Ear Seeds & Auricular Acupuncture is it all NADA? A Brief History, a link to Tupac Shakur & how it might help support Jersey Islanders!
Ear Seeds & Auricular Acupuncture, did it all start with Dragons Den?
With the recent Dragons Den episode on ear seeds I thought we should delve into a bit of history on where it all originated from. 
The origins...
The origins of ear acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture, was established in the 1950s. French doctor Paul Nogier noticed burn marks on the ears of patients treated by lay practitioner Madame Barrin. Driven by curiosity, Nogier travelled to North Africa, experimenting, and establishing auricular acupuncture. His findings reached Japanese acupuncturists and eventually China, earning Nogier the title 'father of modern ear acupuncture.'
What does ear acupuncture have to do with Tupac?
Travel back to the 1970s with Mutulu Shakur, Tupac Shakur's stepfather, who revolutionised ear acupuncture at New York's Lincoln Hospital Detoxification Programme, giving rise to the NADA protocol. This simple yet potent technique, utilising five ear acupuncture points, emphasises a medication-free approach with its acronym inspired by the Spanish word 'nada' (nothing). Originally aimed at substance misuse, ear acupuncture's adaptability shines through, offering holistic support for various challenges.
Hot flushes and night sweats.
British Acupuncture Council member (MBAcC) Beverley de Valois was lead researcher in a programme, supported by the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre, exploring the NADA protocol's effectiveness for breast cancer survivors facing hot flushes and night sweats. Jonquil Westwood Pinto MBAcC interviewed Mandy Brass (MBAcC) to learn about her work in integrated oncology, which includes running a NADA clinic for hot flushes.
Pain control after caesarean delivery.
I was very excited to hear Prof Taras Usichenko from the University Medicine of Greifswald, Germany at the British Acupuncture Council Conference last year. Prof Usichenko has undertaken research on auricular acupuncture for pain control after caesarean delivery. The findings of this study suggest that the use of preoperative acupuncture as an additional pain therapy is safe and effective in patients after elective caesarean birth.
Community acupuncture
I also saw a fascinating lecture last year at the conference by Rachel Peckham FBAcC, Director and Trainer for Nada GB, to learn about the clinic she set up in collaboration with Wold Medicine UK – to support the Grenfell community following the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017. A protocol, I am sure you will agree, that would have been a fantastic tool to help support the local community after Jersey’s gas explosion in 2022 as well as post Storm Ciarán in 2023.
What's on the horizon?
In a recent initiative, the BAcC played a vital role in setting up a mental health ear acupuncture service for Inner Gloucester Primary Care Network (PCN). Three dedicated BAcC Members have been delivering this service for approximately a year, with promising early results sparking interest from other PCNs. Collaborating closely, the British Acupuncture Council and Inner Gloucester PCN have crafted a toolkit to empower and guide other PCNs in establishing similar services. Auricular acupuncture is a useful tool to help support accessible and effective mental health support and pain management.