All sorts of fun at Clinical Theater class on Wednesday, when we did not have a patient scheduled for treatment and observation during the first session, so Professor Lesley Hamilton decided to show us some ear acupuncture points. She had placed 5 needles corresponding to the shenmen, sympathetic, kidney, liver, and lung points in one of each of our ears when a student asked whether we could practice inserting needles on one another. We had never placed needles freehand before into cartilage, so this was quite exciting.
Professor Hamilton said that the ear points are convenient for field treatment (e.g, festival events, disaster relief, outpatient clinics), when disrobing is not a convenient option.
John (shown above, getting final instructions from Dr. Grace Tan) was particularly excited, as this was his first experience inserting acupuncture needles. John is a music professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and he is not in the degree program but is taking AOMA classes as he can. Nicole, who began her Master's degree classes at AOMA this summer, lent him an ear.
Patrick, from Washington, D.C., models two earfuls of needles.
K.J. is a mom with two young sons, and she bravely let me insert these needles into her ear. Look Mom, no blood!!
Professor Hamilton helps Elizabeth place needles in Elaina's ear, as Diana and K.J. observe. Laurin waits for Shalee to start her treatment.
How does it feel? Getting the needles placed did not hurt (certainly jamming my pierced earrings back into the semi-closed holes is more traumatic), and we felt a definite warmth and tingling on our ears after a few minutes. Professor Hamilton half-jokingly advised us to make sure we weren't dripping blood from our ears after removing the needles, as this would likely unnerve our incoming patient.
