French System (after Dr. Nogier) – Often called Auriculotherapy
- In 1951 Dr. Nogier started studying the ear after he was visited by patients with cauterizations in the ear to relieve sciatic neuralgia.
- In 1956 Paul Nogier, MD of Lyon, France first reported on his personal experiences with reflex zones and points in the ear during an acupuncture conference in Marseille.
- Prior to 1956 the Chinese only used 3 points in the ear. After hearing of Dr. Nogier’s work, the Chinese did their own research. the Germans did the same thing.
4. Chinese correspondences more anatomical than functional
5. Three topographies in the French system corresponding to:
- Three embryonic layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm)
- Three main innervations (vagus, trigeminal and superior cervical plexus)
- Three phases of a disease process (acute, degenerative and inflammatory)
Chinese System of Ear Acupuncture
- Correspondences more functional than anatomical
- Only one basic topography – less sophisticated than French System
- Many similarities with French System – differences are related to anatomical vs. functional correlations. One example is Shenmen in the Chinese system. It is at the hip in the French system. Shenmen is used to help with stress. The GB channel is associated with the hip. The GB channel is also used for stress. Therefore the two systems aren’t in conflict if you look at them properly.
A good book that contains all the points in all the systems is “Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture” By Terry Oleson, Ph.D. © Terry Oleson, Ph.D. Published by: Heath Care Alternatives, 8033 Sunset Boulevard, #2657, Los Angeles, CA90046.
General Guidelines for Use of Microsystems especially Ear Acupuncture
1. As a synergist with/supplement to body points.
a. Gives the patient a way to treat themselves between visits, thus extending the effect of the treatment, lessening the need for more frequent treatments and speeding up the pace of recovery.
b. Provides additional stimulation to the nervous system to help overcome sluggish or frozen response mechanisms. Some people/conditions may need a stronger treatment to get the intended results (body or ear points alone not enough, but both together do the trick). Ex) Alcoholism(In addition to the usual 5 needle protocol, needling LV3 and GB34 usually necessary for treatment to work: this has been my own experience working in a drug detox program.
2. As a non-needle approach to treatment (i.e. using seeds or pellets).
c. People averse to needles often have a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system (are hypersensitive), making the ear points even more tender than they normally tend to be. This means that seeds or pellets will have a stronger effect than normal.
3. As a way of treating an inaccessible area of the body.
a. Problem area may be bandaged or in a cast.
b. Treatment of a primary condition may require a position that makes direct treatment of a secondary or tertiary problem impossible.
C. Patient may be too modest, or facilities may not be available to allow patient to partially disrobe or to lie down for treatment.
4. For general relaxation (i.e. 5 needle protocol). Is a good way to calm down the sympathetic part of the nervous system.
Go to Scalp Acupuncture
Go to Hand Acupuncture
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