Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC
Ear Acupuncture, also known as auriculotherapy, is a type of acupuncture therapy wherein Licensed
acupuncturist Dr. Lisa Oskardmay places tiny sterile acupuncture needles in specific areas of the outer ear or auricle to stimulate a healing response in the body and mind. Acupuncture is based on the theory that health depends on a balanced flow of qi or energy in the body. Like the blood flow or nerve impulses, qi flow travels along meridians or channels throughout the body, delivering healing energy. The ears are critical to acupuncture treatment because all body areas have points on the auricles, and qi flowing from these points balances qi elsewhere. Auriculotherapy has many beneficial applications, and patients at our acupuncture clinic in Chapel Hill appreciate how treatment helps them.
How Ear Acupuncture Can Help
Ear acupuncture works on the premise that ear points relate to various areas of the body; stimulation of these areas sends messages to the brain to deliver healing energy or qi to the body area. For instance, a point called Ear Shen men corresponds with the hip and pelvic region, whereas other points nearby relate to other body areas. Dr. Oskardmay uses auriculotherapy with other therapies to support health and relieve body pain and other conditions. Headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, stress, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), neck, shoulder, hip, and back aches benefit from care, as do other conditions. One added benefit of ear acupuncture is that it is very relaxing, and treatment need not be performed at a painful site but rather on the ear, distal to the site of pain.
Traditional Chinese medicine ear acupuncture has other potential benefits. People use auriculotherapy to help resolve a wide range of health concerns, including insomnia, depression, allergies, and anxiety, and to resolve the effects of chemotherapy and cancer pain. Additionally, treatments exist to help people quit smoking and other addictive behaviors, lose weight, and resolve digestive disorders. Many people report improved quality of life, less pain and better energy after auriculotherapy treatment.
After an initial exam at our clinic, Dr. Oskardmay inserts the needles and patients rest comfortably for 15-20″ before she removes the needles. Treatment is not painful, although some people feel a small sting at some points. Sometimes, Dr. Oskardmay places an ear magnet in the ear for patients to press between visits to stimulate certain points. Most patients return for follow-up care, and some come in for a series of treatments.
If you are looking for ear acupuncture near you to help with pain, stress, or emotional distress, call us at 919-929-1400 or visit us online at acudocnc.com today to schedule an appointment. Serving the Chapel Hill community since 1995, the acupuncture and chiropractic offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is here to help you feel better.