Auricular acupuncture is one of the more widely used microsystems within eastern medicine. Microsystems use one aspect of the body – for example, the ears, hands or feet – to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body.
Auricular acupuncture involves the ear, which is believed to be a wonderful source of over 200 therapeutic acupuncture points. The acupuncturist inserts needles throughout the auricle, the fleshy cartilage of the outer ear.
The acupuncture points found in the outer ear correspond to locations of the body. When needles are inserted, they stimulate the points and send an electrical impulse to the brain that map to the corresponding parts of the body.