Believe it or not, ear acupressure can actually help you shed off some extra weight and make those jeans fit a little looser. Read on to find out.
In this article:
- The Discovery of Ear Acupressure
- The Modified Ear Acupressure for Weight Loss
- Instructions for the Exercise
- Massage Tips for Best Results
Modified Ear Acupressure Exercise You Can Do at Home
The Discovery of Ear Acupressure
Auriculotherapy, or ear acupuncture or acupressure, is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It evolved about 2,000 years ago when acupuncturists discovered meridians in your ears that help with pain management, detoxification, anesthesia, calming your nervous system, and increasing your energy levels. And yes, ear acupuncture can also help with weight loss.
Auriculotherapy Definition: It’s a form of acupuncture that stimulates a person’s pressure points on the ear to provide pain relief and treat other health conditions.
The Modified Ear Acupressure for Weight Loss
You’ll need to visit an acupuncturist for ear acupuncture to properly locate your acupressure points, but I can show you the next best thing with a similar, simple technique. The whole process takes about five minutes.
You can do it anytime you need a quick energy boost, whether that’s during your lunch break at your cubicle or in the locker room before you hit the weights. In fact, I highly recommend this stimulating exercise before and after your workout.
Before you begin, if you have long hair, you’ll want to tie it back. You’ll also need both hands free so you can use your fingertips to circulate your ears. You should set aside about five minutes for this exercise.
RELATED: Commentary: Why Athletes Should Give Acupuncture a Try
Instructions for the Exercise
First, I want you to take the back of your fingertips and gently hit your ears about 100 times. You should feel some stimulation.
If you’re new to this exercise, or your ears are sensitive, you might initially feel a small amount of pain that will eventually fade away as your ears “toughen up.”
Second, I want you to massage your ears 100 times with your fingertips, beginning with the top and working all the way down to your earlobe. Applying pressure will stimulate the ear.
In the middle of your ear, you’ll feel the cartilage. Think of this as your ear’s spine. Just as a chiropractor or masseuse will massage and stimulate your vertebral spine, you want to give attention to the “spine” in the center of your ears.
As you proceed downward, you’ll find a little flap at the part of your ear nearest your face. This is called the tragus, and it controls your appetite. Stimulating the tragus helps you with weight loss.
After you’ve completed this massage therapy, you should feel warmth and exhilaration throughout your body.
Heads up: if you’re doing this ear exercise in public, your ears should be a little red when you’re done. (Look at it as a conversation starter and a great way to help and impress others with this simple, effective technique!)
In fact, red ears mean you’ve done this exercise correctly.
Massage Tips for Best Results
You can do this modified ear acupressure therapy seated. If you want to step up your weight loss progress, try it standing up with your legs slightly bent. You’ll improve circulation, build your leg muscles, and burn more fat.
I recommend you begin doing this modified ear acupuncture exercise once a day and gradually work up to three times daily. You’ll probably notice the benefits of acupressure therapy right away, including increased energy and your jeans fitting a little looser.
And when your best friend asks you what new diet you’re doing for your amazing weight loss, you can point to your ears.
Watch this video of Pedram Shojai, founder of well.org, and Grace Suh, celebrity acupuncturist, for more about acupressure:
This modified ear acupressure exercise helps you lose weight effectively with less stress and without spending money. It is still best to pair this exercise with a balanced diet and a regular workout routine to achieve your desired health goal.
Have you tried ear acupressure massage? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 30, 2013, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Grace Suh, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M., is the founder of Body As Medicine which provides a whole-body, mind, and spirit approach for lifelong fat loss and weight management. (Original Article)
