Benefits

• Dr. P.F.M. Nogier of France developed auricular therapy. The benefits of acupuncture for weight loss may be attributed to a balancing effect. The hormones of the body that control the metabolism may be balanced out to increase the ability of the body to lose weight. The circulatory system may be improved to allow the body to flush waste and fat in a more efficient manner. All of the body's system may be put into great metabolic balance to aid in weight loss and general health improvement.
  
  

How Auricular Therapy is Performed

• Auricular therapy is essentially acupuncture of the ear. According to Dr. Jim Chalmers, auricular therapy is much more. It is based deeply in Chinese medicine. Part of therapy is identifying if the right and left hemispheres of the brain are working in unison. If they are not, acupuncture needles are placed in energy lines called meridians in different places in the ear. Once the hemispheres are balanced, weight loss can truly occur. Chalmers claims that most of the time weight loss attempts fail because of this imbalance and miscommunication in the brain.
  
  

Complementary Modality

• When a person uses a complementary modality like auricular therapy for weight loss, it may be beneficial to adopt additional measures. A healthy diet and a regular exercise program may increase weight loss potential. Frank and Soliman, MDs also acknowledge that most diet plans do not have long-term success rates, but when paired with auricular therapy they have noticed an increased success rate.
  
  

Finding a Therapist

• The best way to find a therapist who can perform auricular therapy is to start with your local acupuncture providers. Additionally many doctors who provide alternative medical procedures and modalities may offer it as well. A naturopathic doctor (ND) may also be able to perform this technique or refer you to another practitioner who can.
  
  

Contraindications

• Pregnant women and those patients with pacemakers should not seek auricular therapy. The function of a pacemaker may be interrupted by low level electrical devices used in some forms of this therapy. This due to electrical stimulation that is done through the needles. In addition, most practitioners will not perform the therapy on injured ears to avoid further distress.