What are Ear Seeds and How Can They Help You Feel Better?

This post is a continuation of our blog series about our unique massage enhancements at our clinic in Jacksonville, Florida that target pain and stress relief. Read on to learn about the benefits of ear seed therapy!

Ear seeds are a form of auriculotherapy which is a type of acupressure treatment for the ear. Rather than puncturing the ear (as in acupuncture), ear acupressure uses seeds, generally from the Vaccaria plant, to put pressure on certain points in the ear. The seeds are attached to a piece of latex or a bandage with adhesive, so they stick to the ear at the pressure points and can be kept there for three to four days.
Ear seeds can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress and pain. When added to your massage in Jacksonville, Florida, ear seeds can enhance the feeling of relaxation and well-being you experience during the massage. They'll also help to extend the feeling of calmness, relaxation and pain relief following the massage.


What Are Ear Seeds Made Of?

In general, ear seeds consist of a Vaccaria seed attached to an adhesive sticker. However, nowadays, ear seeds might be made of any of the following materials:

• Ion pellets
• Magnets
• Titanium
• Stainless Steel
• Ceramic

The adhesive sticker that the seed is attached to might be made of latex, cloth or some other type of tape.

At our massage clinic in Jacksonville, Florida we tend to use the traditional Vaccaria seeds or stainless steel "seeds."

What Conditions Can Be Treated With Ear Seeds?

There are 120 pressure points in the ear, including the Shen Men which is also called the master point. By pressing down on different pressure points, ear seeds can treat several different conditions, such as the following:

• Acute or chronic pain
• Migraines
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Insomnia
• Cravings for sugar or addictive substances
• Weight issues

In modern life, we suffer, on and off, from different types of pain as well as anxiety. Stress is also a normal part of our lives. However, a massage in Jacksonville, Florida, especially one that uses ear seeds, can be used to alleviate our pain, anxiety and stress.


How Are Ear Seeds Used?

When you ask for a massage with ear seeds, your massage therapist will go through the following application process:

1. Clean the Area: They will make sure that the outside of your ear is clean and dry, before applying the seeds.
2. Pinpoint the Problem: They'll speak to you about what types of problems you are experiencing and then pinpoint the correct pressure points on the ear for those problems.
3. Apply the Ear Seeds: They'll use tweezers to peel off the back and apply the seeds to pressure points on the ear. They'll press gently to make sure they stick.
4. Rub the Seeds Gently: They'll rub the seeds very gently in a circular motion. This is something you can also do later, 2-3 times a day, for as long as you keep the seeds on your ear.
5. Seed Removal: They'll let you know how long you can keep the seeds on. Usually, you should not leave them on for more than five days. You can remove them with tweezers or your fingers, unless they fall off on their own.

Scientific Studies About Ear Seeds:
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There have been several scientific studies that prove the benefits of ear seeds.

• Lower Back Pain: A 2013 study showed that ear seeds can help people who have chronic lower back pain. The participants of this study walked away with 75% less pain than the control group. Additionally, the reduction in pain lasted for at least a month.
• Insomnia: In 2015, a literature review indicated that, as per several scientific studies, ear seeds can help people who have insomnia.
• Pain Tolerance: A study in 2015 indicated that the use of ear seeds can increase people's pain tolerance.

Why Use Ear Seeds on the Shen Men Point?There are two Shen Men points on the body, as per Chinese philosophy. One is on the ear and one is on the wrist. The Shen Men point is also called the "spirit gate" or the "divine gate" because this is supposed to be where the gods enter and exit the human body.

The Shen Men point is connected to the heart meridian which is one of the twelve meridians in the body through which "qi" or "ch'i" flows. As a result, it can help to calm your mind and your spirit which in turn leads to a lowering of anxiety.
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For an additional $15, you can receive an ear seed enhancement to your massage in Jacksonville, Florida. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of ear seed enhancements.

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We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Mandarin, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more.

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