Auricular (ear) acupuncture is a system of acupuncture that uses the stimulation of points on the ear to promote health and wellness. The ear is a microsystem of the body, which means that it represents the greater body as a whole. As you can see in the image above, each body part or area has a corresponding location on the ear. As each point is stimulated with an acupuncture needle, the qi of that organ or area can be affected. Sometimes we use magnets, seeds, or tacks instead of needles--these are wonderful in that they can stay on for several days, allowing the results to last longer.
Auricular acupuncture is terrific in treating aches and pains, stress, anxiety, and can help break addictions. It is also extremely helpful for sleep disturbances, gynecological concerns, fertility, and weight loss. Often I use auricular points along with a full body treatment, but they certainly can be a stand-alone treatment. Auricular acupuncture is quite effective--you should discuss it with your acupuncturist!