AcuWellness Works
ear after ear
5NP supports Whole Health
WHY 5NP? Participants have reported getting good results from this simple, standardized, economical ear acupuncture protocol when they are chronically stressed, working with addiction and/or mental health challenges, have chronic pain, poor sleep, foggy thinking or overwhelm. Most of them notice an immediate sensation of calm. Try it out with your colleagues, patients, clients, employees, board members, team or support group and see for yourself.
When 5NP is offered in a consistent, accessible, community setting, it addresses equally and simultaneously physical pathology, mental health and loneliness.
What is it?
Acudetox-5NP involves activation of up to five specific acupoints in each ear while relaxing in quiet stillness with others for 30-45 minutes.
5NP is applicable and beneficial in a wide variety of organizations and communities to mitigate toxic stress and its damaging effects on mental, behavioral and physical well-being.
This simple and safe standardized protocol works in support of other therapeutic, counseling, and team-building programs you already have in place.
Why would we try it?
Acudetox-5NP helps participants and practitioners drop into a place of rest, relaxation and safety, to enable managing stress better, sleeping better and feeling better in their bodies.
The needles have an immediate calming effect and help people who are challenged in being still to achieve a meditative state without the learning curve of mindfulness practices.
A few tiny needles (and/or taped on ear beads, if preferred) AND the ritual of community engagement can make a big difference in providing accessible wellness practices to those who need them most.
Acudetox needles are fine, sterile, stainless steel, single use, with a bright orange handle
Ear beads/seeds can be taped on to extend treatment benefits after the needles, or used in lieu of, if preferred.
5NP has many different names, including Acudetox, 5NP, NADA, AcuWellness, 5 needle protocol, NADA protocol. It grew up from grassroots in the 1970’s, inspired by acupuncture and the Barefoot Doctors, developed and influenced by the Civil Rights Movement in response to a harrowing heroin epidemic in the Bronx, NY, and brought into its final form by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). Other national non-profits serving the people are proponents of this simple protocol, including Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB), and the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA). There are thousands of people all around the world who use this protocol to ease suffering. Regardless of its name, it remains the same.
Why beads/seeds, needles, gentle massage in the EARS?
Pragmatic: Ears are accessible in almost any setting; no need for privacy, undressing, no vital organs at risk. Efficiently and economically delivered in groups.
Common sense: Human EARS are sensory organs with two main functions, hearing and balance. Mindfully stimulating them gently cultivates harmony and balance within.
Acupuncture wisdom: The ears are correlated with the water element which nourishes the roots of life, energizing them is grounding, calming, restorative.
Reflexology: Ears are a microsystem of the whole body, like feet in reflexology. Giving them a good massage can help stuck places flow throughout the system.
Neurology: Ears are innervated by the vagus nerve, It is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. It is responsible for many involuntary sensory and motor functions including
Digestion, heart rate, breathing, constriction and dilation of blood vessels
Reflex actions: coughing, sneezing, swallowing, vomiting
Immune system response, mood, mucus and saliva production, skin and muscle sensations, speech, taste, and urine production.
When the body is in a stressful “fight-or-flight” state, stimulating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system can help bring the body back to a stable state. It sends a message that it’s time to relax and de-stress. Repeated often it can lead to long-term improvements in mood, pain management and resilience.
Psychology: Stimulating the vagus nerve increases vagal tone. Compatible with Polyvagal Theory.