The Science
Why the Ear Matters in Auriculotherapy
The ear isn’t just for hearing—it’s one of the most complex organs in the body. During early development, it forms from all the main building blocks of the embryo (neural crest, mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm). That means the ear carries a connection to the body’s entire tissue spectrum.
Because of this unique development, the ear is packed with tiny bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, all working together. Importantly, it has an exceptionally rich nerve supply, linking directly to the brain and many body systems.
Nerve Connections
Research shows the ear is connected by several major nerves:
Trigeminal (V) and Facial (VII) nerves
Glossopharyngeal (IX) nerve
Vagus (X) nerve, which plays a big role in regulating many body functions
Cervical spinal nerves (C2, C3), including the great auricular nerve
This network creates direct communication pathways with the central nervous system, which helps explain why stimulating points on the ear can influence the entire body.
Modern Research & Applications
The most exciting focus today is the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Stimulating it (called auricular vagus nerve stimulation, or aVNS) is being explored as a safe, non-invasive treatment for:
Pain relief
Epilepsy
Cancer
Depression and anxiety
Other neurological and inflammatory conditions
Research Studies
-
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
“Preliminary Effectiveness of Auricular Point Acupressure on Chemotherapy‑Induced Neuropathy: Part 1 Self‑Reported Outcomes” (Pain Management Nursing, 2019):
Study found that auriculotherapy using ear seeds can be a promising, self-administered, non-pharmacological approach for managing the side effects of chemotherapy.
Results (after 4 weeks):
Tingling symptoms decreased by 38%; numbness by 49%.
Functional improvements exceeded 28–36%, sustained even one month post-intervention
-
Pain Management
“Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial”, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2003):
This trial offers strong evidence that ear acupuncture, when precisely applied, can provide meaningful relief for chronic cancer-related pain—even in patients already receiving analgesic medications. It stands out as one of the most rigorous and supportive studies in this area of complementary oncology.
Results (after 2 months):
Pain intensity decreased by 36% compared to baseline in the active treatment group, versus just 2% in placebo groups.
Demonstrates a clear analgesic benefit from auricular acupuncture as an adjunct to analgesic therapy.
-
Sleep Quality
Auricular Acupressure Therapy for Patients with Cancer with Sleep Disturbance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021):
A randomized controlled trial found that auricular acupressure significantly improved sleep quality among cancer patients experiencing sleep disturbances—with no notable side effects reported.
Results (ranged from 10-42 days):
Significant improvement in overall sleep quality.
Improvements were seen across several areas of sleep — including quality, duration, and daytime energy.
-
Symptom reduction in breast cancer
Auricular Acupuncture During Chemotherapy Infusion in Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study” (Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2022)
The delivery of auricular acupuncture during chemotherapy infusion was associated with reduction of symptom burden, anxiety, and nausea in breast cancer patients.
Results (after 2 days):
A significant reduction in overall symptom burden
Reduced anxiety immediately after treatment
Less nausea on day 2
-
Anxiety, Fatigue and Sleep
“Effect of Auriculotherapy on Anxiety-Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances in Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review” (Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2025):
16 studies with 669 cancer patients were analyzed. Most studies focused on breast cancer patients.
Results (after 3–8 weeks)
Lower anxiety
Reduced fatigue
improved sleep
Side effects were very mild (sometimes slight ear tenderness).
-
Auriculotherapy for pain, fatigue & sleep
Pilot randomized controlled trial of auricular point acupressure to manage symptom clusters of pain, fatigue, and disturbed sleep in breast cancer patients. Cancer Nursing
The preliminary results suggest that using ear seeds may be a low-cost, effective complementary approach for managing symptom clusters in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Results (after 4 weeks)
71 % reduction in pain
44 % reduction in fatigue
31 % reduction in sleep disturbance
61 % improvement in daily activities
Follow-Up (1 Month Later):
Many improvements were sustained even after the intervention ended, suggesting ongoing benefits beyond active treatment.
The WHO (World Health Organization) Supports Auriculotherapy
In the 1990s, international standards for auricular therapy were created with help from the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, Auricular Acupuncture Points (AAPs) were recognized as a model for how the brain is organized. This understanding came from studying the connections between ear zones and their brain counterparts. The WHO supports auriculotherapy by:
Standardizing names, points, and locations for auricular therapy after collaborating with doctors from Asia, Europe, and America in 1990.
Promoting a consistent naming system for auricular acupuncture to enhance research, teaching, and practice.
Recognizing auriculotherapy as a valid part of clinical care.
Why AcuKITS?
Backed by science
Auriculotherapy is firmly grounded in scientific principles and has been effectively used for many decades to support individuals dealing with chronic illness and the symptoms associated with cancer. This therapeutic approach offers a valuable complement to conventional treatments, promoting overall well-being and symptom relief through targeted stimulation of specific ear points
2. Helps alleviate cancer therapy side effects
Individuals going through cancer treatments often face symptoms like hot flashes, nausea, neuropathy, pain, fatigue, sleep issues, dry mouth and other issues that are hard to treat with conventional medicine.
3. Cost Effective
Even though acupuncture shows promise for easing cancer‑related nausea, pain, fatigue and other side effects, only a small fraction of cancer patients receive it. Studies report that fewer than 5 % of women with breast cancer have tried acupuncture largely because sessions can be costly, aren’t widely offered and often aren’t covered by insurance. (study).
In China, acupuncture is considered a regular and essential part of healthcare and is frequently integrated with Western medicine practices, with many individuals receiving treatments as often as 4-5 times a week. In contrast, in the West, this level of frequency is not feasible due to the high costs associated with treatments, typically ranging from $90 to $150 per session. This financial burden makes it difficult for many people to afford such services or find the necessary time to commit to them.
AcuKITS™ offers an affordable and easy way for patients and caregivers to stimulate acupuncture points without the need for a practitioner, empowering individuals to support their own healing.
4. Convenient and needle‑free
AcuKITS™ deliver the relief of traditional acupuncture without needles. Each kit combines auriculotherapy with gentle acupressure to stimulate precise ear points, helping reduce discomfort naturally and enhance overall wellbeing. Convenient and user‑friendly, these kits empower you to manage treatment‑related symptoms comfortably at home.
5. Support loved ones
Enables individuals to play a supportive role in their loved ones healing journey by applying the ear seeds and/or press tacks and massaging the acupressure points.
-
Stress & Anxiety
Depression
Nausea & Vomiting
Loss of Appetite
Insomnia
Bladder/ Urinary issues
Cognitive Impairment
Immune Suppression
Fatigue
Taste Alterations
Diarrhea
Skin Conditions
Constipation
Dizziness & Vertigo
Bone & Joint Health
Liver Health
Headache & Migraine
Hot Flashes
Mouth Sores
Vision Issues
Neuropathy
Pain
Hair Loss
AcuKITS™
Natural relief from cancer therapy side effects, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine
AcuKITS™ offer a needle-free approach to alleviate side effects often associated with cancer treatment. These convenient at-home kits harness the power of both auriculotherapy and acupressure, stimulating specific acupuncture points to naturally reduce discomfort and enhance overall well-being..
