New Universal Nomenclature in Auriculotherapy

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Anatomy

Background:

• Auriculotherapy, or ear acupuncture, has evolved significantly since the 1950s.
• Existing nomenclatures struggle to accommodate the growing number of therapeutic ear zones.
• The need for a unified system is critical for consistent practice and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a New Universal Nomenclature of Auriculotherapy.
• To create a system adaptable to all ear acupuncture point (AAP) mappings.
• To establish a standardized framework for auriculotherapy practice and research.

Main Methods:

• Electronic database searches for existing Auricular Acupuncture Point (AAP) formulations.
• Analysis of neuroradiology methods for reproducible anatomical landmarks.
• Study of brain dissections to understand neurophysiological correlations between ear and brain.
• Development of a biomathematical model based on brain anatomy.

Main Results:

• A Universal Nomenclature of Auriculotherapy was proposed, featuring a biomathematical model of brain organization.
• The nomenclature includes 189 areas on the lateral ear and 89 areas on the medial ear.
• Accurate Cartesian Marks are provided, capable of accommodating any mapping.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Universal Auriculotherapy Nomenclature was approved by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies in 2011.
• This standardized nomenclature facilitates auriculotherapy practice, education, and research globally.
• It provides a common tool for approximately 57 countries and 195 Acupuncture Societies, promoting scientific advancement.