Auricular Acupuncture

How to use earrings to stimulate acupressure points on the ear according to Chinese medicine.

Written by Dr. Amanda Archuleta

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years, successfully treating pain, disease & restoring the natural flow of one’s life force energy, Qi. By stimulating strategic points along the body, you can alleviate tension caused by blockages of this energy. Ancient practitioners used a variety of tools to stimulate these points, to help awaken and heal targeted areas of the body. In modern times, acupuncturists are most commonly known to use needles to manipulate these points, but did you know a more accessible tool for everyday use may already be in your possession… lying beautifully within your own jewelry box?

With 200 acupressure points, the ear contains the most concentrated area of these incredibly powerful points on the body, supporting various conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, and one’s overall well-being. The stimulation of these points along the ear for self-healing is known as Auricular Acupuncture.

What makes Auricular Acupuncture powerful is the fact that the ear corresponds to every part of the body. Meaning, that with proper technique, you can begin to place your Catori Life Earrings & Ear Cuffs intentionally onto your body as a ritualized act of adornment, to promote healing in targeted areas of your body. Once you find the corresponding acupressure point to place your ear cuff on, you may press the cuff to stimulate the point throughout the day, massaging it with comfortable pressure.

Here’s a few points to consider:

1. The Helix

The ear points along the Helix are used to stimulate the immune system, making these points perfect to work with when suffering from a common cold, flu or allergies. If you are just getting sick, it is best to use silver cuffs to help disperse the beginning stages of a cold or flu. For long term sickness with fatigue, use gold cuffs.

2. The Anti Helix

Points on the antihelix are often targeted to help reduce stress and anxiety. Stimulation here can help provide a calming effect throughout the body to improve sleep and overall emotional well-being.

3. The Daith

Consider stimulating this acupressure point, located in the innermost fold of your ear, with one of your Padma Cuffs for relief if you suffer from migraines.

4. The Ear Lobe

If you hold a great deal of tension in your jaw, working with points along the ear lobe will be supportive for you. The stimulation of the ear lobe can create a targeted relaxation of the jaw & even promote overall dental health.

Consider Your Metals

Since ancient times, Metallurgy (a process used to study metals in their pure form) has allowed us understand the unique properties of each metal, which has helped us integrate them more deeply into our daily lives. The use of gold and silver help to disperse or tonify energy. They are considered the Yin & Yang of metals in Chinese Medicine, having opposing properties that complement each other perfectly.

In Chinese Medicine, gold, with it’s slightly warm and stimulating properties, is used to tonify. Working with the metal gold will help alleviate exhaustion & pain from deficiency or chronic pain.

Silver is more cooling, and is used to help disperse energy. This can be used for acute pain and trauma. If one has pain that becomes more intense with rest & better with movement, silver can be used to disperse the pain.