Auriculotherapy is an acupuncture technique in which the therapist stimulates points located in the pinna of the ear in order to resolve the patient’s problem. In this article, you will find out more precisely what auriculotherapy is, what it consists of, its benefits, how a typical session takes place and what are the contraindications.

Auriculotherapy uses the reflex zones of the pinna to detect and correct imbalances. This technique is part of the microsystems of theacupuncture and acupressure.

The pavilionhear is a dashboard of the human body. Indeed, there is at the level of the ear a projection of points corresponding to different areas of the body. This mapping, also called “atrial somatotopy” is well known today.

It is very old and was rediscovered and developed in 1951 by the Lyon doctor: Paul François Marie NOGIER who brought to light a cartography of the auricular pavilion representing the fetus. In 1987, Auriculotherapy is a practice officially recognized by the WHO and in 1990, a working group convened by the WHO standardized the nomenclature of 43 auricular points. Since then, this technique has been taught in many faculties.

In order to explain the theory of the auricular point, the path of neurophysiology was chosen since the auricular pinna is closely linked to the brain, which manages the organs of the body. The auricular pinna is a reflex site which has a very rich innervation, which makes it particularly important.

The auricular point takes reflex pathways through the cerebrospinal nervous system and the vegetative nervous system. The atrial mapping can be explained by the topical organization of the spinothalamic system which extends into the reticulate formation. The point of Auriculotherapy is not only an organic micro-structure, but also a cerebrospinal and neurovegetative innervation which explains that, even at a distance, its stimulation causes effects. The point reflects functional or organic suffering.

The concept of the ear reflex zone is an extension of the energy points of auriculotherapy; it postulates the existence of correspondences between the ears and the organs, the limbs and the bones, and expresses more precisely the relations of projection between the body and the ear.

Auriculotherapy consists of detecting the alarm point responsible for the pain in the area in question. The nervous system conveys the disharmony information to the ear, the auricular pinna serving here as a receiver.

The correction consists in acting on the painful point. It is carried out by the nervous systems thanks to the transmission of stimulations by reflex routes, the auricular pinna having a role of transmitter here.

Auriculotherapy also makes it possible to re-harmonize the body as a whole, in particular by using tests of palpation of the reflexological zones. These tests can be carried out using appropriate massages on the reflex zones, the placement of acupuncture needles or the laser.

Auriculotherapy is an excellent technique that can be used alone or in addition to other health techniques. It has many benefits, it allows in particular:

• To reduce the pain of the whole body : Auriculotherapy is particularly indicated to treat pain of the whole body such as osteoarthritis, lumbago, neuralgia, sciatica, neck pain, migraines as well as pain in the shoulders and knees. This practice results in the release of endorphins, which are hormones that can increase resistance to pain.
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve the symptoms of constipation
• Reduce sleep disorders : Auriculotherapy can increase the duration of sleep and improve its quality.
• It is also suitable for transient depressions et addictions (tobacco, alcohol, etc.).

The subject is lying on a table and the practitioner is seated or standing behind him. He looks for painful areas by palpating both ears of the individual. When the painful area is in light, the practitioner will act on the areas in question by means of massages, needles or laser, in order to rebalance the terrain.

Auriculotherapy is not recommended for pregnant women.

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