Ear Seeds, Have You Heard?
If you’ve been to my Chinese Medical practice in Mill Valley or an AcuPop public event, chances are you’ve already experienced their magic!
Ear seeds are tiny, therapeutic adhesive beads (not needles!) applied around the ears that tap into an incredible system of reflexology, called auricular therapy. When pressed, they stimulate a vast network of meridians that connect the body and mind. In daily practice, this can extend the benefits of a real acupuncture treatment to the comfort of your home. How convenient!
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Auricular or ear acupressure follows the same principles as Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is an organized system of meridians throughout the body that move with energy, or Qi. In nature, Qi raises the sun in the morning and the ocean’s tide on a full moon, Qi is the essence of every natural physical movement on earth, including your physiology.
So what makes these gems so great? I’ll tell you!
Ear seeds have few to no side effects, are accessible to obtain, and financially economical. They’re super for treating a spectrum of disorders, and can be maintained by the patient. Engaging patients in this type of self-care is a beautiful way of introducing mindfulness techniques at home.
Common conditions treated through auricular therapy:
Neck and lower back pain
Menstrual cramps
Detox and substance withdrawal, changing a medication (alcohol, Lexapro, fertility hormones, Ambien)
Migraines and headaches
Falling or structural imbalance
Digestive disorders and many more
What ties these conditions together?
Pain, mental health and addiction are all rooted in neurological and hormonal pathology or disease. Engaging directly with the brain’s pain and craving centers, the pineal gland and others, can take a huge load of pressure off that experience. It can be life-changing for some who battle chronic illness.
A very pragmatic application of ear seeds outside of the US is support during drug and alcohol detoxification, and has been shown to mitigate the GI and physical distress involved. This therapeutic practice is very common in South America, China and Germany.
Do they hurt? How long do they last?
Ear seeds are applied at the end of a massage or acupuncture appointment, by a licensed acupuncturist. They’re temporary, lasting around 2-3 days, and should be removed if the patient feels any tenderness or discomfort. Clients will generally receive 3-5 acupressure points per ear, and will usually come back weekly to replenish.
I recommend massaging each point a few times per day. Accompanying this self-care session with a meditation or breath work practice can really deepen your Qi flow. You’re worth slowing down for, checking in with your body, this is so good for you!
Let’s Work Together!
Interested in giving ear seeds a try? Curious about my other services? Super! Please email me at karinn@acupop.com, or schedule 15 minutes to chat, cheers!
Dr. Karinn Casey, founder of AcuPop, is a premier acupuncturist, herbalist and massage therapist practicing in San Francisco, Mill Valley and LA. Offering private practice and event work, Dr. Casey specializes in pain disorders, anxiety, stress management, and fertility. Karinn@acupop.com for booking or more info, thank you!