ABSTRACT
Objectives • Recognize the most common modalities used in auricular medicine
and how to dierentiate their clinical appropriateness • Determine which side of the ear to treat • Estimate the expected therapeutic results of treatment • Discover how to give an ear massage • Prepare to purchase proper ear modalities
Introduction Auricular acupuncture may be chosen either as a primary treatment method or as a complementary adjunct therapy to address a patient’s illness. Whether for the management of an acute emergency, for treatment of initial symptoms or chronic problems, or for preventative treatment, there is a wide range of modalities that an acupuncturist can use. Although some of these modalities are similar in nature and are interchangeable, such as seeds, tacks, and pellets, each has some unique feature. As a practitioner, you have the option of selecting a modality from a number of criteria, including those that have the highest degree of clinical ecacy for the condition to be treated, those that best meet the lifestyle and compliance level of the patient, and those that satisfy your comfort level or preference as a practitioner. Ear modalities include:
• Palpation and massage • Needles • Ear seeds and herbal plasters • Pellets • Tacks • Intradermal needles • Magnets • Electroacupuncture • Bleeding • Moxibustion • Incisions/sutures
• Injections • Lasers • Staples • Plum blossom needling • Semi-permanent needles • Titanium needles • Earrings • Disposable electro stim • Ear pen
Certain ear points and particular ear acupuncture modalities are clinically correlated with specic medical conditions. Where relevant, such conditions are discussed in relation to the modalities to illustrate the most precise use of those points and treatment options. Ear research discloses the modality used-most frequently seeds, electro stim, and needles, and more recently magnets.
