Auricular therapy, also referred to as auriculotherapy, is a form of alternative medicine that involves stimulating specific points on and in the ear to treat various health conditions. Auricular therapy can include acupuncture, acupressure, lasering, and other therapy types, however Dr. Cartwright focuses on using a tuning fork and ear seeds.
Auricular Therapy dates back to as early as 2500 BC to ancient China, referenced in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, an ancient medical text. Although this early use was limited to bloodletting and cauterization, it also references using air blown through a tube into the ear to save an unconscious patient.
Although medicine has evolved over the centuries, Auricular Therapy is still based off of the original techniques although it has expanded beyond what was originally used. Auricular therapy is similar to reflexology and stimulates points on or in the ear, to address numerous health issues.
This natural health care approach is still relatively new to the United States, but in 1997 the National Institutes of Health gave conditional approval for pain management and treatment for addition, but it has been used in Europe for over 40 years and globally in countries around the world for generations. There are records of ear treatment in ancient Persia, Greece, Rome, and Egypt, along with use across South America and Africa.
Conditions Auricular Therapy Can Help
By stimulating specific points along the ear, one can help treat a number of conditions. The microsytem in the ear connects with the entire body and almost everything can benefit from the use of auriculotherapy. Some common conditions that auricular therapy treats include:
- Chronic pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Addiction
- Detoxification
- Swelling
- Functional disorders
- Allergies
- Endocrine disorders
- and general wellness care among many other benefits
How An Auricular Therapy Session Works
Dr. Cartwright only practices auricular therapy using ear seeds and a tuning fork. Depending on the patient and desired outcome of the session, Dr. Cartwright can determine what would be best.
During the visit, a visual examination of the ear will be performed and points on the ear will be touched with the tuning fork. You will feel a slight vibration. Auriculotherapy can create changes in the body by simple stimulation of the ear. It is a safe and non-invasive practice to restore body functions through the nerves.
Dr. Amanda P. Cartwright
www.theweeddoc.net