To try and explain it simply, Auricular (or Ear) Acupuncture is a specialised complementary therapy where acupuncture points on the outer ear are treated, using either needles or electro acupunctoscopes to help relieve many chronic complaints.

There are as many as two hundred acupuncture points on the outer ear, each point named generally after areas of our anatomy, i.e. knees, hips, shoulders, liver, heart etc. The outer ear acts like a switchboard to the brain. Each acupoint on the ear, when treated, triggers electrical impulses, from the ear, via the brain, to the specific area of the body that is being treated. Therefore if someone had a painful knee, for example, by treating the 'knee' acupoint on the ear, it would help alleviate the pain.

What is its Relationship to the Chinese Foetus Representation?

Take a look at the illustrated diagrams. The shape of the auricle (ear) clearly resembles a near-term foetus in the inverted position in the mother's womb. You will need to understand that the classic Chinese Acupuncture points on the ears are in a similar position to the various anatomical areas of the foetus.

For example, all the head acupoints are located on the ear lobe, e.g. tonsils, throat, sinuses etc. All the major organs of the foetus are located in the 'well' or concha of the ear as is their acupoints e.g. lungs, heart, liver, etc. and the lower limbs of the foetus are positioned at the 'top' of the ear as are the acupoints, e.g. knees, toes, ankles etc. This is a very simple explanation of the Chinese Foetus Representation, further study will help you understand it fully.

What Conditions Can It Help?