What is Ear Acupuncture (Auricular Therapy)?
Ear acupuncture, or auricular therapy, treats the whole body through points mapped on the outer ear. Sessions are short — 20–25 minutes after a 5 minute intake — which makes it a practical lunchtime visit, and ear seeds taped in place let the effect continue between appointments.
Clinic facts
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 23 Google reviews
- Experience
- 15+ years · 2 licensed L.Ac.
- First visit
- 75 minutes
- Follow-up
- 45–60 minutes
- Address
- 408 West 57th Street, Suite 1K, New York, NY 10019
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 9am–7pm · Sat 9am–5pm
- Phone
- (212) 265-2052 · text (347) 875-2805
- Languages
- English · 中文
Conditions We Treat
Ear acupuncture (auricular therapy) treats the ear as a micro-system — a small map of the entire body that responds to tiny, precisely placed needles. The system was modernized in the 1950s by French neurologist Dr. Paul Nogier, who mapped over 200 distinct points on the ear and correlated them to organs, structures, and functions throughout the body. At our Midtown Manhattan clinic on West 57th Street, we use auricular therapy both on its own and as an addition to body acupuncture, depending on what you're working on.
Two main systems guide our point selection. The NADA protocol (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) uses five fixed points — Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung — for stress, addiction recovery, and trauma support; it's been used in everything from substance-use clinics to disaster-relief sites for decades. The classical Chinese system maps points more anatomically and is what we draw on for organ-specific concerns like digestion, sleep, or chronic pain. Both Dr. Shang and Dr. Yu Qi trained in both systems, so we choose by what you actually need.
Auricular acupuncture in NYC is especially popular for things people want help with quietly and quickly — late-night anxiety before a big meeting, sugar cravings when stress eating creeps back in, the persistent insomnia that doesn't respond to melatonin. Sessions are short (20-25 minutes), the needles are tiny, and we can send you home with ear seeds or press-tacks that keep the work going for several days. Many patients add a 15-minute ear session onto a lunchtime body acupuncture visit; others come for ear acupuncture alone.
The needles themselves are barely visible — semi-permanent press-tacks sit flush with the skin, and ear seeds (small adhesive metal beads or vaccaria seeds) are nearly invisible. Patients regularly forget they're there. We use sterile single-use needles for every visit.
Inside the Treatment Room
Conditions We Treat
Anxiety, panic, and racing thoughts before stressful events
Insomnia and difficulty staying asleep
Smoking cessation and nicotine withdrawal
Alcohol and substance recovery support (NADA protocol)
Cravings — sugar, carbs, late-night eating
Weight management — appetite regulation
Chronic pain — back, neck, headaches, joint pain
Migraine and tension headache patterns
Digestive issues — IBS, reflux, nausea
Stress and trauma recovery — adjunct to therapy
Benefits
- · Over 200 acupuncture points on the ear, mapped to organs and systems
- · Calms the sympathetic nervous system — useful for acute anxiety
- · Reduces cravings via the Hunger point and Shen Men
- · Ear seeds or press-tacks extend the effect for 3-7 days at home
- · Short sessions — 20-25 minutes makes it a practical lunchtime add-on
- · Can be combined with body acupuncture in one visit
- · NADA five-point protocol used worldwide for addiction recovery
- · WHO-recognized treatment method
What to Expect
- 1
Brief intake (5 min)
We ask what you'd like to address — anxiety, sleep, cravings, pain — and check whether ear acupuncture suits the goal on its own, or works best alongside body acupuncture.
- 2
Point selection & needling (15 min)
You sit comfortably while we place tiny semi-permanent needles or ear seeds on chosen points such as Shen Men, Sympathetic, and the relevant organ point. Insertion is quick — most people feel a brief tap.
- 3
Ear seeds for home use
If we use ear seeds, you press them gently 2–3 times a day for several days. They fall off on their own. We schedule follow-up based on your response — most courses run 4–8 weekly visits.
Ear Acupuncture at a Glance
| What you want to know | Answer |
|---|---|
| Session length | 5 minute intake plus a 20–25 minute treatment — short enough to be a genuine lunchtime appointment. |
| As an add-on | Many patients add a 15-minute ear session onto a body acupuncture visit; others come for ear acupuncture alone. |
| Ear seeds | Small seeds taped to the points let you press them yourself for a few days after the visit. |
| What the evidence covers | NCCIH's acupuncture evidence is strongest for pain conditions — back, neck, knee osteoarthritis and headache. Ear points are used within that same framework. |
Why choose Delight for ear acupuncture
We use the NADA five-point protocol (Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung) for stress and addiction support, and combine it with classical Chinese ear-point mapping for pain or organ-specific concerns. Dr. Shang and Dr. Yu are both NY-licensed and trained in both systems, which lets us choose by goal rather than by school.
Sessions are short — usually 20–25 minutes — which makes ear acupuncture a practical add-on to a lunchtime body session, or a stand-alone visit for patients who want something targeted before a stressful week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to keep needles in my ears all week?
Sometimes. Press needles (small adhesive tacks) can stay on for 3–5 days; ear seeds for up to a week. They are barely visible and most people forget they are there.
Does ear acupuncture really help with quitting smoking?
It can reduce cravings and the irritability of quitting, but it is not a magic cure. It works best when paired with your own commitment — and often with a body acupuncture session at the same visit.
Can I get just ear acupuncture without the body needles?
Yes — ear-only sessions are available and shorter (about 25 minutes). For sleep, anxiety, or addiction support this is often enough. For pain we usually recommend at least one combined session first.
What does ear acupuncture feel like?
Most patients feel a brief tap or tiny pinch at insertion, then a slight warmth or tingling around the point. The needles are very fine and well-tolerated. If a particular point is unusually tender, that's often diagnostic — tender points correspond to areas the body is working on.
Does ear acupuncture work for anxiety?
It's one of the most common reasons people book ear acupuncture in NYC. The NADA five-point protocol — Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung — is widely used in trauma-informed mental health settings. Most patients feel a calming effect during the session itself, and with ear seeds between visits, it carries through the week. It pairs well with talk therapy or medication; it doesn't replace either when those are needed.
How long does it take ear seeds to fall off?
Usually 3-7 days. If they fall off sooner, you can come in for replacement or skip until the next scheduled visit. Press them gently 2-3 times a day, especially when you notice the symptom you're working on. We'll show you how at the first visit.
Is ear acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Most ear points are safe in pregnancy, though we avoid the uterus point. Ear acupuncture is actually commonly used in pregnancy for nausea, anxiety, sleep, and labor preparation. Tell us at intake if you're pregnant or might be, and we'll select points accordingly.
Research & references
Every clinical statement on this page traces back to one of these sources. They are U.S. federal health agencies and academic medical centers — not our own marketing.
NCCIH — Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety
Acupuncture has been in use for at least 2,500 years and, per WHO data, is practiced in 103 of 129 reporting countries. A pooled analysis of 20 studies (6,376 participants) found the benefit persisted for a year after treatment ended for every pain condition studied except neck pain.
NCCIH — Chronic Pain and Complementary Health Approaches
Among the approaches reviewed — acupuncture, yoga, relaxation, tai chi, massage and spinal manipulation — acupuncture was the only one with evidence that it could reduce a patient's need for opioids. The 2022 CDC opioid-prescribing guideline also lists acupuncture as appropriate for some types of chronic pain.
NCCIH — Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
Studies suggest acupuncture stimulates the release of the body's natural painkillers and affects brain areas involved in processing pain; results suggest it may help chronic low-back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Citations are summarized — please read the originals. This page is general health education, not medical advice for your specific case. Results vary, and acupuncture and Chinese medicine work best alongside, not instead of, care from your physician.
What Our Patients Say
5.0 · 23 Google reviews5.0 average across 23 verified Google reviews. Shown exactly as written.
★★★★★Amazing! After first acupuncture visit — major improvement. Added cupping and massage — results were immediate and I felt great relief from past pains. Thank you Dr. Shang.
★★★★★Highly recommended! Dr. Shang is a very skilled acupuncturist and I enjoy the treatment every time when I come here.
★★★★★Best acupuncture clinic in town! Dr. Shang is very professional and nice to everyone. I'm coming here regularly and feeling much better now!
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