Suppression of Experimental Pain by Auriculopressure

Abstract

In a controlled trial at a University Clinic of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, healthy student volunteers were given auriculopressure to investigate its analgesic effect. There were two study groups, each containing 30 volunteers. The first group was given auriculopressure to the toe somatic point on the ear, with pressure sensitivity being measured on the skin of the toe with an algometer device before and after ear stimulation. The control group had the same measurements with placebo stimulation to the ear. In the auriculopressure group the increase in pain threshold was statistically significant. In the placebo control group there was no significant change. These results suggest that auriculopressure could be a useful method for suppression of post-traumatic somatic pain.