Disclaimer: This blog post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general information purposes only. If you have medical questions or concerns about stress and anxiety, you should always seek guidance from a licensed practitioner who understands your personal medical history.
Dealing with Stress or Anxiety? You’re Not Alone.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. It affects about 18% of the adult population—more than 40 million adults. Additionally, it affects about 25% of teenagers. Unfortunately, the majority of anxiety sufferers are not receiving treatment. Tack on the number of Americans who deal with overwhelming stress on a daily basis, (probably close to 100%) and we’ve got a major problem on our hands.
However, there is some good news. There is growing evidence that Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) techniques, including acupuncture, may be very helpful in managing stress and anxiety. Ear acupuncture is a specialized form of acupuncture that can be performed at home, without needles. It also shows great promise as a co-treatment for anxiety.
What is Ear Acupuncture?
Ear acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine that works with the body’s own healing systems. It’s safe, effective, and free of harmful side effects. During ear acupuncture treatment, acupuncture points on the ear are stimulated with pressure, microcurrent, or light. Best of all, it’s something you can do safely for yourself. And right from the comfort of your home!
Below, you can read 4 compelling reasons why you should try ear acupuncture for anxiety!
1. Ear Acupuncture Promotes Relaxation
A 2001 study indicates that ear acupuncture may help with anxiety by promoting a sense of relaxation. Conventional acupuncture has been well-studied for this affect. This study provides evidence that ear acupuncture may be similarly effective.
One of ear acupuncture’s most popular uses is for preventing and dealing with anxiety and stress. Daily ear seeds may prevent anxiety and panic attacks by providing constant pressure to ear acupuncture points known to mitigate anxiety symptoms.
2. Ear Acupuncture has been shown to decrease anxiety, stress, AND depression.
In various studies, ear acupuncture decreased anxiety, stress and depression simultaneously. Many people who suffer from anxiety also deal with depression and excess stress. Ear acupuncture may decrease the occurrence and severity of all these issues, leading to a greater quality of life over time. Count me in!
And, in other good news, ear acupuncture doesn’t come along with a laundry list of side-effects, unlike many other treatments for mental illness. Documented side effects of ear acupuncture are all positive—better mood, increased sense of well-being, better sleep, and better digestion are just a few!
3. Ear Acupuncture stimulates endorphin release.
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers, or “feel good chemicals.” The body releases them in response to both positive and negative experiences. These chemicals can increase the pleasure of a moment, or mute the pain. Natural endorphins are mood-boosting, pain-relieving, regulating hormones that help us cope with difficult and painful situations.
Numerous studies have shown ear acupuncture to promote the release of endorphins in the brain. Unlike a drug, endorphins are natural chemicals, and they are non-addictive and free of side-effects. Natural means of encouraging endorphin release may help decrease immediate pain, and may even lead to increased quality of life, healthier mood, and better mental health overall.
4. Ear Acupuncture may lead to an overall sense of calm and connectedness.
There are dozens of ear acupuncture points traditionally used by acupuncturists for thousands of years to promote a sense of grounded tranquility and calm. Ear acupuncture may promote nervous system balance, encourage activity of our “resting and digesting” state, and decrease the constant “fight or flight” response.
Because ear acupuncture doesn’t require needles, is it a gentle option for anxiety sufferers who many feel uncomfortable with needles. It’s also great for kids. You can stimulate ear acupuncture points for days on end by applying pressure to ear seeds, which may extend the benefits of treatment and encourage relaxation, peace, and a sense of calm for days on end.
Over time, the neurotransmitters produced in the brain in response to ear acupuncture may help bring balance to an anxious brain, leading to fewer anxiety symptoms in the longterm.
How Do I Treat?
Okay, now that you know that ear acupuncture may be a powerful option for migraine treatment, you’re probably starting to wonder… which points do I treat? How do I treat them? And with what?
You’re on the right track! There are a few vital components to effective, accurate ear acupuncture.
1. A Good Reference Guide
The first thing you’ll need in order to treat the ear is a really good reference guide. Something that will show you WHAT points to treat, and WHERE the points are in an understandable, accurate picture. The only problem is, there are acupuncture points in all the nooks and crannies, including on the back of your ear. It would be pretty hard to see them all in a 2D image.
That’s why the best reference tool in the business is Auriculo 360. Check out the GIF below – as you can see, Auriculo 360 gives you a fully 3-dimensional ear that you can rotate, spin, turn and drag. You can also zoom in, toggle between left and right ears, and overlay the Nogier frequency zones (well-studied frequencies for different areas of the ear).
Finally, Auriculo 360 is complete with over a hundred pre-made protocols for common ailments, along with a database of hundreds of individual points. Protocols can be modified as needed to fit your treatment style! It’s an absolute no-brainer for anyone interested in learning and using auriculotherapy.
The best part is, Auriculo 360 was designed to be incredibly affordable, coming in at only $99/year for an individual plan (good for use on up to 3 devices). That’s less than $9/month! Check out Auriculo 360 Here>>>
2. A Way to Locate Points Accurately
Naturally, a reliable way to locate points comes next! There are many methods for point location that range from manual probes, to powerful devices that locate acupuncture points electrically.
These location tools range in price from ~$6 to ~$600, so it’s important to do your research and figure out which one will fit your needs.
You can learn about the many different ways to locate points at this website: www.auriculotherapytools.com.
***Important Disclaimer: If you are not a licensed practitioner, you should not use a microcurrent device on anyone other than yourself.
3. A Powerful Treatment Tool
Finally, you’ll need a tool to treat! In some instances, this tool may be the same tool you use to locate the point. Treatment can range from attaching tiny beads to the ear and pressing on the beads throughout the day, to using a tiny electrical microcurrent to stimulate the point at a healing frequency.
There are countless ways to treat, which is great news! Whether you’re a novice, a hobbyist or a licensed practitioner, there is a powerful tool for you at www.auriculotherapytools.com.
***Important Disclaimer: If you are not a licensed practitioner, you should not use a microcurrent device on anyone other than yourself.
A Few ‘Points’ of Interest
1. Anxious Point
This point is specific for emotional and mental disturbances, including anxiety, stress, depression and feelings of nervousness. As the name suggests, it has been traditionally used to decrease symptoms of anxiety and stress, and to boost mood.
2. Tranquilizer Point
Anxious point is used for general sedation of the nervous system and overall relaxation. It may help with chronic stress and promote a sense of wellbeing and calm. This would be a fantastic point to stimulate throughout the day, or whenever feelings of anxiety arise.
3. Vagus Nerve
This point is used by acupuncturists to address the Vagus Nerve, which is essentially the communication highway running from the brain to the body.
Traditionally, this point is understood to help regulate heart rate and metabolism, turn off the stress response, mitigate anxiety, fear, worry, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, irritability and trouble focusing. It may also promote deep, restful sleep and improve overall wellbeing.
Full Protocol in Auriculo 360
For the sake of brevity, we’ll only share 3 points here. But there are hundreds more points and protocols waiting in the Auriculo 360 software!
We hope these three tiny points will make a difference in your journey.
Ear Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help the body heal and thrive, naturally. For non-life-threatening conditions and wellness care, it can be a powerful holistic addition to your at-home wellness routine, or a great adjunct treatment to add to your professional practice!
To learn more about ear acupuncture, check out this blog post.
Or, learn more about Auriculo 360 here.
Finally, check out a variety of treatment tools for every budget, here.
Thanks For Reading!
-Dr. Adrian Larsen
References
https://adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/complementary-alternative-treatment
https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
