Auriculotherapy Relieves Stress and Improves Sleep

Stress and sleep disturbances typically occur together because when we don’t get enough rest, anxiety levels can increase dramatically. Ear seeds are small implements that stimulate specific acupressure points by exerting mild pressure to calm the mind and body and improve sleep.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear hosts acupressure points that correspond to each part of the body. When we stimulate a point, the smooth and abundant flow of qi, or vital life energy, returns to the related organ or area, allowing healing to take place. Ear seeds can be used alone or with acupuncture or acupressure to treat a host of symptoms, and provide support for weight loss, smoking cessation or addiction recovery.

Published in the academic journal Holistic Nursing Practice, a study titled “Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Stress and Sleep Disturbance of Middle-Aged Women in South Korea,” examined the effect of auriculotherapy (auricule means ear) on the stress and sleep levels of the subjects, two groups of middle-aged women in Seoul, South Korea. Researchers divided the women into two groups.

One group received auricular acupressure therapy twice a week for two weeks. The placebo control group only had skin tape adhered to the points with no acupressure needles or stimulation. A stress scale, cortisol level blood tests and a sleep status scale were used to measure results. The findings revealed significant improvements in the physical and psychological stress, cortisol blood levels and sleep quality for the women that received acupressure as opposed to the control group that did not.

The study’s authors concluded that health care providers should consider providing auricular acupressure therapy as an alternative method for addressing stress and sleep disorders.

Ear seeds don’t involve needles; however, they operate on the same principles as traditional acupuncture. Instead of using needles to stimulate certain points on the ear, the seeds apply steady, gentle pressure throughout the day. To mimic the study’s effects, users can try ear seed kits designated for stress and insomnia that contain significant calming and soothing properties.”

Naturopathic Doctor Angela Serritella, owner of Beauty from Inside & Out, a full-service wellness and beauty center in Oradell, provides auriculotherapy treatments at 617 Oradell Ave., Ste. 3R, 2nd floor, Oradell. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 973-615-2486 or visi, CompleteWellnessWithin.com.