Body of Research

Research into the clinical specificity of ear acupuncture points representing organs or structures of the body is ongoing. In this pilot study, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), researchers study point specificity using two auricular points having different topographical locations and clinical significance: stimulation of Thumb Auricular Acupoint (TAA) and stimulation of Brain Stem Auricular Acupoint (BSAA). The differences in activation patterns between TAA and BSAA stimulation support the specificity of the two acupoints, and the peculiarity of the regions involved in BSAA stimulation compared to those involved in the pain matrix, is in accordance with the therapeutic indications of this acupoint that include head pain, dizziness and vertigo. The full text can be requested via PubMed.