What Is Auriculotherapy?
Auriculotherapy is based on the idea that your ear is a microsystem of the entire body — a concept rooted in both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern neuroscience.
Think of it like this: different points on your ear correspond to different parts of your body and nervous system. By stimulating these points with tiny needles, ear seeds, or gentle electrical impulses, we can send signals to the brain and body to promote balance, relaxation, and healing.
How Does Auriculotherapy Work?
Your ear is like a mini-map of your entire body.
In both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern auriculotherapy, specific points on the ear are believed to correspond to various organs, systems, and emotional states. By stimulating these points, we can influence how your body and nervous system function.
The Ear-Brain Connection
Your ear is richly connected to the vagus nerve and other cranial nerves. These nerves link directly to your brain and regulate key functions like mood, stress response, digestion, heart rate, and more. When we stimulate ear points, we send signals through these neural pathways — helping reset imbalances and promote a state of calm and healing.
The Microsystem of the Body
Imagine a map of your whole body projected onto your ear.
The ear lobe corresponds to the head and brain
The outer ear reflects the spine and back
The deeper ear points influence internal organs and emotions
The Healing Response
Stimulating these ear points sends messages to your brain and nervous system. This can:
Calm the fight-or-flight stress response
Regulate sleep cycles
Reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Ease pain and inflammation
Support emotional balance
Many clients feel relaxed and clear-headed after a session — and effects often build with regular treatment.
How Points Are Stimulated
Acupuncture needles: Very fine, shallow needles stimulate precise points
Ear seeds: Tiny seeds or beads are taped to points, providing ongoing stimulation you can press at home
Electro-stimulation: Gentle electrical pulses activate points without needles
What Can Auriculotherapy Help With?
Trauma & Emotional Healing
Trauma can leave the nervous system stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Auriculotherapy helps calm this response, making it a powerful complementary therapy for PTSD, anxiety, and emotional recovery.
Sleep Issues
Trouble falling asleep? Restless nights? Targeted ear points can help regulate your body's sleep-wake cycles, improve sleep quality, and calm a racing mind.
Stress & Anxiety
In today’s fast-paced world, stress takes a toll on body and mind. Auriculotherapy promotes relaxation, reduces tension, and helps you feel more grounded.
Smoking Cessation
Breaking free from nicotine isn’t easy — but auriculotherapy can make it easier. It helps reduce cravings, soothe irritability, and support your commitment to quit.
Addiction Recovery
Auriculotherapy is used in many addiction recovery programs to help manage alcohol dependence and other addictive behaviors. It can support detox, ease withdrawal symptoms, and promote emotional stability.
How to Stimulate Your Ear Seeds
Gently press on each seed for 15–30 seconds
Do this 2–3 times per day, or whenever you notice symptoms
Apply steady but comfortable pressure — it should feel stimulating, not painful
How Long to Keep Ear Seeds On
You can keep your ear seeds on for 3 to 5 days
After 5 days, remove them to let your skin rest
If any seed falls off before then, that’s okay — just continue stimulating the remaining ones
You can shower and sleep with them on, but avoid submerging your ears for long periods (hot baths, swimming)
When to Remove Them Sooner
If you feel discomfort, redness, or irritation around the seed
If there is any itching or skin reaction
If a seed feels painful when you press on it