Auriculotherapy and Acupuncture in Space Sickness

Abstract

I would like to tell readers about my recent experience of auriculotherapy. After taking off from Merignac, the plane flew in parabolic arcs (figure 1), executing 31 of these in the space of 3 h at an altitude of 10 km. A parabolic flight includes three phases: Figure 1 The different phases of a parabolic flight (downloaded from http://www.eurospacecenter.be). Finally, the plane follows a normal trajectory for 2 min, a period of time that is necessary for piloting reasons and to allow the passengers to recover. After this, the plane begins the next parabolic arc (figure 1). Three fighter pilots take turns piloting, as it is physically too difficult for a single pilot to carry out the entire parabolic flight on his own. Space sickness is extremely violent, and I had never experienced anything like it before. It is in no way comparable to sea or motion sickness. One enters a ‘state of shock’ with a drop in arterial pressure, motionlessness, a pale grey face and sudden uncontrollable vomiting. Those not affected ‘fly’ to the rescue of …