Auricular acupuncture: the auricle of the ear is seen as a micro-system of the body. Fine needles, ear-seeds or press-tacks can be used to stimulate specific points in the outer ear to treat pain, anxiety, depression and other disorders.
The NADA ear acupuncture protocol
The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol is a standardised 5-point auricular acupuncture protocol which has a balancing effect on the body and mind.
Inspired by the use in China of electro-auricular acupuncture, it has become an internationally recognised treatment since it was developed in America over 40yrs ago as a supportive component in drug detoxification settings.
The NADA protocol has been shown to have many supportive benefits in many patient groups, not just for those with alcohol or drug issues. The NADA protocol has also recently been used effectively in a number of areas, such as relieving stress, anxiety, and panic disorders, reducing the side effects of drug treatments in cancer, and in promoting wellbeing in patient groups.
Benefits include:
- Improved sleep patterns
- Promoting a feeling of relaxation
- Clearer mind
- Reduction of withdrawal symptoms and the side effects of medication
- A feeling of wellbeing
- Reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, frustration and anger
In one-to-one practice the NADA protocol can be useful if patients feel too overwhelmed by the in-depth nature of a full consultation as it can be used without necessarily diagnosing pattern imbalance.
NADA combined with Reflexology
Auricular acupuncture and the NADA protocol can be combined with reflexology treatment giving a truly de-stressing treatment that is the best of both worlds! This special treatment has great health promoting benefits particularly for conditions exacerbated by stress.