Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external surface of the ear. Chinese Medicine states that these points are connected to the rest of the body and can be used to treat a wide range of health problems.
While acupuncture has been practised for up to 5000 years modern auricular acupuncture is based on the work of the French physician Dr. Paul Nogier in the 1950s. Dr. Nogier proposed that the external ear correlates to an inverted foetus, this concept has enabled the mapping of over 200 acupuncture points. The clinical effectiveness of this approach was subsequently verified by a research team in China.
The use of auricular acupuncture in treating acute drug withdrawal symptoms is relatively recent. The first clinical trial was conducted in Hong Kong in 1972 by the physician H. L. Wen. It concluded that acupuncture could ease the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
The practical application of acupuncture in the traditional drug treatment setting evolved at New York’s Lincoln Hospital in the 1970s. The protocol followed is relatively simple: five small needles are inserted in each ear into points which are identified as specific for treating problem drug use and aiding detoxification.
The aim of the ‘5 point detox protocol’ is to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, induce general relaxation and enhance physical and mental well-being.
The ‘5 point detox protocol’ is not restricted to the treatment of opiate withdrawal. It is effective across the range of substances that people misuse. It is also appropriate at all stages of drug treatment. These stages being: preparation to detoxify, detoxification, relapse prevention and maintenance.
This protocol differs from Traditional Chinese Medicine in that it adopts a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Traditionally acupuncture is tailored to the individual following a thorough diagnosis; it is rare for two people to receive the same treatment even if they have the same signs and symptoms. The ’5 point detox protocol’ is a successful exception to this. The rational for the points chosen is discussed fully during training.