What Do Your Ears Tell Us?
Auricular acupuncture views the ear as a microsystem — a small map used to support whole-body patterns. Many people seek it for stress regulation and pain support as part of a larger plan.
Educational content only. No diagnosis is provided and no results are guaranteed. Sessions are provided by a fully trained and licensed practitioner.
Why the ear?
In auricular systems, specific points on the ear are selected to support nervous-system regulation, comfort, and whole-person balance. Point selection is individualized — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
- Stress, overwhelm, and feeling “wired”
- Support for sleep and settling the mind
- Pain support as part of a broader plan
- Cravings / habit-change support (including stop smoking as an adjunct)
- Needles: sterile, single-use, very small needles at selected ear points
- Needle-free option: gentle point stimulation using a specialized device (and/or ear seeds when appropriate)
We use “support” language on purpose. Responses vary, and we avoid medical promises.
Protocols & real-world use
Auricular acupuncture has been adapted into well-known protocols used in behavioral health, pain support, and community settings. Evidence varies by condition and study design.
NADA / “Acudetox” (behavioral health support)
The NADA 5-point ear protocol has roots in work associated with Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx and is used as an adjunct approach in recovery and behavioral health settings.
Battlefield Acupuncture (pain support)
Battlefield Acupuncture is an auricular approach developed for practical pain support in military and clinical environments. We use it ethically as one tool within a broader care plan.
Auricular acupuncture has also been used in disaster-response environments where calming, nonverbal, group-based support was needed.
Stop smoking support (honest note)
Some people use ear-based approaches to support cravings and coping. However, high-quality reviews do not show consistent evidence of sustained long-term smoking cessation when used alone. We treat this as an adjunct support, paired with a plan.
References
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PubMed Central: auricular acupuncture in preoperative anxiety context.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7768405/ -
PubMed Central: implementation/overview referencing Battlefield Acupuncture use.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7497594/ -
PubMed: auricular acupuncture trial for acute pain in a military ER context.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17076456/ -
Overview of NADA protocol in behavioral health.
dovepress.com (NADA overview) -
Acupuncturists Without Borders: about/mission (includes disaster-response background).
acuwithoutborders.org/pages/about-awb -
Cochrane Review: acupuncture-related interventions for smoking cessation (long-term outcomes).
cochranelibrary.com (smoking cessation)
Educational content only; not medical advice. If you have urgent or severe symptoms, seek medical care.