In general, ear seeds are safe. Nonetheless, some individuals may experience irritation due to a sensitivity to the material utilized. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the treatment may induce vertigo or nausea if the improper acupuncture point is treated. *Image source: Unsplash/Pixelbay/Pexels Here is what your household should know about ear seeds. *Image source: everydayhealth.com What Exactly Are Ear Seeds? While these side effects aren’t very common, it’s best to avoid driving immediately after massaging your ear seeds until you know how your body reacts. Snyder, D.Ac., MSAc., LAc, founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture in Chicago, says, “Often when I’m going to a playdate, the other moms will ask, ‘Oh, can you bring the ear seeds so we can use them on all the kids?'” It is a simple and enjoyable approach for children to participate in their health, and it is successful.

That said, younger people should refrain from using ear seeds. “I don’t use ear seeds on small children because they can go into the ear canal if they dislodge them,” says Blakeway.Experts agree that ear seeds are safe to use for most adults. “I [personally] use this technique for adults of all ages for a variety of complaints,” says Blakeway. Kim agrees, saying anyone 18 years of age or older who has felt benefits from acupuncture before, or who wants to try a new approach to therapy, could consider ear seeding. According to Chinese medicine, the ear is a powerful microsystem of the body. Megan Scott, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist at the Cleveland Clinic’s center for integrative medicine, explains, “We use the ear to heal virtually every area of the body.” This covers the limbs, spinal area, organs, and other brain processes. *Image source: Pexels/Pixelbay/Unsplash What to Expect When Ear Seeds Are Planted Look for an ear seed diagram online and carefully assess the point at which you want the ear seed to be placed.'

Blakeway notes ear seeds are low risk because they're noninvasive. “Because they don’t break the skin, they are a very safe treatment,” Blakeway says. This means that the regular use of vaccaria seeds could not only help treat your chronic migraine naturally, it could also reduce chronic inflammation throughout your entire body! Mafetoni, R. R., et al. (2018). Effectiveness of auriculotherapy on anxiety during labor: A randomized clinical trial. Ear seeding is the process of placing tiny metallic beads [or actual seeds, ceramic beads, or magnetic beads] attached to a small piece of adhesive material, like tape, in strategic locations on the surface of the ear,” says Sue Kim, MD, a medical acupuncturist at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California.If you choose the at-home route, under the guidance of your licensed acupuncturist, Blakeway advises you to write in a journal, noting the benefits you experience, any adverse symptoms, and how you feel. “Keep a record of your symptoms so you can evaluate if this modality is working for you,” she says. https://www.naccho.org/uploads/card-images/public-health-preparedness/NM-Integrative-Wellness-MRC-Public-Health-Acupuncture-JITT.pdf There are more than 120 acupressure points in the ear,” Dr. Nguyen says. “The ears have a very close relationship with the nervous system, and some research shows that acupuncture or acupressure on the ear can stimulate the meridians.” (According to traditional Chinese medicine, 12 primary meridians carry energy throughout the body.) After you have first consulted with a licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Kim says applying them at home may be empowering for some. She says it’s a technique that the patient has control over and one that doesn’t necessarily require an appointment, once you’ve met with, and made a plan under the guidance of, a professional provider. Risks of At-Home Application of Ear Seeds

Located at the base of the antitragus wall is the Thalamus Point, best for targeting general pain. The Thalamus is your brain’s information relay station and is responsible for translating external events into internal experiences. Because it plays such a fundamental role in delivering messages to sensory organs, the Thalamus is the ideal starting point for targeting headaches. Christina Burns, an acupuncturist in private practice in New York City, says a professional can provide more efficient relief. “Having someone trained in this can help identify the best [pressure] point combinations,” she says. “They could also listen to your story and help assess where to focus.” What Does Ear Seeding Cost? Dr. Paul Nogier of France was the first individual to describe a technique very similar to reflexology, and he is considered the “Father of Modern Ear Acupuncture”.There’s not enough research to prove how well ear seeds work, but studies continue showing that they have a positive impact on insomnia and pain — and maybe on other conditions, too. Kim, when working with her patients, commonly first places one ear seed to the pressure point location called “shen men” — an area of the ear situated at the top of the triangular fossa (the concave upper part of the ear). Kim says this location is the easiest to access and can provide a sense of calm and stress relief.