The Benefits of Ear Massage

[Guest guest]

May 26, 2006

 

Often a neglected part of the body, the ears hold a special place in

bodywork. Discover why clients love their ears rubbed during a session,

what ear massage is particularly effective for and how to use the ears

to increase a session’s effectiveness.

The Benefits of Ear Massage

 

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

 

Auriculotherapy is reflexology of the ear. The auricle of the ear (the

external, protruding portion), can be viewed as a microsystem

representing the entire body. Microsystems are valuable in many

disciplines, including neuroanatomy, foot and hand reflexology, face and

scalp acupuncture, and iridology.

 

The first defined microsystem is a figurative representation of the

human body mapped in the brain’s cortex. Called somatosensory mapping, a

distorted human figure reflects the corresponding body parts in the

sensory and motor cortex. Also known as the cortical homunculus, this

figure has disproportionately large lips, hands, feet and genitals,

reflecting the larger cortical area allocated for the innervation of

these body parts.

 

Similar to the cortical homunculus, the ear has been mapped in detail to

reflect associated areas with the entire human body. Due to its high

level of accessibility, this auricular microsystem can be used to treat

health conditions affecting all parts of the body. Stimulating points on

the ear can alleviate problems associated with nearby regions of the

face and head as well as relieve pathological disorders in the chest,

abdomen, lower back, and feet. According to microsystem theory, there

are no direct connections between the ear and specific distal body

parts. Rather, nerves from the ear connect to reflex centers in the

brain that send neurological reflex pathways to the spinal cord, which

in turn, sends them on to the neurons reaching distal body parts.

 

While ear massage can be used to address a countless array of health

issues, musculoskeletal pain and addiction have demonstrated some of the

most dramatic responses to auriculotherapy.

 

Pain

Regardless of the mechanism, applying pressure to the ear in specific

locations has been found to relieve distal body pain. Ear massage

triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins.

Studies have demonstrated that ear stimulation increases levels of

endorphins in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

 

Ear massage also aids in breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Most

chronic pain is due to the constriction of connective tissue surrounding

muscles in spasm. [fascia]

 

Muscles remain in spasm when the brain instructs motor neurons to

initiate and sustain their contraction. The stimulation of ear reflex

points connected to the brain can reset the brain’s electrical prompts,

stopping unwanted activation of spinal reflexes. According to Oleson,

“Pain sensations that are due to irritated nerves can be relieved by the

normalizing of pathological, hypersensitive reflex pathways that

interconnect the ear microsystem and the somatotopic brain.”

 

Consult an auriculotherapy map to locate the correct reflex area to

address a specific painful body part. Identification of a tender area on

the ear typically corresponds with the most beneficial point to relieve

the distally located pain.

 

Addiction

Auriculotherapy is used throughout the world to reduce substance

cravings and assist in the detoxification of addictive substances.

Explanations for the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in facilitating

drug independence derive from both a Western neurological

conceptualization and a Traditional Oriental Medicine perspective. The

first evidence of auriculotherapy’s in reducing substance cravings of

drug addicts came from Dr. Wen of Hong Kong in the 1970s, and was

expanded upon by Dr. Michel Smith, a physician who practices Oriental

Medicine in New York City.

 

A Western neurological basis for using auriculotherapy as part of drug

detoxification focuses on the area of the ear primarily used in

addiction treatment, the concha. The two concave or hollow areas of the

outer ear, the concha correspond to the autonomic nervous system via the

vagus nerve and the brain’s hypothalamus. Influencing these nervous

system components enhances relaxation and maintains balance.

Auriculotherapy’s release of endorphins has the additional benefit of

improving mood without the aid of the addicted substance.

 

Traditionally, five points are stimulated on the outer ear to aid the

addiction recovery process. Possession of an illustrated ear map will

facilitate locating each of the five points: Sympathetic, Shen Men,

Heart, Liver and Lung.

 

Don’t skip the ears

While the majority of research has focused on ear acupuncture,

auriculotherapy works with any type of ear stimulation. Many massage

therapists include a general, feel-good ear rub at the conclusion of a

session. However, learning the anatomy and body map of the ear can add a

new level of healing to a massage. Since the ears provide direct access

to the central and peripheral nervous systems, spending some time to

focus on specific ear locations will benefit your client by amplifying

the bodywork performed.

 

 

References:

 

Netter, MD, Frank H., Atlas of Human Anatomy, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, 1989.

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

www.auriculotherapy.com, FAQs, Terry Oleson, PhD, 2006.

www.brainconnection.com, Motor Humunculus, Scientific Learning, 2006.

www.emedicine.com, Massage, Traction, and Manipulation, J Michael

Wieting, DO, MEd, 7/18/05.

 

© 2006 Natural Wellness®

 

http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2006/05/why_include_ear.html?e\

ml=MPU23

[Guest guest]

>Similar to the cortical homunculus, the ear has been mapped in detail to

>reflect associated areas with the entire human body. Due to its high

>level of accessibility, this auricular microsystem can be used to treat

>health conditions affecting all parts of the body. Stimulating points on

>the ear can alleviate problems associated with nearby regions of the

>face and head as well as relieve pathological disorders in the chest,

>abdomen, lower back, and feet. According to microsystem theory, there

>are no direct connections between the ear and specific distal body

>parts. Rather, nerves from the ear connect to reflex centers in the

>brain that send neurological reflex pathways to the spinal cord, which

>in turn, sends them on to the neurons reaching distal body parts.

 

Well, if you use that explanation - every body part is connected to

every other body part as the nerves run to the brain from one body

part then through the brain to other body parts.

 

In that case, rubbing any body part should have the same effect.

 

Is this the case - and if not, why not?

 

>Pain

>Regardless of the mechanism, applying pressure to the ear in specific

>locations has been found to relieve distal body pain. Ear massage

>triggers the release of the body's natural painkillers, endorphins.

>Studies have demonstrated that ear stimulation increases levels of

>endorphins in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

>

>Ear massage also aids in breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Most

>chronic pain is due to the constriction of connective tissue surrounding

>muscles in spasm. [fascia]

>

>Muscles remain in spasm when the brain instructs motor neurons to

>initiate and sustain their contraction. The stimulation of ear reflex

>points connected to the brain can reset the brain's electrical prompts,

>stopping unwanted activation of spinal reflexes. According to Oleson,

> " Pain sensations that are due to irritated nerves can be relieved by the

>normalizing of pathological, hypersensitive reflex pathways that

>interconnect the ear microsystem and the somatotopic brain. "

 

As a chronic pain sufferer - I have tried everything - and I gave

this a go - to no avail.

 

I stopped trying it when I could not find one clinical trial or study

to confirm it's efficacy.

 

>Consult an auriculotherapy map to locate the correct reflex area to

>address a specific painful body part. Identification of a tender area on

>the ear typically corresponds with the most beneficial point to relieve

>the distally located pain.

 

I've seen a number of these auriculotherapy maps and they are not all

the same - locating different points for different body parts.

 

How can this be so - either a point is connected or it isn't one would think.