Many of us are aware that stress and sleep are closely linked. The lack of proper rest is an increasing problem in our country. According to the Sleep Foundation nearly one third of adult Americans say that they get insufficient sleep, and the CDC even went as far as to call the situation an epidemic by estimating that nearly 70 million Americans suffer from poor sleep.

A driving factor behind our national sleep deficit is insomnia, which is trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep. The majority of us have experienced stress induced insomnia when faced with environmental stressors and difficult circumstances. 

 

Stress has long been known to be linked with sleep issues as it can adversely affect sleep quality and insufficient sleep can influence our stress tolerance levels. Most importantly, lack of a good night’s rest can take a toll on our bodies in a variety of ways and potentially lead to physical and mental health problems.

Auriculotherapy originated from traditional Chinese medicine and has been thought as a promising treatment for insomnia as it stimulates specific points on the ear. These “auricular points” can be described as a microsystem of the entire body as they are tied to our emotional and physical wellbeing.

Auriculotherapy can be performed by a licensed acupuncturist with acupuncture needles but utilizing ear seeds is an option for your self-care routine at home.

The small round metal pellets (Ear Seeds) are strategically placed over specific acupressure points and are secured on the surface of the ear with a piece of adhesive material. The continuous mild pressure exerted is amplified by pressing the Ear Seed for a few moments throughout the day and can be left on for up to 5 days.

 

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