I got mine specifically for anxiety, but the results had me wondering, what else can they do? So I spoke with experts to find out. According to mbg contributor Dan Hsu, DOAM, LAc, who writes that acupuncture and pressure works by stimulating areas of the skin with lots of nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatics, and capillaries—that then trigger biochemical and physiological changes. For auriculotherapy, in particular, all of the stimulation is done on the ear. Researchers have suggested1 that this therapy, in particular, works closely with the vagus nerve, or what connects the brain to the body. And for this modality in particular, there are smaller studies that just look at auricular acupressure and acupuncture (basically: studies that look at this modality on the ear specifically, instead of the full body). Here’s the research that’s out there—then try for yourself and draw your own conclusions about whether it’s right for you: Another small clinical trial found that women in labor reduced anxiety during the “active phase"3 with crystal ear seeds. Of course, if you are pregnant, always consult with your health care provider. That being said, if you can’t see a professional or want to chance it out yourself, licensed acupuncturist and herbalist Mona Dan, LAc, explained the process to me as she applied mine. Here, the application techniques:
