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Auriculotherapy
WHAT IS AURICULOTHERAPY?
Auriculotherapy treats pain and dysfunction in the body using precise acupuncture of the ear.
On the ear are more than one hundred Acupoints which relate to various organ systems and parts of the body. During fetal development, the first structure to form is the brain and spinal cord. At the same time, what later becomes the external ear also develops.
The Ancient Chinese viewed the ear as resembling an upside down fetus with all of the body parts proportionately arranged in and out of the ear. For example, the lobe of the ear would relate to the head, brain, stem, and face while the top of the ear related to the knee, foot, and ankle. The success rate in Ear Acupuncture is remarkable. Thousands of American physicians have begun using ear Acupuncture as an adjunct to their practice.
Auriculotherapy has been used successfully in both China and Greece since 500 B.C. Modern auriculotherapy was founded in the 1950's, when French neurologist Paul Nogier, MD, rediscovered that areas of the human body correspond to specific points on the ear. Medical studies conducted by the Nanking Army in the 1960's and UCLA in the 1980's have confirmed that auriculotherapy is an effective treatment.
Auriculotherapy for Weight Loss
The needle/bead(s), when placed in specific measured acupuncture points in the left ear, causes a constant stimulation. This stimulation helps to reduce portion size, suppress appetite and cravings. Eating past your “full point” may cause nausea, bloatedness, stomach cramping and/or other symptoms; therefore you should not eat past this “full point”. Electrical stimulation utilizing microcurrent is also done to several important points in the ear.
Auriculotherapy for Smoking Cessation
The needle/bead(s) is placed in measured acupuncture points in the right ear and helps to decrease the addiction to nicotine and minimizes physical withdrawal symptoms. Most experience a change in the taste of the cigarette which also helps to break the habit of smoking. The stimulation also helps with the oral fixation associated with smoking and/or smokeless tobacco use. Electrical stimulation utilizing microcurrent is also done to several important points in the ear.
Auriculotherapy for Stress/Depression/Anxiety and/or Migraine Headaches
The needle/bead(s) is placed in a measured acupuncture point(s) in either ear which causes stimulation to the Tranquilizer point which reduces the physical effects of stress, depression and/or anxiety for most people. The stimulation of this point also helps to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches for most people. Electrical stimulation utilizing microcurrent is also done to several important points in the ear.
WHO WILL BE PERFORMING THE PROCEDURE?
Craig Cernosek, D.C. will be performing the procedure. Dr. Cernosek has been in practice since 1997. The doctor received training in this specific procedure by a doctor of chiropractic with a diplomate in acupuncture who has been using this procedure for years with his own patients. The results have been very impressive.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The needle/bead(s)activates the acupuncture point in your ear that sends a message to your brain telling it that your stomach is full for weight loss. It also stimulates the point to help reduce cravings. Acupuncture practitioners typically use the left ear for weight control and the right ear for smoking cessation.
DOES IT HURT?
The needle(s) is instrumentally inserted and is less than having an ear pierced. Most people experience a small discomfort, but some don't feel anything at all. The primary discomfort felt is due to the tenderness of the acupuncture points themselves.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
No health risks have been associated with this procedure.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF IT IS WORKING?
The most common effect for the weight loss treatment is a decrease in appetite and the amount of food eaten. Many patients experience nausea and stomach cramps if they overeat. Other common findings include a decrease in cravings, such as for sugar and sweets. The most common effect for the quitting smoking treatment is a change in taste of the cigarettes and a decrease in the body's physical need for nicotine. Some people do experience nausea if they continue to smoke or use nicotine.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS PROCEDURE?
Statistically 20% experience an aggressive or exceptional degree of suppression, whereas 60% experience a moderate suppression. An approximate 20% have a mild response or no response. There is no way to predict the effectiveness prior to staple insertion. As with any weight loss program, decrease of food intake and increase of exercise is highly recommended.
WILL IT INTERFERE WITH SLEEPING/SWIMMING/TALKING ON THE PHONE ETC.?
No. Normal use of a pillow or phone will not bother it. Also, swimming will not affect it negatively.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The charge is $60 and this includes the initial measuring of the precise acupuncture points and the specific treatment. The cost of re-insertions and stimulations are based on frequency of care that is needed i.e. the more frequently your body needs the stimulation, the less it costs for each visit.
We strongly encourage exercise to enhance weight loss.
Care for Your Ear
- Hygiene is the sole responsibility of the patient. No special care is needed for the ear that has the needle or beads in place.
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Initially the area may show some mild swelling, redness and tenderness. THIS IS NORMAL. Should the ear become infected (pus, severe tenderness and moderate to severe swelling), contact us immediately if the needle or bead did not come out on its own. The risk of infection utilizing acupuncture needles and beads is almost 0.
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The time frame for maximum benefit is different for everyone. Your body will become used to the stimulation at some point and no longer respond. At that point the body will push the auricular needles out. The bead will generally come out before the needles but not always. The average times are different for everyone. For most, the initial reaction to the stimulation is the strongest and will then decrease somewhat as your body gets acclimated to it. This does not mean it has stopped working.
In addition to the auriculotherapy, I highly recommend a healthy diet and routine exercise for overall health reasons and increased long term weight loss. While the stimulation from the staple will help with your habits, it is up to you to “listen” to those signals for maximum benefit.
