When Sarah first came to my practice, her primary complaint seemed straightforward: a persistent cough that had been troubling her for months. She had already tried over-the-counter cough suppressants, allergy medications, and even a round of antibiotics prescribed by her doctor—all with minimal relief.
"I'm at my wit's end," she confessed during our initial consultation. "I just want this cough to go away!"
Looking Beyond the Obvious
As an acupuncturist and herbalist, I've learned that symptoms often tell only part of the story. The body speaks in whispers before it shouts, and sometimes the root cause of a problem can be far from where the symptoms manifest.
When I suggested we examine her ears as part of my assessment, Sarah looked puzzled. "My ears? But I'm here for a cough."
I smiled. "The ear is like a microsystem—a map of the entire body. Sometimes, it can reveal the root of our issues."
What the Auricular Diagnostic Analysis Revealed
As I examined Sarah's ears under proper lighting, I carefully checked the areas typically associated with the lungs and asthma—the logical places to look given her chronic cough. Interestingly, there were no auricular signs present in these regions.
Instead, what caught my attention was an enlarged, slightly reddish-purple blood vessel in the region of her ear that corresponds to the stomach.
This wasn't what I had anticipated, but it was a significant clue.
"Sarah," I asked, "is your cough worse at night, especially when lying down? Any heartburn?"
She nodded emphatically. "Yes, it's definitely worse when I'm trying to sleep. But I don't have any heartburn or acid symptoms."
I explained, "What I'm seeing suggests you might be experiencing silent reflux—a condition where stomach acid travels up your esophagus, irritating your throat and triggering your cough, especially at night when you're lying down. The key word is 'silent'—many people with this condition don't experience the obvious burning or acid sensations we typically associate with reflux."
But that wasn't all I noticed. Several other blood vessels in different regions of her ear caught my attention. Following these clues, I asked, "Have you also been experiencing pain in your hips and knees?"
Sarah's eyes widened. "Yes! My left hip has been bothering me for weeks, and my knees ache occasionally. How did you know?"
The ear is two-way street! We can use the ear to address issues and the issues in the organs can show up on the ear!
Creating a Personalized Protocol
Based on what I observed in Sarah's ears, I developed a customized ear seeds protocol targeting multiple points:
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Primary points to address the suspected silent reflux — stomach, cardia
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Corresponding points for her hip & knee — hip, knee
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Supporting points for pain and stress — thalamus, shen men
I carefully placed the tiny seeds on the precise points of her ear, explaining how each one would help send messages of homeostasis in the corresponding areas of her body.
"Press these points gently three times a day," I instructed. "And I'd recommend you speak with your doctor about the possibility of silent reflux."
Confirmation and Relief
Two weeks later, Sarah returned for a follow-up visit with a smile on her face.
"My doctor confirmed it—silent reflux! He was impressed that I came in asking specifically about that. Between the medication he prescribed and your ear seed treatment, my cough has improved dramatically."
She also reported significant improvement in her joint pain, which she hadn't even initially sought treatment for.
"It's amazing how these tiny seeds on my ears could make such a difference," she remarked. "And to think all these issues were connected in ways I never imagined."
The Power of Auricular Diagnosis
Sarah's case exemplifies why I'm so passionate about auricular diagnosis—particularly the analysis of blood vessel patterns on the ear. These visible signs can reveal internal imbalances that might otherwise go undetected, allowing for earlier intervention and more targeted treatment approaches.
One of the challenges with digestive complaints is that they can be remarkably vague. A client might describe a "stomachache" when the issue is actually originating in their small intestine or colon. Different areas of the digestive tract can create similar sensations of discomfort, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source of trouble.
This is where auricular diagnosis becomes invaluable. The vagus nerve—which connects our brain to many of our internal organs—sends messages from distressed digestive organs that can manifest as enlarged blood vessels on specific areas of the ear. These visible signs help practitioners like me pinpoint the true causes and adjust protocols accordingly.
Placing ear seeds on the stomach point when the issue is actually in the small intestine won't necessarily hurt, but it may not provide the targeted relief needed. Auricular diagnosis allows me to interpret what the client is describing alongside what their body is actually communicating, creating a more precise and effective treatment plan.
The ear doesn't lie. Through careful observation of its intricate landscape, we can uncover connections between seemingly unrelated symptoms and address their common roots rather than just managing individual complaints.
Discover This Ancient Wisdom for Yourself
Are you intrigued by how the patterns and colors of blood vessels in the ear can unlock secrets about your health? Would you like to learn how to identify potential digestive issues, joint problems, or other health concerns through this fascinating diagnostic approach?
Join us for our upcoming virtual class:
Decoding Blood Vessels: An Auricular Diagnosis Approach
Date: April 22nd at 10 AM
Includes: 6-month replay access for those who can't attend live
In this comprehensive session, you'll learn:
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How to identify different blood vessel patterns and what they potentially signify
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The connection between specific ear regions and your digestive system
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Practical techniques you can apply immediately to gain insights into your own health
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How to develop personalized protocols based on auricular findings
Whether you're a healthcare practitioner looking to expand your diagnostic toolkit or someone interested in taking a more active role in understanding your body's signals, this class will provide you with valuable, actionable knowledge.
Remember: While auricular diagnosis can provide remarkable insights, it's meant to complement, not replace, conventional medical care. Always work with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
About the Author
Robin Ray Green is a prominent pediatric health expert, author, speaker, and business coach. As the co-founder of Thrive Ear Seeds Educational Platform, Robin has been instrumental helping make auriculotherapy easy and accessible to parents and pediatric practitioners.
Robin's expertise in pediatric health has made her a renowned figure in the healthcare industry, and she is widely recognized for her work in the field of pediatric acupuncture.
Robin has shared the stage with notable speakers such as Dr. David Perlmutter, Jack Canfield, Dr. Pedram Shojai, Dr. Elisa Song, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Dr. Steve Cowan, Katie Wells of Wellness Mama, and many more.
She is the best-selling author of Heal Your Child From The Inside Out: The 5-Element Way to Nurturing Healthy, Happy Kids. This Hay House published treasure offers practical tips for parents seeking lasting solutions to their child's health issues.
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