Ear acupuncture is used to treat a variety of physiological and psychological health problems by stimulating certain acupuncture points on the external ear.

Ear acupuncture is thought to be as old as traditional acupuncture (over 3,000 years old). However, the ear acupuncture used today was developed in the 1950s by French physician, Dr. Paul Nogier. Dr. Nogier researched ear acupuncture until his death in the late 1990s. His work is so well regarded that the Chinese refer to him as the Father of Modern Auricular Acupuncture.

There are over 100 acupuncture points on the external ear that when stimulated, influence different organs and systems in the body. The position of the points are approximately in the position of an upside down human, superimposed on the external ear, with the head located over the ear lobe.

It has been said that any disease that is physiologically reversible can be treated by acupuncture. Since ear acupuncture is an entire system in itself, it can be used alone or as an adjunctive therapy to traditional acupuncture.