Auricular Point Location

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

A little extract from my dissertation on auricular acupuncture.

 

" Without a standard auricular nomenclature, it is difficult to see how

studies use ear charts to determine correct point location. In auricular

studies, conclusions were made upon the findings derived from insertion of

needles into " points " . Confusion of names and locations of auricular points

has seriously hindered the development of auricular therapy (Suen et al.

2000, p133).

 

At the moment no auricular nomenclature exists. There are great differences

between the French and Chinese systems. At present only 39 auricular points

have been agreed upon (W.H.O. 1990; Oleson 1998). Some points have more than

one name and new points are constantly being added with new clinical

discoveries (Oleson 2003 personal communication). The Working Group of the

WHO decided to withdraw its earlier Auricular Acupuncture Chart because it

contained many points and should not be used for the purpose of further

reference to localization of auricular points, or be used in view of the

changes in the standardization of the anatomy of the areas of the ear

(W.H.O. 1990). There is a great need for standard terminology in the study

of auricular acupuncture. There should be a standard reference chart of the

ear that covers the following:

 

Correct anatomical illustrations of the ear.

An appropriate anatomical mapping of topographical areas, to be decided upon

in consultation with experts in anatomy and auricular acupuncture.

Illustrations of correct zones, in relation to auricular acupuncture and

research.

Actual delineation and localization of points, where possible (W.H.O. 1990,

p11).

 

I believe that an auricular expert will propose a standardisation of

auricular nomenclature and will present his proposal as a journal article

soon. "

 

Kind regards

 

Attilio

 

<Chinese Traditional Medicine>

Chinese Traditional Medicine

 

 

[zrosenbe]

10 May 2004 18:56

Chinese Medicine

Re: Re: Point Location

 

 

I think there are a lot of problems with the Chinese ear acupuncture

system and charts. As you've noted, the Chinese basically modified the

Nogier chart and system, which was based on a consistent embryological

view with the ear as a homonculus of the fetus in terms of anatomical

locations in the fetus of vital organs and structures. The Chinese

system was developed quickly, and by committee in a hurried manner.

 

The Nogier system was clearly a product of biomedicine with a good dose

of French terrain-based medicine. While it used needles originally to

puncture the ear, it was not Chinese-based theoretically at all.

 

The Chinese added points for triple burner, and superimposed Chinese

medical concepts on functions of kidney, liver and other zang-fu to

this.

 

I think this is an uneasy melding of two approaches to the human mind

and body, the Chinese and Western,

 

 

On May 10, 2004, at 9:07 AM, briansbeard wrote:

 

> I think

> an interesting thing to do is to sit down and compare nogier's ear

> chart with the ear chart that has been developed in china. From what

> I understand, china derived it's ear chart based on nogier's work.

> But while the two are mostly the same, they still have differences.

> And how they choose which side of the ear to treat is different.

> Which is right? They're probably both right some, but not all the

> time. That's when using a body feedback system can break the tie.

> Nogier used the pulse blip to verify ear points.

>