All You Need to Know about Ear Seeding
Ear acupressure, also known as ear massage, is a non-invasive technique that stimulates pressure points on the ear. The aim is to target specific pressure points to help relieve symptoms and improve your overall health.
I. Basic Concept of Ear Seeding
Ear seeding is similar to ear acupuncture but does not require the use of needles. Instead, tiny seeds are placed on acupoints of the ear to stimulate the neural pathways leading to the brain and trigger the body's natural healing mechanisms. Although ear therapy seems like a new technique for treating various conditions such as insomnia and obesity nowadays, it has actually been around for many years. The earliest mention of ear therapy can be traced back to Chinese medical literature in 211 BC.
Ear acupressure is a form of acupoint massage therapy that relieves pain or promotes healing in different parts of the body by stimulating the outer surface of the ear, known as the auricle. Traditionally, the seeds of the Vaccaria plant are attached to specific acupoints on the ear. Sometimes, people use "seeds" made of different materials such as stainless steel, gold, silver, and in some cases, magnets, as Tom Ingegno (DACM, MSOM, LAC), an acupuncturist and the owner of Charm City Integrative Health, told Health.
Ear divination is based on the belief that the ear represents the entire body and its systems (nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, etc.). In fact, experts point out that the ear looks like an inverted fetus, with the earlobe representing the head and the body and internal organs hanging down along the ridges of the ear.
This method is called a "micro-system", where your entire body can be mapped onto a smaller body part, Ingegno said. Other micro-systems include the scalp, hands, feet, and abdomen.
II. Working Principle of Ear Seeding
According to the Chinese national standard "Names and Locations of Ear Acupoints", there are 93 specific acupoints on the ear, each with different functions.
When a seed is placed on an acupoint, it stimulates the neural pathways in the brain and promotes internal changes in the body, including stress reduction and pain relief.
Nicole Glathe, DAOM, LAc, DiplOM, an acupuncturist, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and the head of product innovation at WTHN, likes to call ear therapy "mobile acupuncture" because it can provide gentle and continuous stimulation to the acupoints on the ear.
"Usually, people use about two to five seeds at a time and can place them on both ears for the best results. The selected pressure points can be mixed and matched according to your needs, allowing you to achieve multiple health goals at the same," Glathe told Health.
III. Potential Benefits of Ear Acupressure
Promoting Pain Relief and Management
A recent study found that ear seeding may be an effective method for treating acute pain. Acute pain is the pain caused by injury, illness, or trauma. In the studies reviewed, ear seeding could be used to help relieve various pain symptoms from low back pain to abdominal discomfort. The researchers also noted that people often did not require much pain management other than ear seeding.
Meanwhile, another experiment comparing kinesiology taping and ear acupressure found that both methods helped relieve pain in patients with menstrual cramps. They also noted that although the degree of pain reduction was similar in both groups, the effect of ear acupressure lasted longer.
In addition, patients in both groups used fewer medications when using one of the methods. Finally, the researchers concluded that both methods could be beneficial complementary therapies when used with drug treatment.
Helping with Weight Control
Although research on using ear seeding for weight control is limited, a review of seven different studies found that when ear seeding was used for 12 weeks (either alone or in combination with diet and exercise changes), people were able to lose weight, reduce waist circumference, and decrease body fat percentage.
The researchers concluded that ear seeding might be another way to help people control their weight. Nevertheless, they also pointed out that further research was needed. They recommended using a double-blind randomized controlled design to validate the research results.
Reducing Insomnia
Although most studies on treating insomnia with ear therapy involve acupuncture rather than acupressure, a recent study showed that ear acupressure and other ear therapies could significantly improve sleep quality, especially for patients with cancer and sleep disorders.
In addition, they noted that ear seeding did not have the side effects like taking sleeping pills or other medical interventions. However, the researchers also admitted that these results were preliminary. They recommended more rigorously designed clinical trials to support ear seeding as a potential clinical application.
Controlling Anxiety Symptoms
Although research on using ear acupressure to relieve anxiety symptoms is limited, many people reported feeling more at ease after using this complementary therapy. In fact, a study found that people who wore mustard seeds for anxiety and jaw pain had significant reductions in both conditions.
Meanwhile, a 2018 study also showed that ear therapy had encouraging efficacy for childbirth anxiety. In a triple-blind study, the researchers found that ear acupressure therapy could significantly reduce anxiety during childbirth, so they recommended it as a treatment option for pregnant women nearing delivery.
IV. Risks of Ear Seeding
Although ear seeding is a relatively safe practice, like any alternative therapy or treatment, there are some minor risks. For example, if you have sensitive skin or allergies, you may have a reaction to the seeds, tape, or metal used in ear seeding. If you have any known allergies, it is essential to check the materials used.
If the seeds are left on the skin longer than the recommended time or if you touch or manipulate them frequently, there is also a possibility of skin irritation. There have even been reports that skin irritation can lead to mild dizziness, pain, and nausea.
However, some acupuncturists may actually instruct you to press the seeds to further stimulate the pressure points.
There is even a slight risk that the ear seed may fall off and get stuck in the ear canal. In fact, a case report showed that an ear seed fell into someone's ear and passed through an existing hole in the eardrum. During a routine MRI examination, a metal bead was found and had to be removed surgically.
V. Cost
Ear acupressure is relatively inexpensive, whether it is an extension of an acupuncture session or purchased as part of a home DIY kit. In fact, most acupuncture clinics can provide this service for a small fee or may include it in the cost of acupuncture treatment, Ingegno said. It is important to note that it can be difficult to locate the correct acupoints on your own because everyone's ears are different. Having a professional do it for you may be more effective.
Ingegno added that the price of a home ear seed kit ranges from $20 to $50, depending on the number of seeds included in the kit. Some higher-end ear seeds may even include Swarovski crystals, which will increase the price.
VI. Applicable Population
Almost anyone can try ear seeding. However, it is especially useful for those who want alternatives to traditional medications and treatments or are afraid of needles. It may also be beneficial for the elderly who may need alternative methods to treat pain.
Nevertheless, it is still important to discuss this treatment option with your healthcare provider before starting.
VII. How to Start
If you are unfamiliar with ear seeding, it is best to seek the help of a licensed acupuncturist or doctor of acupuncture to get started. There are also many DIY kits that have everything you need to seed your ears on your own. But be aware that it can be difficult to seed your ears in front of a mirror, Ingegno said.
The location of the ear acupoints depends on the condition you want to treat. Some kits are specific to certain diseases, while others will list multiple diseases in a brochure. After choosing a kit, the method of use is relatively simple, but you may need the help of a professional to locate the acupoints because everyone's ears can vary greatly in size and shape.
Use tweezers to remove the tape from the card to which the seed is attached and then place the tape with the seed on the desired acupoint. Then press gently with your finger to ensure it is fixed. Usually, the seeds can be left on for about five days, Ingegno said. After that, they should be peeled off.
In conclusion, ear seeding (also known called ear acupressure) is a non-invasive treatment method that uses small seeds or beads to stimulate pressure points on the ear. The purpose of ear seeding is to relieve specific symptoms or improve overall health. Usually, two to five seeds are seeded at a time, and each seed targets a specific part of the body.
Ear acupressure is mainly used to treat pain, calm the mind, relieve anxiety, prevent insomnia, or help with weight control.
Ear seeding is relatively safe and can be performed by a licensed acupuncturist or at home using a DIY kit. If you are considering ear seeding, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider first to determine if it is suitable for you.
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