The 8th International Auriculotherapy Symposium: From Nogier to Nogier and So Much More

Abstract

Astonishing is the best way to describe the 8th International Auriculotherapy Symposium being held from May 8–10, 2014, on The Johns Hopkins University campus, in Rockville, MD. For the first time in the symposium’s history, the very best of the international auriculotherapy experts are coming to America. Why is this symposium held in such high esteem? The previous symposiums were organized by the prestigious French Lyon Group of Medical Studies (GLEM), Lyon, France. Paul Nogier (1908–1996) created this group. Paul Nogier is well-respected for his development of French auriculotherapy and auriculomedicine. His son, Raphael Nogier, continues to promote the knowledge that his late father contributed to auriculotherapy. All of us who study acupuncture know and respect the impact of Paul Nogier. The French have a long tradition of fostering this discipline. Like a huge magnet, the GLEM attracts the top worldwide clinicians and researchers. Two Special Issues of Medical Acupuncture appear just in time for the symposium. I am sure that these ‘‘supercharged’’ Special Issues will be wellappreciated by our readership. This first Special Issue (for April) presents a full range of articles by international auriculotherapy experts: Raphael Nogier delineates the challenges the late Paul Nogier faced in establishing the map of the ear. Pierre Rabischong and Claudie Terral discuss the state of the art of auriculotherapy. Marco Romili and colleagues deal with persistent postoperative pain, which can occur when total knee replacement procedures are performed; this pain is a very common clinical challenge. Terry Oleson examines standardized ear acupuncture nomenclature with a system he devised using three-dimensional landmarks. Gary Stanton and Claire-Marie Rangon discuss the well-known auriculotherapy program at the University of Paris XI and XIII, and Lorna Kwai-Ping Suen and Chao Hsing Yeh present a study on auricular diagnosis in patients with chronic illnesses. Frank R. Bahr provides a report describing the use of ‘‘High Energy’’ points on a body meridian, which may also be found on the ear. These points may have clinical interest with respect to patients with cancer pending further investigation. The second Special Issue (for June, but, as noted, available at the symposium) will provide eight more vital contributions to the field. I have the honor to be designated the Chairperson/ Organizer of this symposium by the GLEM. It is my wish that these Special Issues will reflect the excitement of this outstanding symposium—and that these issues will prove to be a most valuable resource of the finest clinical presentations and workshops on auriculotherapy in the world. With these goals in mind, Medical Acupuncture has carefully selected some of the best articles derived from the symposium. Share with us the excitement as you read the articles in the Special Issues. For those of you who could not attend the Symposium, we share the best contributions to the Symposium in Medical Acupuncture. I wish to thank my editorial staff who helped make those Special Issues possible: Many thanks to Yael Benporat, Anne Hendren, and Billie M. Spaight. Last but not least, I wish to thank Terry Oleson for his advice and recommendations to formulate this Symposium and the generous gift of his time.