Auricular/Ear Acupuncture
What is Auricular acupuncture?
Auricular acupuncture is a specialized form of acupuncture that focuses on the outer ear (auricle). In Traditional Chinese Medicine and some integrative medicine models, the ear is viewed as a microsystem of the body, where specific points correspond to different organs, nerves, and physiological functions.
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How does it work?
Modern research suggests auricular acupuncture works through neurophysiological pathways, not just traditional theory:
The ear contains dense nerve innervation, including branches of the vagus nerve
Stimulating ear points sends signals to the brain and central nervous system
This can regulate:
Pain perception
Stress response
Hormonal balance
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What the research shows
Studies show auricular acupuncture can:
Reduce pain and inflammation
Improve sleep and emotional regulation
Help regulate stress hormones and autonomic function
Emerging research on auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) also shows measurable changes in brain activity and nervous system regulation, supporting its role in mental health and neurological conditions.
Pain & Postoperative Symptoms
Auricular acupuncture has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery in randomized clinical trials. → (Sahmeddini, M. A., & Fazelzadeh, A. (2008))
Stress, Anxiety, and Mood
Studies report improvements in:
Anxiety
Sleep
Emotional balance
Likely due to vagus nerve activation and parasympathetic regulation → (ACA Acupuncture)
Nervous System Regulation
Research demonstrates that auricular stimulation can:
Increase parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity
Improve heart rate variability (HRV)
Reduce chronic stress responses
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Conditions auricular acupuncture is often used to support;
Post operative nausea and vomiting
Pain management (adjunct)
Smoking cessation
Anxiety & stress reduction
Sleep improvement / Insomnia
Appetite regulation
Substance use / addiction (beyond smoking)
Chronic pain conditions
Menstrual disorders / PMS
Depression
Anxiety
Respiratory issues
Hormonal regulation
Neurological conditions
Digestive disorders like IBS & functional dyspepsia
Blood pressure regulation
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What to expect during an auricular only acupuncture session.
After the ear is cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol, very fine, sterile needles or small ear seeds are placed on specific points of the outer ear to help regulate the nervous system and support overall balance. Most patients feel little to no discomfort and often experience a sense of calm or deep relaxation during and after treatment.
If you’re sensitive to needles, auricular therapy can be performed using ear seeds or other gentle, needle-free techniques that remain highly effective.
Auricular acupuncture is commonly used to support concerns such as stress, sleep, pain, and overall nervous system regulation. It can be used on its own or alongside body acupuncture to enhance treatment outcomes.
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Our experience
During the final phase of my doctoral program, I completed clinical shifts at Harborview Medical Center. In that hospital setting, treatment options were often limited—many patients had injuries, recent surgeries, or IV lines that restricted the use of body acupuncture points. As a result, I relied heavily on auricular acupuncture.
Initially, I was unsure how effective ear-based treatments would be for complex pain cases, including patients recovering from severe trauma such as amputations, spinal injuries, or fractures. However, I quickly saw meaningful results. It wasn’t uncommon for patients to become deeply relaxed, often even falling asleep shortly after treatment began.
After each session, we were required to reassess pain levels, and many patients reported a 2–3 point reduction on a 10-point scale. This experience was eye-opening and reinforced how effective auricular acupuncture can be for pain management, as well as its broader role in supporting the nervous system. - Jared Jones, LAc, DAc.
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Why are the treatments shorter?
Auricular acupuncture can be quite detailed, but our goal is to offer a treatment that is both efficient and accessible, fitting easily into your schedule. Each session is approximately 30 minutes, including about 5 minutes to place the points, 20 minutes of rest with the needles or seeds in place, and a final 5 minutes to apply ear seeds for continued stimulation after your visit.
During a treatment, we may use up to 10 points total (typically 5 per ear), depending on your specific needs. Ear seeds or pellets are also included to support longer-lasting results between sessions.
You can choose to sit comfortably in a chair—catching up on emails if you’d like—or lie down on a warm treatment table to fully relax, depending on what feels best for you.
