Auriculotherapy (Electric ear acupuncture)

Although closely related to traditional Eastern approaches, Auriculotherapy is different to traditional Chinese ear acupuncture in two key ways. Firstly, treatment of indicated points is done with a small electric current, rather than the traditional needles/pins used in acupuncture. Unlike conventional acupuncture the therapist can also scan with a specialist instrument (Stimplus) to see which points are most active, improving diagnostic & treatment effectiveness. Secondly, although the Yang meridians enter the ear, it is actually the cranial nerves which are directly targeted & treated using the European (Auriculotherapy) approach.

 

Auriculotherapy is recognised by the World Health Organisation as effective in treating over 300 conditions. Auriculotherapy has a 95% success rate in helping individuals stop smoking, in just 3 treatments (1-2 follow up appointments available if required). Auriculotherapy is not a replacement for counselling/psychotherapy, medication or appropriate medical care which is often indicated in many of the conditions listed below.

Auriculotherapy may be especially helpful in treating:

-Addictions* (smoking, drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex) and substance withdrawal
-Stopping smoking
-Compulsive disorders (including OCD, ADHD)
-Acute & chronic pain (including acute back pain/sciatica, visceral pain and acute injury pain)
-Overeating (for weight-loss & appetite control)
-Low mood & anxiety

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*Although auriculotherapy can be very helpful in helping individuals recover from substance addiction, and can reduce withdrawal symptoms, it is not a magic ‘cure all’ for addictions! Addictions are a complex multi-faceted problem which also require counselling, appropriate medical care, group support (eg. AA, SMART recovery), drug/alcohol service involvement and nutritional advice. Auriculotherapy helps to reduce cravings and keep brain chemistry balanced while your body adapts to living without the addictive substance/behavior; the emotional/habitual/lifestyle factors must also be dealt with. It is also important to note the addictive neural pathways will remain with you post treatment, so if you start using your drug of choice again you will likely become re-addicted. Withdrawal from alcohol and/or benzodiazepines (if severely/physically addicted) can also be very dangerous due to the risk of seizures. You may need to be medically detoxed in this case, before or during treatment.