Study Chinese - Ear massage A natural remedy

CITYLIFE / Hip & New






Ear massage A natural remedy

(Beijing today)
Updated: 2007-03-27 10:54


The ear, an oft-neglected body part, has a special place in the human
system. When you discover how effective ear massage is and how effective
it is for the body, you may be stunned: for many of life's discomforts,
ear massage provides a simple, non-invasive answer.


Mechanism

Within the ear's system is a collection of links that offer direct routes
to the central and peripheral nervous sstems, Yin Lin, a surgeon from
Beijing Biotinge Medical Spa, says. The auricle of the ear can be viewed
as a microsystem of pressure points connected to the entire body. For
example, if your shoulder aches, you can feel relief if the "shoulder
area" of the ear is pressed, similar to the microsystems thought to be on
the feet, face, legs and back.Clinically, doctors are interested in the
access to body systems offered by pressure points in the ear, Lin, says.
Stimulating the ear's pressure points is referred to as auriculotherapy.
It was discovered by the French in 1950, and then picked up and studied
by Chinese doctors.While auriculotherapy can be used to address a
countless array of health issues, treatments targeting pain relief and
addiction have demonstrated some of the most dramatic responses.

Pain relief

Studies conducted by Michael Smith, a physician who practices Oriental
Medicine in New York City, suggest that applying pressure to specific ear
locations can relieve body pain. Ear stimulation triggers the release of
the body's natural painkillers'endorphins - chemicals poduced in the
brain that reduce pain and lift the mood, Smith says.

By rubbing the ear, doctors can access nearly every part of the body's
anatomy. Ear massage also aids in adjusting hormone and neurotransmitter
levels in the body and brain. For many diseases with no known treatment,
the ear's pressure points may offer a way to effectively reduce symptoms
and increase the quality of life.

Addiction


Ear stimulation is utilized world-over to help reduce drug dependence and
assist in detoxification of addicts. A new attempt by St John's Mercy
Medical Center in Washington is using ear stimulation as a fast, safe and
painless way to quit smoking.The area of the ear accessed in addiction
treatment is the concha, Lin says. The two hollow areas of the outer ear
correspond to the autonomic nervous system via the vagus nerve, and
stimulating these areas can enhance relaxation and help to maintain
balance.

Useful resources

Learning more about anatomy and the map of the ear can help add a new
level of healing to basic ear massage.

1.Auriculotherapy Manual, 1998, Terry Oleson, PhD, Health Care
Alternatives

2. auriculotherapy.com

Dr Terry Oleson provides answers to plenty of FAQs readers may have.

3. emedicine.com

An online collection of free massage information.

Simple and inexpensive home remedies are grabbing more attention thanks
to their DIY novelty, lack of serious side effects and sometimes utter
absurdity. Beijing Today presents some weird remedies submitted by
numerous netizens to show how home remedies work, and how people use
crazy cures to stay fit and healthy.

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