Traditonal auriculotherapy is a form of acupuncture that treats health problems by stimulating pressure points on the ear with needles or electrical currents. 2006 clinical research at Turkey's Selcuk University indicates it may be effective as a weight-loss technique.
The term auriculotherapy, however, has also been applied to the practice of ear stapling. Proponents of the technique claim that having your ears stapled for up to three months will constantly stimulate your appetite-controlling pressure points. You'll eat less and lose weight naturally.
Getting Traditional Auriculotherapy
To find a traditional auriculotherapy practitioner near you use the directory at the Auriculotherapy Certification Institute. Although The U.S. National Institute of Health approved auriculotherapy as a mainstream medical practice in 1997, you're more likely to find a chiropractor or acupuncturist to treat you than an M.D.
Getting Ear Staples
Having your ears stapled is a surgical procedure. Don't undergo auriculotherapy without first discussing the risks with your doctor. If possible, arrange to get the procedure from a medical doctor or chiropractor trained in acupuncture.
If that's not an option, says the University of Alabama Birmingham Health System, talk to several auriculotherapists about their references, experience, and sanitation practices before choosing one. Ask to see their sanitation equipment.
All auriculotherapists should use surgical-grade sterile staples, sterilize both their equipment and work area in between patients, and wear fresh sterile gloves during a procedure. Only by seeing for yourself the conditions under which you'll get your procedure can you minimize your risk of infection.
The procedure itself is similar to having your ears pierced, except that the staples will go inside your upper ear. The University of Missouri Extension reports that a specific commercial auriculotherapy company charges $75 to staple one ear.
After Ear Stapling
The staples will remain in your ears for up to three months. After that, ear staplers say, your body will be desensitized to them. They'll have to be moved to new pressure points if you want to keep using them. That will cost another $50 to $100 for each ear, and will expose you to more risk.
Keeping your ears clean while they're stapled is essential. Disinfect them twice daily with hydrogen peroxide. Avoid touching your staples when cleaning your ears. Disturbing them could cause an infection or irritate your cartilage. Deformed cartilage is a real possibility with ear stapling.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic's registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky says there's no research supporting the effectiveness of ear stapling for weight loss. If you're serious about dropping some pounds, Zeratsky suggests discussing a weight-loss plan with your doctor.
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