Auricular (ear) acupuncture is when the stimulation is achieved by the insertion of acupuncture needles, whereas auriculotherapy refers to electrical stimulation on the surface of the ear reflex points. The therapy choice (needles or electro) is decided by the client once they have been explained by the practitioner in the first session. Seeds, magnets, ear pellets and semi permanant needles called ASP's can be applied on ear acupuncture points after a treatment which provide additional stimulation in between treatments.

Depending on what is being treated frequency is usually once or twice a week for 4-6 treatments then faded out to fortnightly and monthly or until the condition is less pronounced. The first treatment can take up to 1.5 hours and includes consultation and medical history recording. The following sessions should take up to 30 minutes for electrotherapy and up to 60 minutes for acupuncture.

The range of responses is of course, varied. It is common that a patient suffering from severe pain will notice mild to marked reduction of pain after or even during the first session. This reduction in their pain experience can actually improve for the next several hours to weeks after treatment.  Like any treatment, its effectiveness depends on the severity and/or duration of the condition treated, extent of damage, etc. It’s important to understand that the goal of auricular therapy is to detect energy imbalances in your body… and “jumpstart” normal function.