Ears sowing, more 2000-year practice of adhesion of seeds from Vaccaria Put on certain points inside and out of the ears. Today, most practitioners use tiny metal balls attached to glue stickers. The treatment of Chinese medicine, formally known as the ear acupressure, is an acupuncture without needles: plus, given that people can undergo treatment at home. This is based on Meridian (or channel) system in the body It's like an energetic highway. Some cultures believe that vital life force currently in these channels, known as qi (pronounced “Chi”), is responsible for the functioning of your emotional and physical well -being.
Although you can reject this as another trend in recreation, many studies show that sowing the ears can Reduce the intensity of painimprove daily functioning and reduce the use of painkillers, such as opioids among people with various conditions, such as CancerIN The knee is osteoarthritisIN anxietyIN insomniaIN nauseaIN constipationIN Chronic headachesIN Brain injuriesAnd yet.
It was found that acupuncture in the ear (which focuses at the same moments as acupressure) Changes in brain activityProviding evidence of the “somatotopic connection of the body and brain”, in accordance with at least two small studies in which functional magnetically resonance tomography was used.
From the point of view of Western medicine, these brain changes can change how your central nervous system processes pain and stimulates the release of your natural painkillers. This thinking is based on The theory of gate controlIt states that acupressure at certain points sends “pleasant impulses to the brain at a speed four times faster than painful stimuli.”
As a health reporter, I began my own journey through the ear with huge skepticism. Therefore, when I delved into the study, I was surprised to find several red flags and some positive results. While most studies on the ear acupressure are randomized controlled clinical trials – the “gold standard” of research – they include small sample size. Nevertheless, they include control groups that have passed “fictitious” treatment methods and exclude people undergoing other treatment methods to determine the true effect of the sowing of the ear on pain relief.
Nevertheless, the data on the mechanisms and advantages of treatment is still limited, according to Gudrun Snyder, who has a doctoral degree in acupuncture and owns. Lunar rabbitThe Chicago clinic, which offers treatment of oriental medicine and sells sets for ear seeds. According to Snyder, fewer studies were conducted on the crops of ears from the indecision of Western medicine in order to completely welcome it, and many studies that exist yet have to be translated into English.
Social networks can change this. The hashtag #earseeds has 130 million views on Tiktok, where people document their appointments Getting seeds placed by professionals and records himself Holding them at homeField
“Acupuncture and acupressure are becoming more and more widely accepted, and finally, more studies are being conducted to show confidence in our medicine,” said Snyder. “Only now, from social networks, people come to my practice, ask for ears seeds and want to find out about scientific advantages.”
I asked Dr. Ellen Rosenquist, a doctor specializing in the management of pain in the clinic of Cleveland, for her opinion about her ear crops. She said that she would recommend this for most pain states.
“Since the whole body is represented on the ear, almost any pain in pain can probably be treated using the ear acupuncture,” Rosenquist wrote in an email. “Ear sowing is equally effective as a traditional acupuncture and may be the best option in some situations.”
Rosenquist added that this kind of treatment, depending on the state involved, follows “absolutely” to be considered more invasive treatment methods or those that have more side effects.
How the treatment of the ear went to back pain.
I dealt with the injury of the lower back since December, which prevented me from sitting for too long, engaged in my full capabilities, and even sometimes loading a dishwasher without an energetic boring, pain.
They gave me a set of ear seeds to try, but they, as a rule, cost about $ 45 per set, which includes about 40 seeds and a couple of tweezers. Before my first round of treatment, I studied Ear seeds map To find out where to put them, then cleaned the ears with alcohol. I used tweezers to place one seed on a pressure point that correlates with the lower back on both ears, as well as points for stress and focus, a total of six seeds. (Stimulation of one point will not cancel the effects of another, even if they are close to each other.) Then I put pressure on each seed with my fingers for about 30 seconds.
Within five minutes, my ear seeds, designed for lower back pain, became extremely sensitive, similar to a feeling of fresh piercing. Each time I accidentally touched one, adapting my hair or changing clothes, the pain was … bad, which meant that sleeping and wearing headphones were really uncomfortable.
I pushed the discomfort for another two days until I had to remove them. My ears were too sensitive; Even a smile will hurt. Other spots on my ears were gentle, but controlled. And, to my surprise, the seeds never lost their stickiness, even after washing my hair, exercises and sleeping on them.
Snyder said that everything was normal in my experience, and the true sign that my back was to some extent injured. “The moments that we need most will be the most uncomfortable, and sometimes we will deteriorate before we recover in our healing travels,” she said.
In the 2013 study, a research group from the University of Pittsburgh checked four -week treatment of an ear for 19 people (10 in an experimental group and 9 in a fictitious group) with chronic lower back pain. It was established that those who received therapy had Reducing by 70% in the worst intensity of pain and a decrease in the total intensity of pain by 75%. These advantages lasted when they returned to a monthly continuation. On the contrary, people in a fictitious group had an 18% worst pain and an improvement in the total severity of pain by 29%. Participants of both groups reported the sensitivity and soreness of the ears, as well as itching and sleep problems; Nevertheless, they said that discomfort was tolerant compared to back pain.
Honestly, it was difficult to say whether the ears really helped, I also pass the treatment with acupuncture and physiotherapy twice a week each, as well as the daily stretching of the whole body. Nevertheless, I believe that the seeds may have helped reduce the soreness and fatigue that I usually feel after acupuncture and physiotherapy, despite the fact that I did not notice immediate relief of the pain when I attached them. As for my stress and concentration, I did not feel too much difference, although I usually have no serious problems with this.
Ear seeds are technically accessible, which means that they are best used in combination with other treatment methods. Nevertheless, Snyder said that they can still offer advantages when used alone: “Ear seeds are a slight touch,” she said. “If you have chronic pain or difficulties to sleep for many years and years, maybe the seeds of your ears will help, but I would recommend looking for other treatment methods, because they are not going to treat what really shone deeply.”
After a two -day break, I used new seeds to the same places. Almost instantly, painful sensitivity on both ears appeared, but I felt better to cope with it. I have been wearing them for four days, and the pain of the cone over time (although the dream remains awkward). I still have not noticed any changes in the lower back pain, but perhaps I need more time with seeds.
Some studies show that people may experience relief of pain for one or two minutes From the use of ear seeds, but Snyder said that some people may need two weeks or more to feel the difference. “Use them as much or little as it is convenient. You can take a break to avoid excessive stimulation, but all are different, ”she said.
Ear seeds, for the most part, are easy to use, and adverse reactions are rare. Their use will not cause injury incorrectly, and in the worst case, people can experience an allergic reaction to glue or metal in seed. In addition, almost everyone can use them.
But there are always exceptions.
For example, I applied additional seeds to random spots on my ear to be cute (some seeds are supplied with Swarovski crystals from above so that they look like earrings). Soon after, I began to feel periodic convulsions; I was not menstruation or ovulation, and cramps are not a common symptom for me in any case. I do not immediately blame the seeds until late at night, when the convulsions intensified. Out of curiosity, I checked what point I put these seeds on – it was for the uterus. Therefore, I took off the seeds, and after five minutes the convulsions left and did not return.
Snyder said that the placement of ear seeds in random points can cause “unintentional side effects. However, the probability of such a strong reaction is extremely low. The low level of the stimulus used to the ear can usually cause only a low -level reaction. ”
Or could I imagine it? Many people suggest that the advantages associated with traditional Chinese medicine are based on the placebo effect. When I asked my doctor about his opinion on acupuncture, he said that any relief of the pain that I could experience will most likely be “in [my] Head. “(In fact, acupuncture was still the only treatment that offered me enough relief to perform daily tasks without pain.) Not all doctors agree.
Even if this is so, said Snyder, this will not hurt to try, especially considering how expensive medical care became. “If this is a low cost, then what you like, and almost has no side effects, why not do this if it improves your pain? (Although Snyder does not believe that the placebo effect is also in the game.)
According to Snyder, the word “placebo” was used for a much more negative connotation, but Western medicine becomes more friendly to this concept. The placebo effect is currently recognized as a powerful appeal on his own, which indicates the importance of the connection of the mind and body.
As a scientific person with moderate Health anxietyI am always ready to try less invasive treatment methods before more invasive drugs and injections that may have unintentional side effects. (My doctor wanted me to get a steroid shot in my spine, which, as proved, ensures pain relief, but not thanks!) To any treatment, rarely offers immediate pain relief, so my anti -climatic experience with ear seeds will not necessarily prevent me from trying treatment again for longer periods of time.
In the event that you want to try them to relieve pain or for any other reason, these are a few tips on sowing ears:
- When applying seeds, it was difficult to see, so I recommend that another person leave them for proper placement. You can also ask a professional to apply them.
- Remember that you get what you pay for, said Snyder. Ear seeds that seem cheaper than the rest can have weaker glue or fake metal that can irritate your skin.
- Try your ears sowing for at least a month to determine if they help you. Take any necessary breaks between each processing session if the pressure points are too set.
