Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture, Third Edition

322 Pages·2002·29.94 MB·English

by  Terry Oleson

' TerryOleson1996,1998
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PrintedinChina I
Foreword
Ihaveknown DrTerryOleson for anumberof years andIamverypleased to have
been asked towritesome lines of introduction for the thirdeditionof the
AuriculotherapyManual: ChineseandWesternSystems ofEarAcupuncture.
Ihavevery
high regardfor the advanced level of informationcontained inthisbook. DrOleson
states extremely wellthatthere are twoverydifferentapproaches to understandabout
auriculotherapy. Oneapproach isOriental,the otherone isOccidental. The Oriental
approach calls upon the basic concepts of classical acupuncture. Most prominentare
the concepts ofyinandyang. InthisEasternapproach towardsauriculotherapy, the
notionof ’energy’ isomnipresent. Themetaphysical viewof the world andof manisthe
primaryfocus, even more prominentthanthe doctrines of physiology andanatomy.
The Western approach towardsauriculotherapy, thatwhich PaulNogier firstproposed,
rests upon the scientific method of observations, and the repetitionof such
It
observations. isalso grounded upon the basic foundations of anatomyand
physiology. Inthe Western approach, there isno notion of energy andno metaphysical
philosophy thatunderlies thistechnique. Infact, withoutgoing into details, the
external ear has particulardiagnostic andtreatmentproperties because of its
innervationandbecause of the presence of neuro-vascularcomplexes. These
complexes aresmall, actual entitiesconsisting of micro-hormones dispersed underthe
skin of the external ear.
There are actually twojuxtaposed somatotopic systems which explainauriculotherapy
asitispracticed today inEurope. Thefirstsystem isbased on nervous fibers distributed
It
throughout the auricle andispurely areflex. iswiththissystem thatone uses
auriculotherapy toalleviatepain.Thesecond system rests upon the existence of the
neuro-vascularcomplexes discovered bythe teamof PrSenelar: Odile Auziech,
Claudie Terral.Onthe externalear, there exist cutaneous points of reduced electrical
resistance thatcorrespond to histological microformations made up of anerve, a
It
lymphatic vessel, asmall artery, andaveinule. isthese microformations thatare
called neuro-vascular-complexes. Stimulationof these complexes by infrared light
modifies the temperature andthe thermalregulation of internalbody organs, thus
modifying theirfunction.
Schematically, the external ear islike acomputer keyboard which acts on thewhole
organism through the intermediaryof the central nervous system andthe auricular
micro-hormonal system. Thisauricularsystem has twotypes of computer keys, one set
connected to the spinothalamic system thatmodulates painperception andanotherset
which initiatesthe release of active hormonal substances which modify specific internal
organs. When looking atthe ear, one willobtainadifferent effect ifaneedle isused, or
alaserlight,or amagnetic field.As witheverything inmedicine, greatskill isrequired
to masterthistechnique. Thecomputer keyboard on the ear allows clinicians to
effectively treatpain,functional disorders, addictive problems, andminorpsychiatric
disorders.
It
iswellknown thatPaulNogier, myfather,discovered the somatotopic properties of
the externalear.There arejust afewfortunatepeople who not only dream,butwho are
able tocarry out theirdreams andbring them into reality. PaulNogier wasatthe same
time amanof innovativethoughts andamanof productive action. Hewasagifted
clinician of exceptional abilities who attentivelylistened to hispatients,respected what
they had tosay,andthoroughly investigated theirmaladies. Tirelessly, he examined
patientsfrom MondaymorningtoSaturdayevening, tryingto understandandtocure
theirillnesses. One cannot understandthe work of PaulNogier withoutknowing his
character. Hewasamanwho spent much of histime proposing sometimes
contradictory newideas, the majorityofwhich fell by the wayside. Nevertheless, his
most original ideas remain:the somatotopic representations on the ear, thevascular
It
autonomic signal,andthe treatmenteffect of specific frequencies. isfor these
discoveries thatmany students followed himso devotedly. Atthe same time,
confronted withso much apparentinconstancy, much of the teaching bythisgreat
masterwasnot understood or fell outof favor.
Foreword ix
AuriculotherapyManual
This thirdedition of the strives tobringcloser together
Western neurophysiological concepts andOrientalenergetic concepts asthey relate to
auriculotherapy. DrOleson livesinastate inthe USA which also assimilates Western
and Easterncultures. Perhapsonly inCaliforniacould one be able todo the work that
he has done. Inthe thirdedition of thisbook, the origins of auriculotherapy are traced
to historical sources inthe West aswellasChina.The use of acupuncture points on the
external earhas had along traditioninOrientalmedicine, which expanded ina
different direction withthe introduction of the somatotopic earcharts developed by
PaulNogier. At the same time, interestinauricularmedicine broughtgreaterattention
to the practice of classical acupuncture inEurope.
Thisbook explores abroad range of theoretical perspectives thathave been developed
to understandthe underlying bases of auriculotherapy. Thesomatotopic features of
multiple micro-acupuncture systems, the relationship of earacupuncture to other
concepts inOrientalmedicine, andholographic models are alldescribed ina
comprehensive manner.Neurophysiological investigations of auricularacupuncture,
andthe role of hormonal substances such asendorphins, are substantiatedwith
numerous scientific studies. Artistic illustrationsrevealingthe anatomical regions of
the external earfacilitate greatercomprehension of the correspondences between the
earandthe body. The auricularzone system developed by DrOleson provides
clinically useful reference guidelines for conducting auriculardiagnosis and
auriculotherapy treatments.The predominantportion of thisbook presents several
hundred earacupuncture points organized bymajoranatomical systems. Auricular
representation of the musculoskeletal system, visceral organs, endocrine glands, and
the nervous system are differentiated by theiranatomical location andclinical
function.
The treatmentplans presented atthe endof thisbook integrateearacupuncture points
discovered inthe West aswellasinChina.InEuropeanapplications of auricular
medicine, greateremphasis isplaced upon palpationof the vascular autonomic signal
to determine the reactivity of anearpointanditsappropriateness for treatment.This
book isaveryimportantcontribution to the field of health care inthe West andthe
East.DrOleson’s work issignificant. EvenifIardentlydefend the Western
conceptualizations of auricularacupuncture based upon the ear’s unique physiology, I
wishthathishook meets the success which itwelldeserves,
Lyon,July 2003 Raphael Nogicr MD
x Foreword
Preface
When one has been on ajourney for almost three decades, itisnot uncommon to
wonder howthejourney firstbegan. Forme, the exploration of the fascinating field of
aurieulotherapy startedwithanafternoon lecture Iheardwhile completing my
graduatestudies atthe University of CaliforniaatIrvine(UCI).The presentation itself
had nothingtodo eitherwithacupuncture or the external ear, but itstimulated my
mind tobe drawnto apath thatcontinues toexcite me still.The UCI Departmentof
Psychobiology sponsored aweekly guest lecturer series thatbrought invisitingfaculty
from allover the UnitedStates, but thatday’s presenter wasfrom ourneighboring
Californiacampus atUCLA. DrJohn Liebeskind mesmerized mewithhispioneering
research on aconcept that,in1972,wascompletely newto the field of neuroscience.
Hislaboratory haddemonstrated thatelectrical stimulationof the periaqueductal gray
of the brainstemcould inhibitbehavioral reflexes topainfulstimuli. While the sensory
pathways thatcarry pain messages to the brainhadbeen thoroughly investigated, the
laboratory of DrLiebeskind provided the firstscientific indication thatthe brainhas
It
the capability to turnoff painaswellasrespond to pain. wasseveral years laterthat
subsequent studies would discover endorphins, the morphine-like substances that
serve asthe body’s naturallyoccurring analgesic. Whathad made the Liebeskind
research so impressive wasthatthe analgesia produced byelectrical stimulationcould
be blocked bythe chemical antagonistto morphine known asnaloxone. Iwrote to
DrLiebeskind afterthe lecture, met withhimatUCLA, andsoon submitted an
application for afederally funded postdoctoral scholarship working inhislaboratory. As
mydoctoral dissertation examined the firingpatternsof neurons inthe somatosensory
andauditorypathways duringPavlovianconditioning, mypostdoctoral grantsought to
examine neuralfiringpatternsinthe brainpathways related tothe inhibitionof pain
sensations.
InJungianpsychology there isthe concept of synchronicity, ameaningful coincidence
of separate events thatdo not seem causally connected (Jung1964).Junghimself
noted thatthe classical Chinese texts didnot ask,Whatcauses anevent?,but instead,
Whatlikes tooccur withwhat?Toooften, individualsfailto notice such synchronistic
events, dismissing them asrandomcoincidences. Ican often observe such events only
inretrospect. Ibegan mywork inDrLiebeskind’s labafterreceiving myPhDin
It
Psychobiology in1973. so happened thatthe neuroscience laboratories atthe UCLA
Departmentof Psychology were inthe basement of an ll-storybuilding. After awalk
down along underground hallwayone arrivedatthe UCLAAcupuncture Research
Clinic. Whatfirstdrew me to thatendof the buildingwasastrangesmell which seemed
like marijuana,but infact wasthe Chinese herb moxa. While Iconducted animal
research experiments duringthe day,Ibegan spending more of myfree time hours
interactingwiththe doctors investigatingthe effects of acupuncture. In1974,UCLA
wasone of only afew,majorUSuniversities toexplore the multiple dimensions of
alternativemedicine. The UCLApainclinic successfully treatedhundreds of chronic
painpatientswithacupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, guided imagery andnutritional
counseling. The directors of the clinic, DrDavidBresler andDrRichardKroening,
It
invitedme to theiroffices one afternoon andasked me tobe theirresearch director.
waslike aninvisibleforce pushed me from behind asIleaped atthe opportunity. Idid
not haveanyacupuncture skills, but asapsychologist Ihad extensive trainingin
conducting research. And thus began the amazingjourney.
The firstresearch project thatweundertook wasto examine auriculardiagnosis, rather
thanconduct aclinical outcome study. At thattime, the medical profession devalued
acupuncture assimply aplacebo, butadiagnostic study could not be contaminated bya
It
patient’sdesire to please theirpractitioner. took several years todesign the research
andcollect the data,but therewasanenergizingatmosphere affecting everyone
participatinginthe clinic thatmade itagreatpleasure towork there. Iwassurprised
myself when the results were finallyanalyzed andthere wassuch astrong statistical
finding.Byjust examiningthe external ear, andblind to apatient’sdiagnosis, a
physician could identify the partsof the body where apatienthadreported
musculoskeletal pain.While Iwasinitiallyonly ascientific observer of such
Preface xi
phenomena, Isubsequently took numerous classes andseminars inauriculotherapy
andbody acupuncture. Therewere not many USacupuncture schools atthattime, but
therewere plenty of teachers. While mostly unknowninthe white, black andHispanic
partsof Los Angeles, therewere alarge numberof practitioners of Orientalmedicine
inthe Asian districts. Theywere verywillingto share theirknowledge of theirancient
andalmost mystical arts. Itwasonly afterIpresented the results of the auricular
diagnosis research tothe InternationalSociety for the Study of PainthatIlearned of
the whole field of auricularmedicine thatispracticed inEurope.American doctors
prefer the electrical detection andtreatmentof acupuncture points more thanAsian
doctors, andseveral electronic equipment manufacturers sponsored seminars that
incorporated thework of Europeanaswell asChinese acupuncturists. Ihad readabout
the pioneering auriculotherapy work of DrPaulNogier, but Ibegan studying with
physicians who had actually studiedwithhiminFrance. DrTsun-NinLee sponsored a
presentation byNogier inSanFrancisco, anditwasthenthatIfirsthad the opportunity
to meet thisgreatman.DrNogier only spoke inFrench,so DrJoseph Helms had to
It
translatethe materialinto English. isnot alwayseasy to listen to lectures asthey are
translated,butDrNogier held the audience enthralled. He had readof myresearch on
auriculardiagnosis and made aspecial invitationto meet withme, which Iwasvery
glad to accept. Ihad three more opportunities to meet withhimpersonally at
internationalcongresses inEurope, anditalwaysseemed like anhonor. Ialways
wished thatIhadmore time to upgrade myhigh school French so thatIcould converse
withhimmore fluently, butitisvery intriguingthatameeting of minds can occur
beyond one’s linguistic abilities. Ifeel veryfortunate to have received individual
guidance on understandingthe underlying mechanisms thatcan account for the
impressive benefits of auriculotherapy.
DrRichardKroening had once told me thatinmedical school, when learninganew
medical procedure, the motto issee one, do one, teach one. While not progressing
quite thatfast, Ihavenowhad the occasion to teach courses inauriculotherapy at
colleges and universities across the UnitedStates. The adage thatone learnsfrom
one’s students continues to apply even after20years of teaching. Students come to me
andinform me of patientsthey have treatedwithauriculotherapy for unusual
conditions thatIhaveonly studied inbooks. While they tell me thatthey learned how
AuriculotherapyManual,
todo such treatmentsfrom earliereditions of my the clinical
contents of thismanualdid notbegin withme. The works of many acupuncture masters
inAsia, Europe, andAmerica inspired me to compile theirteachings inameaningful
way.Ialso had the good fortune toconnect withDrJim Shores whoco-sponsored the
InternationalConsensus Conference on Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, andAuricular
It
Medicine in1999. wasmycontinued efforts to understandthis unusual clinical
procedure thathas led to this most recent edition.Thatstimulationof the external ear
can affect conditions inotherpartsof the body does not seem intuitivelyobvious. Even
aftertreatinghundreds of patientswiththisapproach, itcontinues to amazeme thatit
can work. The purpose of thisbook isto explain both the theoretical basis andthe
clinical practice of auriculotherapy so thatothers mayknow of itsvalue.
Iwould like to acknowledge TimMcCracken, JanJames, andSinuhe Alberto Avalos
for theirinvaluableassistance inproducing thisbook. Iwantto also thankDannyWatts
for hiswillingness toserve asthe model for the humanfigures used inthis book.
Los Angeles 2003 TerryOleson
xii Preface
Auricular microsystem points
Masterpoints andlandmarks Musculoskeletalpoints
Ankle.C Toes.C
Heel.C Knee.C
Hip.C
Toes.E
Ankle.E
SkinDisorder.C
Knee.E
...---Hand
Hip.E
Wrist
Autonomic point __’
Heel.E
Abdomen
SacralSpine
SkinDisorder.E
l.umbarSpine
ThoracicSpine Elbow
ExternalEar.C--+--...(
Chest
MuscleRelaxation
Arm
InnerNose.C Shoulder
InnerEar.E
Neck
CervicalSpine.-"."
MasterShoulder
Temples Occiput
EyeDisorder1 TM]
EyeDisorder2
Forehead
DentalAnalgesia CS;l..
LM7
Eye Face
~
Depthview
Internalorganandneuroendocrinepoints Auricular somatotopicmap
onposteriorof ear
.Apex
Antihistamine ofEar
Omega 2 I__=t:~__//HepatiPtirso.Cstate.C
Hypertension ’-. \ "Sciatic Nerve
Uterus.C Bladder
Kidney.E Kidney.C
Constipation / LesserOccipital Nerve
(WindStream.C)
Psychosomatic
AdrenalGland.E
Reactions
SmallIntestines
ExternalGenitals.C
Uterus.E_____ /SpinalCord
Largeintestines Heart.E
Pancreas
Diaphragm.C
Ovaries/Testes.E~__ Spleen.E
ExternalGenitals.E Stomach
Mouth
Vitalitypoint---› -Liver
Throat.C ThyroidGland.E
Throat.E Spleen.C
Appetite Control›
AdrenalGland.C-~,,­ Lung1
Lung2 ------ThyroidGland.C
San[iao>:", Heart.C
ACTH/ / Brainstem.C
PinealGland/ Antidepressant point
PituitaryGlancY " "Brain.C
’Asthma
TSH/ /
".. -,Hippocampus (memory)
FrontalCortex’/
Gonadotropins (FSH,Ovaries.C)
LimbicSystem/
(Prostaglandin) Amygdala (aggressiveness)
- Chineseearreflex point
.C
"E- Europeanearreflex point
e 2003ElsevierScience Limited
Anatomical zones of the ear
Invertedfetusmap Frequencyzones Surfaceviewofauricularzones
AZ Auricularanatomy
HX Helix
AH Antihelix
LO Lobe
TG Tragus
AT Antitragus
IT IntertragicNotch
SF ScaphoidFossa
TF TriangularFossa Posteriorviewofauricularzones Hiddenviewofauricularzones
SC SuperiorConcha
IC InferiorConcha
CR ConchaRidge
CW ConchaWall
ST Subtragus
IH InternalHelix
PL PosteriorLobe
PG PosteriorGroove
PT PosteriorTriangle
PC PosteriorConcha
PP PosteriorPeriphery
Depthview
Antihelix
TF3 inferior
:;':'"'---.lL- crus
Antihelix
body
--AMI:ArH10
SC8~
AH8 Antihelix
tail
o SF1
C~'1:JJIf~
IC8. "e
if)2003ElsevierScienceLimited
Overview and history of
I I
auriculotherapy
1.1 Introductionto auriculotherapy
1.2 Health care practitioners using auriculotherapy
1.3 Historical overview ofauriculotherapy
1.4 Earacupuncture developments inChina
1.5 Auriculotherapy and auricular medicine intheWest
1.6 Comparison ofear acupuncture to body acupuncture
1.1 Introduction to auriculotherapy
Auriculotherapyisahealthcaremodalityinwhichtheexternalsurfaceoftheear, orauricle, is
stimulatedtoalleviate pathologicalconditionsinotherpartsofthebody.Whileoriginallybased
upontheancientChinesepracticeofacupuncture,thesomatotopiccorrespondenceofspecific
partsofthebodytospecificpartsoftheearwasfirstdevelopedinmodernFrance.Itisthis
integratedsystemofChineseandWesternpracticesofauriculotherapythatisdescribedinthis
text.
1.2 Healthcare practitioners using auriculotherapy
Acupuncturists: Thepracticeofclassical acupunctureandTraditionalChineseMedicine(TCM)
includestheinsertionofneedlesintoearacupointsaswell asbodyacupuncturepoints.Thesetwo
approachesofstimulatingacupuncturepointsonthebodyortheearcanbeused inthesame
treatmentsession orindifferentsessions. Some acupuncturistsstimulateearreflex pointsasthe
sole methodoftheiracupuncturepractice,oftenfindingthatitismorerapidinrelieving painand
more effective intreatingsubstanceabuse thanbodyacupuncture.
Biofeedback therapists: Whereasbiofeedbackisvery useful inteachingpatients
self-controltechniquestoachieve generalrelaxationandstress management,auriculotherapy
augmentsbiofeedbackproceduresbyproducingmoredirectandimmediatereliefofmyofascial
painandvisceral discomfort.
Chiropractic doctors: Auriculotherapyhasbeenused tofacilitatespinalmanipulations,deep
tissuework,andmotorpointmassage. Stimulationofauricularpointsreducesresistancetothe
release ofmuscle spasms andthecorrectionofposturalpositionsbychiropracticadjustments.
Whenauriculotherapyisappliedafteramanipulativetreatment,ittendstostabilizepostural
realignmentsachievedbyachiropracticprocedure.
Dentists: Auriculotherapyhasbeenused toachieve dentalanalgesiaforthereliefofacute pain
fromeitherdentaldrillingorteethcleaningprocedures.Forchronicproblems,suchasheadaches
and temporomandibularjoint(TMJ)dysfunction,auriculotherapycanbecombinedwithtrigger
pointinjections,dentalsplints,andocclusal work,thusfacilitatingmoresuccessful alleviationof
chronicheadandneckpain.
Medical doctors: Physiciansspecializinginanesthesiology,surgery, internalmedicine,andfamily
practicehave employedauriculotherapyforthemanagementofchronicpain,thetreatmentof
acute muscle sprains,andthereductionofunwantedsideeffects from narcoticmedications.
Whetherpracticedbythemselves, orbymedical assistantsworkingunderthem,auriculotherapy
hasbeenused toalleviate avarietyofsomaticcomplaintsseen instandardmedicalpractice.
Naturopathic doctors: Naturopathicpractitionersoftenincludeauriculotherapyalongwith
homeopathic,nutritionalandpreventivemodalities.Auriculardiagnosishasbeenusedto
Overviewandhistory 1
determinespecific allergies andappropriateherbalrecommendations.Auricularstimulationcan
relieve distressoriginatingfromdysfunctionalinternalorgans.
Nurses: Thestandardmedicalcare providedbynursescanbegreatlyassistedbytheapplication
ofauriculotherapyforthesystematicreliefofpainandpathologythatisnotadequatelyalleviated
byconventionalmedicationsorprocedures.
Osteopathicdoctors: Auriculotherapyhasbeen used tofacilitatethecorrectionofmisaligned
vertebrae,toreducesevere muscle spasms, andtoaugmentpainmanagementprocedures.
Physicaltherapists: Auriculotherapyisapowerfuladjuncttotranscutaneouselectricalnerve
stimulation(TENS),traction,ultrasound,andtherapeuticexercises for thetreatmentofacute
whiplashinjuries,severe muscle spasms, orchronicback pain.
Psychotherapists: Psychiatristsandpsychologistshave employedauriculotherapyfor the
reductionofanxiety,depression,insomnia,alcoholism,andsubstanceabuse.
Reflexologists: Tactilemanipulationofreflex pointsontheearcanbe combinedwithpressure
appliedtotenderregionsofthefeet andhandsinordertorelieve specific bodyaches andinternal
organdisorders.
1.3 Historical overview of auriculotherapy
Ancient China: All recordedsystems ofclassical acupunctureare attributedtotheChinese
medical text,theYellowEmperor’sclassic ofinternalmedicine(Veith 1972),compiledbetween206
BCE and220CEoInthistext,allsixyang meridianswere saidtobedirectlyconnectedtothe
auricle. Onlytheyangmeridianchannelstravel toorfrom thehead,whereasthesixyinmeridians
were saidtoconnecttotheearindirectlythroughtheircorrespondingyang meridians.These
ancientChineseearacupuncturepoints,however, were notarrangedinananatomicallyorganized
pattern.Theywere depictedontheearas ascatteredarrayofnon-meridianpoints,withno
apparentlogical order.Reactive earacupointsthatwere tendertopalpationwere referredtoas
yangalarmpoints.
Ancient Egypt,Greece andRome: TheEgyptologistAlexandre Varille hasdocumentedthat
women inancientEgyptwhodidnotwant anymorechildrensometimeshadtheirexternalear
prickedwithaneedleorcauterizedwithheat.GoldearringswornbyMediterraneansailors were
notjustused asdecorations,butwere saidtoimprovevision. Hippocrates,the’father’ofGreek
medicine,reportedthatdoctorsmadesmall openingsintheveins behindtheeartofacilitate
ejaculationandreduceimpotencyproblems.Cuttingoftheveins situatedbehindtheearwasalso
usedtotreatsciaticpains.TheGreekphysicianGalenintroducedHippocraticmedicinetothe
RomanempireinthesecondcenturyCE, andcommentedonthe healingvalue ofbloodlettingat
theouterear.
Ancient Persia: AfterthefallofRome, the medical recordsofEgyptian,Greek,andRoman
medicinewere bestpreservedinancientPersia. IncludedinthesePersianrecordswere specific
references tomedical treatmentsforsciatic painproducedbycauterizationoftheexternalear.
EuropeanMiddleAges: TheDutchEastIndiaCompanyactively engagedintradewithChina
fromthe 1600sto1800s.As wellassilk,porcelain,tea, andspices, Dutchmerchantsbrought
ChineseacupuncturepracticesbacktoEurope.Doctorsworkingwiththecompanyhadbecome
impressedbytheeffectiveness ofneedlesandmoxaforrelievingconditionssuchassciatic painand
arthritisofthehip.Thispainreliefcouldbeobtainedbyneedlesinsertedintobodyacupoints,by
thecauterizationoftheexternalear, orbycuttingtheveins behindtheears.
ModernEurope: In1957,DrPaulNogier,aphysicianresidinginLyons,France,firstpresentedhis
observationsofthesomatotopiccorrespondencesoftheauricle. Consideredthe’Fatherof
Auriculotherapy’,DrNogieroriginatedtheconceptofaninvertedfetus mapontheexternalear.
Hedevelopedthepropositionafternoticingscars ontheearsofpatientswhohadbeensuccessfully
treatedforsciatic painbyalayhealer.Nogier’sresearchwasfirstpublishedbyaGerman
acupuncturesociety,was thencirculatedtoacupuncturistsinJapan,andwas ultimatelytranslated
intoChinese,fordistributiontoacupuncturiststhroughoutChina.TheMedicalStudiesGroupof
Lyons(GLEM)wascreatedtofurtherexploretheclinical benefitsofauricularmedicine.
2 AuriculotherapyManual