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THE AURICULAR PROTOCOL FOR PAIN AND ANXIETY: BETA PROTOCOL: SUMMARY 140901 www.appa-acupuncture.org

Beta protocol, v1: a summary


Points

1 September 2014

and suggested needling order

Sympathetic Autonomic

(IH4/AH7)

Thalamus (CW2/IC4)

Effectiveness:
Nervous disorders, anxiety

Tranquiliser

4
(TG2)

Effectiveness:
Anxiety

Effectiveness:
Pain, anxiety

Point Zero (HX1/CR1)


Effectiveness:
Pain, homeostasis

Shen Men

(TF2)

Effectiveness:
Pain and anxiety

Procedures for administration (effectiveness)


Point location
Points may optionally be located before
needling by pressure palpation with a probe
or needle-handle to detect sensitivity.

Delivery pattern

Retention time

Needles should be given bilaterally.

Needles should be retained for 30 minutes.

NOTE: This may be varied according to the


patients requirement. Practitioners not use
all the needles in the protocol, or may use all
the needles for just one ear.

NOTE: This may be varied according to the


patients requirement, and according to local
cirumstances.

continued overleaf

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THE AURICULAR PROTOCOL FOR PAIN AND ANXIETY: BETA PROTOCOL: SUMMARY 140901 www.appa-acupuncture.org

Procedures for administration (effectiveness)


Dosage level

continued

Group treatment sessions

Treatments may be carried out on-demand


over a variable number of weeks, but on
average at the frequency of 3 treatments a
week over a five-week period.

Treatments may be carried out for groups of


patients simultaneously, where this enhances
therapeutic effect and/or is required by local
circumstance.

NOTE: This may be varied on individual


patient demand and according to local
circumstances and requirements.

NOTE: At practitioner discretion, and


according to local circumstances and
requirements.

Quietness
Practitioners should encourage quietness
during group treatment sessions, where this
enhances therapeutic effect.
NOTE: This may be varied according to local
requirements.

Practitioner relational training


Practitioners should communicate (nonverbally) a sympathetic, respectful approach
to patients.
NOTE: Non-verbal communication will vary
between cultures, and this practice should
therefore be locally adapted.

Procedures for administration (safety)


Practitioner hand hygiene
As a minimum, the practitioner must use
an alcohol cleanser to clean their hands
before treating each patient.
NOTE: WHO handwash routine to be
taught, including recognition of, and
procedures to deal with, recontamination.

Needleshock
Practitioners should be trained to recognise
and safely respond to needleshock
(hyperstimulation)
NOTE: Note that where patients are treated
in seated position, there may be a risk of
needlestick injury to the practitioner or other
patients. Incorporate needlestick injury
response in training.

Patient ear cleansing


Each patients auricles must be thoroughly
swabbed before needling using (i) a solution
of 70% isopropyl alcohol, or (ii) in cases of
religious objection or substance use, nonalcohol sterile wipes.
NOTE: Dispense alcohol hand gel onto clean
cotton wool ball. Procedure for swabbing
should be taught, sensitive to local cultures
(face coverings) and patients holding own
hair.

Staunching of bleeding
Any bleeding may be staunched either
(i) with a clean cotton wool ball held by
the patient to his/her own ear, or (ii) by a
cotton bud (Q-Tip or similar) applied by the
practitioner.
NOTE: Ensure any patient with
contaminated hands uses clean surface of
cotton wool ball to staunch blood, and also
that patient surrenders contaminated waste
before leaving clinic.

Perpendicular insertion
Needles should be inserted perpendicular to
the appropriate plane of the ear, avoiding
deep penetration of cartilage.
NOTE: Needling techniques to be taught.
Needling into cartilage may promote the
possibility of infection, so needles may be
slightly angled to avoid deep penetration of
cartilage.

Disposal of materials
Used needles, cleaning materials and any
contaminated waste should be disposed of
safely.
NOTE: Definition of safe may vary locally;
this to be investigated in local conditions.

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