If this is your first time reading about ear seeds, then chances are you're thinking that it's the latest discovery in health and wellness. However, these small seeds have actually been used throughout the millennia! Auriculotherapy is the practice of using small seeds in order to stimulate pressure points on the ear. And while this practice focuses on different pressure points rather than the ones used in acupuncture or acupressure, they all share the same basic principles. Here, we discuss how you can apply these tiny little metal or ceramic seeds into your daily life.
Why Do People Use Them?
Ear seeds have a ton of great benefits and help with a long list of conditions. The top reasons why people get ear seeds are for sleeping troubles, stress, and tension where they have proven to work wonders. However, they're also very effective for other conditions.
Another benefit of ear seeds that's worth mentioning is the cost. It only costs $20 to stock up on seeds that will last up to 4 to 6 weeks. On the other hand, an acupuncture practitioner can charge between $40 to $300 per session. With ear seeds, the benefits are continuous since you wear them for up to five days at a time with as little as one day between the application time. These are just some of the reasons why so many people are using them in-between their acupuncture treatments to further support the positive benefits it produces. Supplementing your health and wellness with ear seeds is an effective and affordable way to boost your results.
Using Ear Seeds for Better Sleep
Insomnia is one of the most commonly reported sleep-related problems in the country. About one in four womxn will have experienced trouble falling asleep, others staying asleep, or both. In general, one in seven adults has long-term insomnia. This condition can be viewed as a disturbance of the brain — usually overly stimulated by environmental factors, stress, medications, or other health problems. And while individuals have options to help with their insomnia, ear seeds are the only solution that works naturally with our bodies to promote healthy sleep.
To get back into a better sleeping pattern, clean the outside of your ear, and select 2-3 points on one side. Place the ear seeds on your selected points and press on them frequently, especially after meals and before sleeping (for about 5 minutes each time). The point of this practice is to stimulate the ear seeds, so if you feel pain or discomfort, reduce the pressure. Check your progress over the next few days. You can either use them more regularly if you have consistent restless sleep or you can use them as needed to reduce being up and awake at 3AM!
Using Ear Seeds for Lower Back Pain
Right behind arthritis, chronic back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the country and it's on the rise. More than 80% of all adults will experience some kind of back pain during their lifetime, and most of these cases are due to injuries such as sprains or strains from heavy lifting. Apart from injuries, medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other degenerative disorders of the spine can also cause lower back pain. Because of the deterioration of the discs that cushion our vertebrae, our risk of developing low back pain increases as we get older. We can call back pain "chronic" when the condition lasts for more than three months.
Initially, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter NSAIDs like Motrin or Tylenol for pain along with resting at home. If the pain persists, the doctor may prescribe more aggressive treatment in the form of prescription drugs or in serious cases, surgery. These drugs are often used to treat chronic back pain and include muscle relaxers, prescription-strength NSAIDs, steroid injections, and narcotics. Research shows that ear seeds provide effective relief to people who suffer from chronic lower back pain, while also improving their mobility. However, research doesn't show the degree of effectiveness on a person-to-person basis. This can be attributed to the difference in pain thresholds among individuals — a level of pain that may feel intolerable to one person might only be moderate to another.
Using Ear Seeds for Stress
Using ear seeds naturally promotes the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones. Applying ear seeds for stress and results in a relaxing and calming effect that reduces the levels of stress in our bodies.
Who Uses Ear Seeds?
Since the seeds don't involve needles, they can generally be used at home. And because they're virtually pain-free, anyone can benefit from ear seeds, including kids. There are some high-end spas that offer them and they also appear in advertisements on TV, newspapers, and magazines. Because they treat numerous conditions and provide real results, they've become a far-reaching solution for many Americans. Unlike many other products, most people are able to afford ear seeds and they don't have any risky side effects.
How to Apply Ear Seeds
You can go to a practitioner to get instructions on how to perform the correct placement for your condition, but using them at home is straightforward, safe, and simple. Simply follow the enclosed point chart and always follow the direction closely for the accurate and safe application of the seeds.
Clean and Dry the Outside of Your Ear
Your ear seeds should always go on the outside of your ear and never on the inside. The seeds come with pre-attached adhesives, so cleaning the skin before applying it to the skin. This helps the adhesive attach securely and cling to the skin longer.
Identify the Correct Point for Application
You can have a licensed health and wellness practitioner advise you the first time that you apply your ear seeds. Alternatively, you can check a point chart that's included in some of the kits to identify the correct points in your ear. It's best to get as close to the designated point as possible. Pay attention to the point shown in the chart as well as your health and wellness practitioner's instructions, so you can get a better idea about where the seeds should be applied. You can also apply more than one ear seed close together in areas where there is sensitivity.
Apply the Ear Seed to Your Ear
Carefully apply the seeds to the right points using tweezers, which should be included with the kits. Once the seed is in place, press it lightly to help it stick. Be careful not to make too many mistakes, otherwise, the adhesive might not work.
Massage the Ear Seeds
To massage your pressure points, apply gentle pressure to the seeds, and rub them in a circular motion for two to three minutes. Repeat two or three times daily or as needed.
Change As Needed
Ear seeds will often fall off on their own if not regularly changed after a few days. Even if they’re still intact after five days, you still need to change them. Every kind of ear seed is disposable, including those made from Swarovski crystals and you should never try to reuse them.
Remove Them
Tilt your head to the side and use tweezers or fingers to loosen them. Give your skin a rest for at least 1-2 days in-between applications.
Our starter kits come with 40 ear seeds, which is enough for 8-10 applications. With typical use, our starter kits will last 3-4 months. Keep in mind that while wearing the seeds, you should check your ears for any signs of irritation. If any area of your ear appears swollen, red, tender, or sore, remove the seeds immediately and give us a ring for further help!
