When people ask what ear points do, I ask them to think about balance in general. There are two types of balance that affect how we feel:
conscious (putting on a jacket when cold, taking a walk after sitting long periods, volume control on a TV, etc.)
unconscious bodily functions (breathing, blinking, digestion)
Our bodies are constantly repairing and renewing at the cellular level, trying to achieve a relative place of homeostasis (balance). Through acupuncture on the ear or body points, we’re trying to signal the brain to shift and help the body function smoothly or recalibrate towards homeostasis.
Through my work in the Harm Reduction space, I work on the streets of Oakland. Since the harm reduction team is set up out in the open, I'm limited by what can be easily done in that environment. Ear points are easy to access and work so well, so this is what I mostly use. Among the many problems I treat in this work are:
stress, headaches, PTSD
lower back and hip pain
addiction
allergies
acute gout
By using needles to signal balance and create flow where things are stuck, we often get some results in just 10-20 min.
In the 1970s, a set of ear points was used to help mitigate the withdrawal symptoms of opiates and drugs. This protocol was used in South Bronx, NY when a heroin epidemic hit. These points work together to help people’s bodies out of intense stress. In fact, the treatments were so helpful that the NADA protocol is still used today countrywide.
I center my work around the idea that if we can give our bodies a break from stress and the world's intensity, even for a short period, we are creating space for self-repair. We’re allowing our brains to get out of fight or flight for a short period and function in a more balanced way. Feel free to book an appointment with me so that we can discuss the benefits of ear points specifically for you!
