Ear acupuncture: What to know about the treatment for stress and anxiety, and can you try it in Manila?

If current events is adding stress to your everyday life, seeking complementary wellness approaches like meditation and yoga is almost expected.

Enter AcuDetox—an ear acupuncture treatment that aims to support relaxation. Also known as the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Protocol, AcuDetox is slowly gaining traction in Manila for helping relax the nervous system, reduce stress, and support emotional balance.

Originally developed in the United States in the 1970s by physician Dr. Michael Smith, the method has since been used worldwide in addiction recovery programs, disaster response initiatives, and wellness settings.

Certified Ear Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist Patricia Paredes described the treatment as a simpler and more accessible form of acupuncture.

In traditional Chinese medicine, certain acupuncture points are connected to different organs and emotional states.

AcuDetox “is specifically for the ear because the ear is like the hands and feet—every point corresponds to a certain organ,” Parades told GMA News Online. “It’s different from body acupuncture in a sense that it'’s a smaller area and it's really specific for helping anxiety. There are only five points.”

How AcuDetox works

Through AcuDetox, thin needles are placed in five designated points in each ear and are typically left in place for around 30 to 45 minutes while the patient rests quietly.

The five points used in the NADA protocol are:

• Sympathetic Point - helps calm the nervous system and promote relaxation
• Shen Men or “Spirit Gate” - associated with easing anxiety and nervousness
• Kidney Point - linked to calming fear and supporting internal healing
• Liver Point - associated with detoxification and emotional regulation
• Lung Point - connected to grief release and emotional processing

Paredes said the treatment was originally developed to support people recovering from addiction, though it has since been used in broader wellness and community settings.

“This kind of detox is really offered not only for addiction but also sometimes in grief-stricken areas or areas where there was calamity,” she said, recalling how NADA volunteers provided sessions in communities affected by disasters such as Typhoon Yolanda.

The practice influences parts of the brain associated with stress responses and emotional regulation and also encourages the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, chemicals associated with mood and relaxation.

However, Paredes stressed that AcuDetox is best viewed as a complementary wellness practice rather than a cure.

“It’s not like, ‘You do acupuncture so your cancer will go away.’ No naman,” she said. “But it hopes to restore balance and help overall well-being.”

While the treatment may help support relaxation and emotional regulation, it should not replace prescribed medication, therapy, or professional mental health treatment.

Common reasons people try AcuDetox

People seek AcuDetox for different reasons, including:

• Stress and overwhelm
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Brain fog
• Emotional exhaustion
• Smoking or alcohol cravings
• General self-care and relaxation

According to Paredes, modern stress can continuously keep the body in a “fight or flight” state.

“There’s always another email, another message, another problem. The stress levels don’t really go down," she said, explaining that many wellness practices, including acupuncture and meditation, aim to help the body relax so people can think clearly, sleep better, and respond to stress more calmly.

What AcuDetox session feels like

For first-timers, fear of needles is often the biggest concern. But according to Paredes, the needles used in ear acupuncture are extremely small.

“It’s like a hair,” she said. “Initially, when it goes in, you feel it a little, but once it’s in already, it does its thing.”

In this writer’s experience, the treatment was largely painless. The needles created a warm sensation on the ears rather than the expected sharp pain. The initial 30-minute session passed surprisingly quickly, leading to an additional 15-minute extension followed by guided meditation.

The immediate effect afterward was a calmer physical state. There was less fidgeting than usual, and even the normally stressful commute home felt less irritating compared to a typical day. Sleep afterward felt restful, though not dramatically different.

Paredes said many of her clients describe similar sensations.

“Usually, people just feel very relaxed,” she said. “Some fall asleep. Some say it feels like they had a power nap.”

Others report tingling sensations, hunger, drowsiness, or increased trips to the bathroom after sessions which may be part of the body’s relaxation and detoxification response.

Meditation and AcuDetox

Paredes strongly recommends pairing AcuDetox with meditation or quiet reflection after treatment.

“Meditation helps process the feelings of stress or trauma that were loosened during treatment,” she explained.

A certified Primordial Sound Meditation instructor since 2022, Paredes began studying wellness practices during the pandemic after dealing with career stress and caregiving responsibilities for her late father.

“Stress will never leave us,” she said. “But we can learn how to deal with it better.”

She shared that her experiences during the pandemic and while caring for her father deepened her appreciation for both Western medicine and holistic wellness practices.

“Science can really help a lot,” she said. “But you also have to do your part and take care of yourself.”

Are there side effects?

AcuDetox is generally considered low-risk when performed by trained practitioners using sterile needles. However, people may still experience mild side effects such as:

• Temporary soreness or tenderness
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Emotional release
• Increased urination or bowel movements

Paredes advises clients to avoid cold drinks, smoking, heavy lifting, and showering immediately after treatment to help maintain the body’s relaxed state.

She also recommends eating beforehand, even something light like bread, before attending a session.

For individuals with existing medical conditions, bleeding disorders, or those taking maintenance medication, it is recommended to consult healthcare providers first and inform the acupuncturist about their health status.

Treatment must also be received from trained professionals who use sterile, single-use needles and follow proper sanitation procedures.

How often should sessions be done?

There is no single recommended number of sessions, though consistency is encouraged.

“Ideally, everyday,” Paredes said with a laugh, before acknowledging that regular schedules may not always be practical. “Once or twice a week is already good for self-care.”

She added that the effects may sometimes continue for days after a session.

Ultimately, Paredes believes AcuDetox offers people a chance to slow down and reconnect with themselves.

“It doesn’t really say it’s going to solve all your problems,” she said. “But it makes you sit down and just be quiet.”

AcuDetox sessions with Paredes are priced at P1,000 per session. Group AcuDetox services are also available starting at P3,000 for four people.

Bookings may be done through her email be.still.tune.in@gmail.com or Viber 09989974637. — LA, GMA News