I have to start by letting you know we had an absolutely fabulous 2-day training seminar over the weekend here at our corporate offices. The topic was basic and advanced meridian graphing and I 
presented lots of great new information we’ve never shared before. Thanks to everyone who attended!
Meanwhile, while I was busy teaching, many of you were busy responding to my last blog post about Auriculotherapy. Thanks for all the great feedback! Combined with the results of the original survey, we’ve really gathered quite a lot of good information about Auriculotherapy use among acupuncture practitioners.
Survey responders basically break down into those who use Auriculotherapy continually and love it, those who don’t really use it at all, and then the large middle group of practitioners who like what Auriculotherapy offers, but who don’t use it as much as they would like. They usually cite one of the three following reasons for not using Auriculotherapy more. (Note that none of the reasons have to do with the effectiveness of the technique. In fact, every respondent but one agreed that Auriculotherapy works well.)
1. “I need better information.”
These practitioners want to use more Auricular treatments, but don’t have the information they need to feel confident in the technique.
As an acupuncturist, I would love to add more auricular points to my treatment. However, determining the best ones to add and then finding them are my stumbling blocks.
I just know the NADA protocol, but would like to know more protocols….I want to learn protocols for all.
2. “I don’t have time.”
These responders like the positive aspects of Auricular treatment, but feel it takes too much time.
I used to use it on almost 90% and stopped because of the time involved.
Works great, time is a factor.
3. “I don’t know how to get paid for it.”
These are the practitioners who haven’t found a way to make Auriculotherapy profitable enough to justify more extensive use.
For me, whether or not I use auriculotherapy, it would not bring in any MORE income, just an increase of effectiveness.
I don’t see how using auricular therapy would have a direct effect on one’s income…
Having done quite a bit of Auriculotherapy myself, I know exactly where all 3 groups are coming from. And I’ll tell you, these are not necessarily easy problems to overcome. But there ARE solutions. Believe it or not, Auriculotherapy can be fast, convenient, profitable and actually quite pleasurable.
I’ll tell you how in my next post.
It might be a good idea to provide for a decent translation in Dutch of this site. Concerning professionals, practices,trainingopportunities and seminaries on oriental medicine and auriculo medicine the Netherlands and the Flemisch part of Belgium is rated in the top 10 of the world, so…!
Yours sincerely
François Adriaens
I fail to see how auricular takes more time than electro or moxibustion, am I missing something? Out ultimate goal is to achieve results. Best results improves practitioner reputation for efficacy and attracts more patients. We all need to earn, but we must keep in mind that acupuncture works and it is out bread and butter. the better it works the more attention it will receive. The more we integrate affective processes the more we learn about our craft.
l’ll come to Lonon next month and l’ll stay there 3 weeks.
its nice to meet you.
l’ll attend British acccupuncture council seminar.
my clinic in Cairo,Egypt
Ummmm, when are you going to post the follow-up to this auriculotherapy thread? I was waiting, figured I missed it, checked the blog, and you seem to have totally switched gears. I am looking forward to learning how to use it more effectively.
Ah…nice to know you were following along.
The auriculotherapy thread has grown well beyond what we initially envisioned and has taken on a life all its own. I’ll be posting more on the topic very soon. Lots going on behind the scenes.