P-002 - Auricular Therapy: An Adjunctive Treatment for Pain Management

Abstract Title: Auricular Therapy: An Adjunctive Treatment for Pain Management

Background: Pain is a very common complaint and can quickly reduce the quality of life. In this day of opioid abuse and polypharmacy, providers on the frontline in primary care need alternatives that do not cause more side effects. Auricular Therapy has been utilized for thousands of years and in the past 15 years has become widely utilized with in the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration to reduce both acute and chronic pain in our service members. Auricular therapy is easy to learn, safe, effective and cost effective.

Purpose/Objectives: The objectives are as follows:
Overview of history and theory of Auricular Therapy
Literature review showing efficacy of Auricular Therapy
Show 5-point protocol for Battlefield Acupuncture
Show 5 -point protocol for National Acupuncture Detox Association
Case reviews demonstrating treatments and results using the protocols depicted.
Offer references and recommended readings.

Methods: The poster will review the history of auricular therapy and will briefly explain the theory of the auricular therapy (the ear is a microsystem representation of the human body). Stimulation of certain points on the auricle of the external ear are utilized to alleviate pain, substance withdrawal and other health conditions throughout the body,

Results: Both authors have utilized auricular acupuncture for years in their clinics. Several of the actual cases will be reviewed that highlight the efficacy of these protocols will be provided along with multiple research articles, which showed the efficacy of these simple protocols. Diagrams for both Battlefield Acupuncture and National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocols will be included.

Conclusions/Implications for future research and/or clinical care: Pain is a very common complaint and the need for alternatives treatments that do not cause harm or severe side effects is needed. This presentation highlights the ease of utilizing an auricular therapy protocol to reduce pain and/or help with substance abuse disorders. The protocols are easy to learn, mastering the techniques within a short period of time, easy to apply during an office visit and cost effective.

References: Yeh et al. Efficacy of auricular therapy for pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, 2014 1-4.
Taylor et al. The implementation and effectiveness of battlefield auricular acupuncture for pain. Pain Med. 2021 Aug 6;22(8) 1721-1726.