Ear Points Research Articles

Color Atlas of Acupuncture Body Points, Ear Points, Trigger Points

A flexi textbook that contains information on the most important acupoints on the body and Stuttgart ear, as well as the principal trigger points. The text is augmented by 126 illustrations pertaining to body acupuncture, 48 illustrations on ear acupuncture, and 114 illustrations on trigger points. The localization, needling depth, indications and functions of each point are described as understood in Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The description of each point includes; exact location; depth of needling; indication; function in TCM; While the terminology of the points follows Chinese standards for acupuncture, the body parts are named following up-to-date anatomical nomenclature. Auricular acupuncture points are described both after Nogier and TCM, while the description of trigger points also mentions the respective muscle and pain projection zones. All coverage is easy to follow if familiar with medical terminology. Illustrations include color photographs and clear four-color drawings.

THE EFFECT OF AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE ON PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES OF COCAINE CRAVING

This study used a randomized pretest/posttest control group design to test the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture interventions in diminishing psychological and physiological changes associated with cocaine craving in 30 treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent patients. The experimental group received the real auricular acupuncture intervention, insertion of needles into ear point locations specifically targeted for drug withdrawal. The control group received sham or placebo auricular acupuncture, insertion of needles into ear point locations not targeted for any specific therapeutic benefit. Psychological (Cocaine Craving Questionnaire - Now) and physiological (skin conductance activity) changes associated with cocaine craving were measured. Results showed no differences between the control and the experimental group in diminishing psychological and physiological measures associated with craving. There were differences from pre- to posttest on measures of psychological but not physiological craving for the combined experimental and control groups.

Increase of pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy by acupuncture.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing two groups with/without acupuncture treatment shortly before and after embryo transfer. Design: prospective randomized study. Materials/Methods: 138 patients undergoing ART (ICSI, IVF) in our fertility centre were included in this study. Only patients with good embryo quality were admitted. They were divided into two groups by random numbers. Acupuncture was performed in 69 patients 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. Before embryo transfer we used the following locations: Cx 6 (Neiguan), Sp8 (Diji), Liv3 (Taichong), Gv20 (Baihui), S29 (Guilai). After embryo transfer the sterile disposable stainless steel needles (0.25 × 25 mm) were inserted at the following points: S36 (Zusanli), Sp6 (Sanyinjiao), Sp10 (Xuehai), Li4 (Hegu). After 10 min the needles were rotated in order to maintain Deqi sensation. Additionally we used small stainless needles (0.2 × 13 mm) for auricular acupuncture at the following points without rotation: ear point 55 (shenmen), ear point 58 (zhigong), ear point 22 (Neifenmi), ear point 34 (Naodian). In the control group (n = 69) embryos were transferred without any supportive therapy. Covariate variables like age, number of previous cycles, number of transferred embryos, endometrial thickness, plasma estradiol, method of treatment, blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries or clinical indications for ART didn’t differ between both groups. The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancy defined by the presence of a fetal sac at ultrasound examination 6 weeks after embryo transfer. The Chi-square test was used for comparison of both groups. Results: Clinical pregnancies were documented in 30 of 69 patients (43.5%) after embryo transfer supported by acupuncture, whereas the pregnancy rate only reached 26.1% (18 out of 69 patients) after embryo transfer without acupuncture (Chi-square test: p = 0.03). Conclusions: Acupuncture seems to be a powerful tool to improve pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART). Supported By: Christian-Lauritzen-Institut.

Growth restriction of cranial sutures in the fetal lamb causes deformational changes, not craniosynostosis.

Newborns with in utero cranial vault molding can present with severe forms of plagiocephaly. Intrauterine constraint has been proposed as one cause for craniosynostosis. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether rigid plate fixation across a fetal cranial suture, representing a severe form of growth restriction in utero, would lead to cranial suture fusion in a fetal lamb model. Six fetal lambs at 85 to 95 days gestation (term = 145 days) underwent laparotomy, hysterotomy, fetal coronal scalp incision, and miniplate screw fixation across the right coronal suture in utero. Two unoperated twins and four unoperated age-matched lambs were used as controls (n = 12). Animals were killed at both 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. Fetal head analysis consisted of gross examination, photography, basilar and lateral radiographs, and three-dimensional computed tomographic scans. Cranial suture analysis consisted of imaging by computed tomographic scan (axial and sagittal cuts) and histology of experimentally plated coronal sutures, contralateral nonplated coronal sutures and twin control coronal sutures. Gross examination, radiographs, and three-dimensional computed tomographic analysis of heads with cranial suture plating showed ipsilateral forehead flattening, contralateral forehead bossing, superiorly displaced ipsilateral orbital rim, anterolateral projection of ipsilateral malar eminence, and anterior position of the ipsilateral ear point compared with the contralateral side of the same animal and normal controls. There was no change in nasal root, chin point, or predentition occlusal plane. Although analysis of the plated coronal sutures by computed tomographic scans showed diminished width or even stenosis, the histology revealed narrowed but patent experimental coronal sutures at 4 and 8 weeks. Contralateral, nonplated coronal sutures were not only patent, but widened compared with normal control sutures. This finding may have represented compensatory changes in the contralateral coronal suture caused by growth restriction at the plated suture. These data demonstrate that intrauterine growth restriction across a cranial suture caused by compression plate fixation resulted in deformational skull changes, not craniosynostosis. In addition, these data strongly support a role for in utero positional molding secondary to growth restriction in the maternal pelvis as a cause for nonsynostotic plagiocephaly seen in newborns.

Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss

Many overweight people are aware that diets can help with weight loss but have difficulty in suppressing their appetite. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points on appetite suppression.Sixty overweight subjects, randomly divided into an active and a control group, used the AcuSlim device twice daily for four weeks. The active group attached the AcuSlim to the acupuncture ear points shenmen and stomach, whereas the control group attached the device to their thumb where there are no acupuncture points. The goal of a 2 kg weight loss was set and changes in appetite and weight were reported after four weeks.Of those who responded, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. None of the control group lost the required 2 kg, with only 4 subjects losing any weight at all. Both the number of subjects who lost weight and the mean weight loss were significantly higher in the active group (p < 0.05).Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.

Auricular Diagnosis and Therapy for Alopecia: Patient Data Analysis

It has been reported that tenderness at a specific point on the ear indicates pathology at a corresponding area of the body. The author has used this relationship to investigate patients with alopecia and to provide a rapid indication for the cause of their hair loss. Where possible this diagnosis was confirmed by conventional investigation. It was found that out of 521 patients examined, almost every one had a different combination of tender ear points, but that different specific groups of ear points were found routinely in the majority of patients in each of three categories of alopecia. The author suggests that when auricular acupuncture is used to treat alopecia, points should be selected from the tender spots found, rather than from a standard list of recommended points.

Electroacupuncture and Exercise in Body Weight Reduction and their Application in Rehabilitating Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

The efficacy of ear electroacupuncture on appetite and weight control was investigated in 3 separate studies. Part I: The Stomach, Hunger, or placebo ear points were stimulated in three different groups. Stimulating the Stomach, or Hunger, points was significantly more effective in appetite control than stimulating the placebo points. Part II: Stimulation of 3 pairs of ear points (Stomach, Hunger, and Shen Men) was performed on 61 obese subjects for 8 weeks. Only 43 subjects engaged, in addition, in an exercise program. 79% of the subjects succeeded to follow a low calorie diet for 8 weeks with subsequent weight reduction. Active exercises significantly increased weight loss. Part III: 19 obese patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in electroacupuncture, diet, and exercise program and 89% of them lost 5-10 kg in 8 weeks.

The Clinical and Physiological Foundation of Auricular Acupuncture Therapy in Patients with Hypertensive Disease

The haemodynamic influence of each of 16 pairs of auricular acupuncture points was studied in 104 hypertensive patients who were classed according to circulation type. Changes in heart rate, stroke output and peripheral vascular resistance were measured, so that the degree of change could be charted for each acupuncture point. It became clear that certain groups of ear points induced a fall in blood pressure by influencing change in one or more of these cardiac parameters. The ear has a particularly rich nerve supply derived from several cranial and upper cervical nerves and it is possible to explain the hypotensive action of specific groups of acupuncture points by reference to their innervation. The most effective auricular acupuncture points for hypertensive patients of each circulation type can thus be accurately predicted.

Acupuncture for Resistant Temporo-Mandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

Four patients suffering from Temporo-Mandibular joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome, who had proved resistant to conventional, conservative therapy, were treated with a combination of manual body-acupuncture, electroacupuncture to points on the face and laser therapy to ear points. Three of the patients showed marked improvement during the initial four weeks of treatment. The fourth did not complete the treatment course but none the less had improved by the two month follow up. All patients showed sustained relief over a six month period of follow up. It is suggested that acupuncture should be included among the first line, conservative therapies for this problem.

THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE EAR POINTS ON THE PLASMA ACTH AND GH LEVEL IN HUMANS

The effect of electrical stimulation of the ear points on the plasma ACTH and GH level was investigated in healthy female subjects. Electrical stimulation by 20 pulses/sec for 20 min. induced an elevation of plasma GH; however, no changes were found in the plasma level of ACTH at 20 min. after the needle removal. The mechanism of action of electroacupuncture in inducing GH secretion may involve the brain endorphin, serotoninergic and catecholaminergic systems. The results obtained from the determination of ACTH suggest the conclusion that electroacupuncture did not induce stress and the increased level of GH may be due to specific effects of electrical stimulation on the neuroendocrine processes.

Analgesic Effects of Electroacupuncture in Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Treatment of Gallstone Disease

Thirty-four patients with gallstone disease were treated with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (E.S.W.L.). Analgesia was provided by means of electroacupuncture in ear and body acupuncture points. Electrostimulation was begun about 30 minutes before the start of shock-wave lithotripsy and continued until the end of treatment. The number of shock waves varied between 400 and 1200 per patient. The favourable results obtained with the above method may be compared with those obtained with classical epidural anaesthesia as well as with drug premedication with Droperidol, Fentanyl, and Diazepam. The good sedative and analgesic effect which was obtained by acupuncture widens its field of application.

Effects of Auricular Acupuncture-Like Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation on Pain Levels Following Wound Care in Patients with Burns: A Pilot Study

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that auricular acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation would significantly reduce the pain experienced by patients with burns immediately after wound debridement, other wound care, and dressing changes. Subjects were 11 inpatients at the University of Alabama Hospital Burn Unit. A two-period crossover design was used, and each patient received one experimental treatment consisting of bilateral acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to six ear points and one control treatment consisting of a placebo pill. The Visual Analogue Scale was used as a measure of pain and was completed immediately before and after treatments and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after treatment. A two-factor repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant effects of measurement time (p less than 0.001) and treatment by time (p = 0.002). Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences (p less than 0.05) between experimental and control conditions at all times after treatment but not at pretreatment baseline. These results indicate that auricular acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation may be an effective pain management technique in patients with burns.

Role of the Nervous System in the Appearance of Ear Acupuncture Points in the Dog

Still J.: Role of the Nervous System in the Appearance of the. Ear Acupuncture Points in the Dog. Acta vet. Brno, 55, 1986: 55-64. The aim of this work was to verify the participation of the nervous system in the origin and manifestation of active ear points on a model experimental situation. In six dogs (5 of the Beagle breed and 1 cross-bred, 3 males and 3 females) three experiments have been carried .out: 1. The fore paw was blocked by procaine and then strongly compressed. 2. Ganglion cervicothoracicum, sympathetically innervating the thoracic limb, head and ear auricle of the same site was blocked by procaine and then the corresponding paw was strongly compressed. 3. Non­ specific application of procaine (the dose being the same as in previous experiments) was carried out non-specifically into the subcutaneous part of the chest wall. Mter a certain time period, same as in previous experiments, the paw was strongly compressed. The paw compression, using an elastic bandage, lasted for 30 minutes, alternatively on both fore limbs. The electrical and algetic changes on both ear auricles were followed prior to, during and shortly after the compression. No painful points on ear auricles were observed in the first and second experiments, the decrease of skin impedance in the expected point corresponding with the fore paw being sporadically observed. This statistically highly significant difference (P < 0.01) when compared with the cited similar experiment without specificic effect of the local anesthetic corroborates the significant role of the nervous system, particularly of its sympathetic autonomic part, in the process of ear active points appearance. The third experiment was not found to have a significant influence on the incidence of projection points of the compressed paw. The influence of the local blockage of a certain part of the hypothetical reflex arc between the compressed paw and a certain ear auricle point upon the results of the two preceeding experi­ ments has thus been verified. The general pain threshold has not been significantly influenced by the applied dose of procaine. The results of the presented work were found to corroborate the hypothesis on nervous system participation in the process of the ear active point appearance. Dog, acupuncture, diagnosiS, procaine blockage, reflex are, autonomic nervous system.

Experimental Verification of Auriculodiagnosis in the Dog

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The effects of stimulation of ear acupuncture points on the body's pain threshold.

Six ear acupuncture points, one non-acupuncture ear point, and the body locus Ho-Ku (LI-4) were electrically stimulated in order to compare the effects of stimulation on the body's pain threshold at selected loci on various points on the body by measurement with a radiation heat-type Pain Meter on 5 subjects. The ear points, with the exception of the non-acupuncture ear point, were found to be effective even in peripheral body regions in varying degrees. Ear stimulation did not increase the threshold as rapidly as Ho-Ku. In all cases where the pain threshold was raised, the effect persisted after electrical stimulation had stopped.

Physiologo-biochemical bases of drug dependence treatment by electro-acupuncture

This paper presents a review of recent data about the use of acupuncture with electrical stimulation to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms in addicts and alcoholics. The positive effect of electro-acupuncture in drug dependence is caused by stimulation of ear points innervated by the vagus and by subsequent influence on the reverberant mechanisms prevail between the nuclei of thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The manifestation of vegetative reactions during the withdrawal state is due to imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and the acupuncture selectively stimulates one or the other and thus restore balance. This normalisation effect of acupuncture is caused by the neurotransmitters concentration changes in the strictly localized sites of the central nervous system and by the destruction of the pathological “narcomaniacal” dominant formed in the process of drug dependence development.

A Marital Therapy Manual

Am J Psychiatry 134:3, March 1977 337 bringing the knowledge of Chinese acupuncture up to date and consequently are justified in continuing to use the subtitle Current Chinese Practice. The book is written in a precise, thorough, and yet concise manner, using modern scientific language. When Chinese words are used the transliteration is accurate. The effective organization of the text remains intact for easy learning and quick reference. The book is divided into five main sections: 1) The Essentials of Acupuncture, 2) Most Commonly Used Acupuncture Points, 3) Less Commonly Used Acupuncture Points, 4) Diseases and Symptoms Amenable to Acupuncture Therapy, and 5) Acupuncture-Anesthesia. The new third section completes the listing (with meridian names) of all currently accepted acupuncture points and their usage. The fifth section has been substantially enlarged to reflect the most recent refinements in acupuncture-anesthesia. Furthermore, it contains a list of points (including ear and nose points) for virtually all surgical operations. The precise locations of all acupuncture points are described in scientific terms with ample anatomical illustrations. Each of the 62 diseases and symptoms listed is followed by the main and supplemental acupuncture points and whether maxibustion is indicated. The techniques of inserting the needle are accurately described. The legal developments concerning the teaching and practice of this treatment modality are succinctly summarized. Finally, there are two indexes-one listing the most commonly used acupuncture points and another listing diseases and symptoms. These provide an excellent cross-reference to the main text. As in the third section, the addition of the meridian numbers to the index of most commonly used acupuncture points constitutes a substantial improvement because those who are not familiar with the Chinese terminology may refer to these numbers to find details of the acupuncture points in the third, fourth, and fifth sections. This book brings to English-speaking physicians and scientists in the health professions an authentic, accurate, clean, and succinct summary of acupuncture therapy as practiced in the People’s Republic ofChina today. It is useful for keeping up with the essential and latest knowledge in acupunctune as well as for research and clinical practice. I believe it should be in the library of all medically related institutions, larger public libraries, and the personal libraries of those who are interested in this “subspecialty” of medicine.

Ear Acupuncture Therapy

Between 1949 and 1971, we lost communication with the scientific world of the Peoples' Republic of China. In this period, the field of medicine flourished as a merger of the existing traditional medicine and Western medicine, with a great deal of exciting experimentation documented in the major scientific centers of Nanking, Shanghai, and Peking. Acupuncture therapy, which includes the use of ear points, has yet to enjoy the credibility of organized medicine in America. As early as 1281, the Treasury of Health noted that the 5 viscera, 6 bowels, and 12 meridians joined in the ear. The ear and its relationship with the internal organs were mentioned in Illustrations of Miscellaneous Diseases , published in 1773 during the Ch'ing period. Nogier, a French physician, wrote of his discovery of the reflex zones in the ear in his early 1950 studies. One of the major works on ear acupuncture from the Peoples'

The treatment of headaches employing acupuncture.

Thirty-three patients have been treated by acupuncture since July 8, 1974, using body loci, ear points and electrical stimulation. Of the 33 cases, 18 were female and 15 were male, ranging in age from 25 to 77 years. Sixteen patients suffered from migraines, 12 from tension headaches, 2 from cluster headaches, 1 from vascular headaches, and for 2 patients the etiology was uncertain. The duration of the headaches ranged from 3 months to 40 years. The patients received from 3 to 16 treatments. Of the 33 cases, 5 patients had only 3 treatments and 10 patients had 5 or less treatments. Eighteen patients had good results, i.e., no headache at all. Twelve patients had fair results, that is they sometimes had headaches, but they could be controlled with a few repetitions of treatment or by analgesics at a lesser dosage than they were taking at the beginning of treatments. Three patients had no response at all or poor results; however, these discontinued treatment before the author could evaluate whether they were actual absolute no-response cases. Of the 33 patients, 2 patients had a good response after only 2 treatments; 4 had a good response after 10 treatments. However, most of the patients had a good response after 6-8 treatments. A course of treatment usually requires 10 to 14 visits befor definite evaluation of the results can be made. It was observed that patients with fair or particularly poor results usually discontinued treatment too early and/or had concomitant conditions as well. Even though a longer period of time for follow-up is necessary before drawing any conclusions, results have already shown that acupuncture, perhaps, can be a valuable form of treatment for headaches.

PARALYSIS OF THE FACIAL NERVE IN CONNECTION WITH DISEASES OF THE EAR.

[Read before the Section on Ophthalmology, Otology and Laryngology of the American Medical Association, June, 1883.] Diseases of the ear and their connection with general medicine is a subject of grave importance, and the general practitioner who neglects or omits their study will often fall into serious errors of diagnosis, and of necessity be unsuccessful in treatment. Acute and chronic disease of the middle ear will give rise to temporary or permanent facial paralysis, alteration in taste or smell, sight, and even gait. False epiliptiform convulsions, hemiplegia and insanity are also due to reflex phenomena, from irritation and compression of the sensory and motor nerves of the ear, or the result of necrosis of portions of the temporal bone. It is now a well recognized fact that pyaemic abscesses in the brain and some forms of rheumatic fever have their starting point in the middle ear. Paralysis of the parts