, digestion and stomach function and provides analgesia

• Lung - regulates breathing, temperature and circulation, treats bowel disorders such as diarrhoea. Alleviates night sweats

Treatment Points on the Ear

Lung

Kidney

Liver

Sympathetic

Shen Men

Future Implications • There is a stated need for more long-term research, such

as randomised, controlled trials using large sample sizes4

• However, as with many aspects of health care, it is not always possible to reduce findings and outcomes to data for statistical testing and this is the case with some aspects of ear acupuncture

• Furthermore, in line with recent UK Government policy, the effectiveness and value of health care treatment should be measured not only by clinical outcomes but also by service-user reported outcomes

• Therefore, research to assess the satisfaction of recipients of ear acupuncture and research of a qualitative nature into their broader experiences now also needs to be undertaken

References1. Chen, P (2004) Modern Chinese Ear Acupuncture. Paradigm

Publications. USA2. Wen, H & Cheung, S (1973) How acupuncture can help addicts.

Drugs and Society (2): 18–20. 3. Bullock, ML, Culliton PD, Olander RT (1989) Controlled trial of

acupuncture for severe recidivist alcoholism. The Lancet (24):1435-1439.

4. Wager, K & Cox, S (2009) Auricular Acupuncture and Addiction. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.

5. Mitchell, ER. (1995) Fighting drug abuse with acupuncture-the treatment that works. Pacific View Press, California, USA.

6. Karst M, Winterhalter M, Munte S, Francki B, Hondronikos A, Eckardt A, Hoy L, Buhck H, Bernateck M, Fink M (2007) Auricular acupuncture for dental anxiety: a randomized controlled trial. Anesthesia and Analgesia.104 (2): 295-300.