Auriculotherapy is a reflex therapy based on the ear somatotopy (inverted fetus) which defines the links between the pinna of the ear and the central nervous system via the brain stem.
Auriculotherapy was developed by Doctor Paul Nogier in Lyon in the 1950s, firstly in France and then in other countries. The primary approach of auriculotherapy is based on somatotopics which defines the links between the pinna of the ear and the central nervous system via the brain stem.
The ear contains «Neuro-Vascular Complexes» (NVC), stimulation of which has extremely complex effects which are not only neurological but also neurosecretory and even neuroimmune and neurovascular.
Unlike what is usually believed or thought, auriculotherapy does not derive from acupuncture as it is not based on the concept of energy which is so important in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, an acupuncture point exists permanently, whereas in auriculotherapy the point is only detectable when underlying symptomatic disease is present (except for Master points).