Acupuncture: A Healing Method with Thousands of Years of History

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture, derived from the Latin words acus (needle) and punctura (to puncture), is a traditional treatment method that involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. With a history of nearly 3,000 years, acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is now widely used around the world as both a complementary and alternative medical practice.

Since the 1970s, acupuncture has gained acceptance in the Western world, especially in the United States and Europe, where it is commonly used as a supportive treatment for various health issues.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body contains 12 pairs of main energy channels, known as meridians, and their branches. Special acupuncture points located along these meridians can be stimulated using needles, lasers, electrical currents, or moxibustion (herbal heat sticks) to help restore internal balance.

The vital energy called "Chi" (Qi) flows through these channels. When the flow of Chi is smooth and balanced, the body is considered healthy. Disruptions such as blockages, stagnation, or imbalance in this energy flow are believed to cause various diseases, pain, and dysfunctions.

Acupuncture aims to regulate this energy flow and balance the autonomic nervous system, thereby activating the body’s natural self-healing ability.

Conditions Treated with Acupuncture

Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is considered an effective complementary method for treating a wide range of conditions and symptoms, including:

• Headaches and migraines
• Neck and lower back pain
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Depression and anxiety
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Addiction treatments (e.g., smoking cessation)
• Weight control and appetite regulation

What is Auriculotherapy (Ear Acupuncture)?

Auriculotherapy is a specific form of acupuncture that targets particular points on the ear to stimulate the body through neural reflexes. In this approach, the ear is seen as a miniature map of the entire body.

History and Scientific Basis of Auriculotherapy

Though its roots go back to ancient Chinese medicine, auriculotherapy was developed into a systematic practice in the 1950s by French physician Dr. Paul Nogier. He observed that one of his patients experienced relief from sciatic pain after a local treatment applied to the ear. Intrigued by this result, Dr. Nogier began mapping ear points and eventually laid the foundations of modern ear acupuncture.

He discovered that the shape of the ear resembles an inverted fetus in the womb, with each region of the ear corresponding to a specific organ or body part. These areas are believed to be connected to the brain via neural pathways and can influence various body systems.

How is Auriculotherapy Applied?

Specific points on the ear are stimulated using one or more of the following methods:

• Fine acupuncture needles
• Laser beams
• Adhesive tapes with seeds or tiny metal beads
• Low-voltage electrical stimulation

Treatment sessions are personalized based on the patient’s symptoms and are usually brief. The main goal is to support the body’s natural healing process by balancing the autonomic nervous system.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Auriculotherapy

Auriculotherapy can be used as a supportive treatment for a variety of health issues, including:

• Head, neck, and back pain
• Sleep disorders
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Weight loss and appetite control
• Smoking cessation and other addictions
• Digestive system disorders
• Hormonal imbalances

Advantages of Auriculotherapy

• Drug-free and free of side effects
• Supports body balance naturally
• Can be safely combined with other treatment methods
• Offers a complementary option for chronic and psychological disorders

Who Can Perform Auriculotherapy?

Auriculotherapy should be administered by certified physicians who have received specialized training in the field. When applied correctly and with proper knowledge, it is considered a highly safe and effective method.

Dr. Meltem İNCE