Auricular Diagnosis and Therapy has a long and rich history in China. Its earliest roots can be traced back to the silk manuscripts Moxibustion Classic of the Eleven Foot-Arm Vessels (Zu Bi Shi Yi Mai Jiu Jing) and Moxibustion Classic of the Eleven Yin-Yang Vessels (Yin Yang Shi Yi Mai Jiu Jing), unearthed in 1973 from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tomb No. 3 in Changsha, Hunan Province. These texts mention an “ear vessel” (er mai) connecting to the upper limbs, eyes, cheeks, and throat. Subsequently, the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (Huang Di Nei Jing) further developed this “ear vessel” into the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) meridian and detailed the physiological and pathological relationships between the ear and the meridians, internal organs, and various parts of the human body.
In the late Qing Dynasty, physician Zhang Zhenjun, collaborating with his cousin Zhang Dishan, inherited the academic thoughts of Ming Dynasty physician Zhou Yuefu. They revised and expanded upon his work to compile the Revised Essentials of Massage (Li Zheng An Mo Yao Shu). This text was the first to propose the theory that the back of the ear corresponds to the five Zang organs, and included an illustration of the ear back, significantly enriching auricular point theory.
Acupuncture was introduced to France in the 17th century. Building on this, French medical doctor and surgeon Dr. Paul Nogier, using the pressure-pain method, proposed that the distribution of auricular points resembles an inverted fetus – the “auricular somatotopy” – laying the foundation for the theory of “auricular holography.”
Auricular points are specific locations on the auricle that reflect the physiological functions and pathological changes of the body. They communicate with the body’s Zang-Fu organs, meridians, tissues, organs, limbs, and skeleton. Clinically, observing various positive reactions in auricular zones (such as discoloration, deformation, desquamation, papules, tenderness sensitivity, etc.) can assist in diagnosing and treating diseases, making auricular therapy widely applicable.
Auricular therapy employs methods like needling, seed embedding, injection, cutting therapy, or medicinal plaster application to stimulate corresponding points on the auricle. This stimulation aims to regulate the entire body and prevent disease. The author studied under Chief Physician Wei Dan from Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who excels in using auricular seed embedding to treat various pain syndromes and regulate internal diseases. Inspired by this, the author successfully treated a case of bilateral foot numbness using auricular bloodletting, as detailed below.
Case Report:
Patient: Chen, Male, 64 years old.
Date of First Visit: March 13, 2024.
Chief Complaint: Low back pain with bilateral lower limb numbness for 5 years, aggravated for 1 week.
Present History: The patient developed low back pain with bilateral lower limb numbness 5 years ago following overexertion. Symptoms worsened with fatigue. The area of numbness in the lower limbs gradually expanded over the years, particularly affecting the feet. A previous lumbar CT scan at another hospital showed lumbar disc herniation. He received intermittent acupuncture treatment. One week ago, low back pain and bilateral lower limb numbness significantly worsened after exertion, particularly at night. Bilateral foot numbness affected daily activities and sleep. Prolonged walking caused weakness in both lower limbs. No fever, urinary frequency, or urgency. Normal appetite. Poor sleep. Loose stools. Frequent urination.
Tongue and Pulse: Dusky tongue body, thin coating; wiry pulse.
Past History: Chronic gastritis, chronic colitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Diagnosis: Lumbar Impediment Disease (Yao Bi Bing) (Qi Deficiency with Blood Stasis).
Treatment Principle: Invigorate blood and resolve stasis, unblock collaterals and relieve pain.
Treatment: Acupuncture.
Points Selected: Yaotongdian (EX-UE 7), Shenshu (BL 23, bilateral), Dachangshu (BL 25, bilateral), Qihaishu (BL 24, bilateral), Mingmen (GV 4), Huantiao (GB 30, bilateral), Yanglingquan (GB 34, bilateral), Weizhong (BL 40, bilateral), Chengshan (BL 57, bilateral), Xuanzhong (GB 39, bilateral), Sanyinjiao (SP 6, bilateral).
Manipulation: Reinforcing method at Shenshu (BL 23) and Qihaishu (BL 24). Reducing method at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40). Even supplementation and drainage at the remaining points.
After 5 acupuncture treatments: The patient reported significant relief of low back distending pain and regained free movement. However, bilateral foot numbness persisted without improvement. He felt decreased sensation in his feet, impacting sleep and daily life.
Examination: Examination of the left auricle revealed dark red vascular distension in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae, Ankle, Heel, and Toe zones.
Adjusted Treatment Plan: Continued acupuncture treatment as above, supplemented with auricular bloodletting.
Auricular Bloodletting Procedure:
- Patient seated. Physician first observes the auricular skin condition and positive reaction points.
- Disinfect the auricle with a cotton swab dipped in 75% alcohol.
- Stabilize the auricle with one hand. Using the other hand, hold a three-edged needle and swiftly prick the distended vessels in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae, Ankle, Heel, and Toe zones.
- Depth of insertion: ~1.5mm.
- Allow 3-5 drops of blood to be released.
- After the procedure, apply pressure with a sterile dry cotton swab to stop bleeding.
- Instruct the patient to keep the puncture sites dry and maintain a bland diet.
Outcome: The patient reported reduced foot numbness and improved sleep on the same day. Treatment continued with acupuncture combined with auricular bloodletting. Auricular bloodletting was performed alternately on both ears, with a 2-day interval between sessions on the same ear.
After 10 acupuncture sessions and 3 auricular bloodletting sessions: The patient reported that low back and bilateral lower limb distending pain were basically resolved. The area of numbness on the soles of the feet significantly decreased, and the duration of numbness shortened considerably. Numbness persisted only in the bilateral toe areas.
Case Analysis:
Foot numbness is not an acute condition. This elderly patient inherently suffers from deficiency of Liver and Kidney Qi and Blood. Coupled with long-standing low back pain causing local Qi and Blood stasis and obstruction, this gradually affected the foot meridians. This further impeded the already deficient Qi and Blood flow, creating a vicious cycle of blockage and malnourishment, resulting in this condition. Conventional acupuncture alleviated the low back distending pain but not the foot numbness.
Chronic diseases enter the collaterals (luo mai). The collaterals connect the exterior and interior, and the Zang-Fu organs. According to holographic theory, the ear represents an inverted miniature of the fetus, reflecting the body’s Zang-Fu organs, tissues, and limbs. Therefore, auricular bloodletting was considered to achieve the goal of unblocking meridians and collaterals, and dredging Qi and Blood to the feet.
- Auricular Lumbosacral Vertebrae Point (located in antitragic rim area 9): Commonly used for treating lumbosacral disorders and lower limb issues caused by them.
- Auricular Ankle Point (located in antitragic rim area 3): Treats ankle joint disorders.
- Auricular Toe Point (located in antitragic rim area 2): Used for toe joint inflammation, pain, itching, etc., from various causes.
- Auricular Heel Point (located in antitragic rim area 1): Treats heel disorders.
The Auricular Lumbosacral Vertebrae, Ankle, Heel, and Toe points collectively relax sinews, activate collaterals, invigorate blood, and relieve pain. Combined with body acupuncture, they achieve the goal of treating both the root (ben) and the branch (biao). (Xu Lei, Yangshi Subdistrict Health Center, Qianjiang City, Hubei Province)
(Note: Formulas and treatment methods described in the text should be used under the guidance of a physician.)