Progress in Clinical Applications of Auricular Acupuncture at the International Symposium on Auriculotherapy Held in Singapore

An international gathering of world experts in the field of auricular acupuncture met in Singapore in August of 2017 to present the most recent research and clinical findings in this domain of alternative health care. Opening sessions summarized the neurophysiological research that has highlighted the importance of auricular portions of the vagus nerve in understanding the basis for both physiological and clinical benefits that have been observed with auriculotherapy. The alleviation of multiple medical symptoms by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation was featured in several studies. Evaluation of recent journal articles in both China and in the West has provided continued support for the clinical benefits of auricular acupuncture. Randomized controlled trials have shown statistically significant improvements in chronic pain, osteoarthritis, post-stroke syndrome, and drug abuse disorders. Active ear points related to body pathology have been observed in newborn infants as well as adults. As such international symposiums often conclude, continued research to further evaluate the advanced application of auriculotherapy is an essential goal Received: July 3