Auricular Acupuncture and Vagal Regulation

Abstract

Auricular acupuncture has been utilized in the treatment of diseases for thousands of years. Dr. Paul Nogier firstly originated the concept of an inverted fetus map on the external ear. In the present study, the relationship between the auricular acupuncture and the vagal regulation has been reviewed. It has been shown that auricular acupuncture plays a role in vagal activity of autonomic functions of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. Mechanism studies suggested that afferent projections from especially the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) form the anatomical basis for the vagal regulation of auricular acupuncture. Therefore, we proposed the “auriculovagal afferent pathway” (AVAP): both the autonomic and the central nervous system could be modified by auricular vagal stimulation via projections from the ABVN to the NTS. Auricular acupuncture is also proposed to prevent neurodegenerative diseases via vagal regulation. There is a controversy on the specificity and the efficacy of auricular acupoints for treating diseases. More clinical RCT trials on auricular acupuncture and experimental studies on the mechanism of auricular acupuncture should be further investigated.

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Neurological and Mental Disorders: From Germination to Future

“…With some exceptions, the Chinese charts were very similar to Nogier's originals [12]. Also, according to anatomical studies which suggest that the ear is the only place on the surface of human bodies where there is afferent vagus nerve distribution [13,14], especially in the auricular concha ( Figure 5) [15], a direct stimulation of these afferent nerve fibres on ear supposes to has similar effect to classic VNS without surgical intervention, which is fertile for more disorders (Figure 6) [16]. …”

Chronic Intermittent Low-Level Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of Auricular Branch of Vagus Nerve Improves Left Ventricular Remodeling in Conscious Dogs With Healed Myocardial Infarction

“…24 The afferent vagal nerve fibers innervating the tragus area enter the main vagal trunk through the jugular ganglion at level of the skull base. Nomura and Mizuno 25 found that the afferent fibers of ABVN terminated mainly in the nucleus tractus solitaries.…”

A case series of auricular acupuncture in a veteran’s population using a revised auricular mapping-diagnostic paradigm (RAMP-uP)

“…The underlying mechanisms of auricular acupuncture treatments based on RAMP-uP also will be explored, examining possible neural and/or vascular influences. [31][32][33] Conflict of interest: The authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest. …”