Objective: To observe the clinical effect of the application of auricular points in treatment of various acute pain syndromes.

Methods: Selection of otopoints: Shenmen, and points corresponding to the diseased areas. Manipulation: The most sensitive otopoillts were found out by pressing the corresponding diseased areas on the auricle with a detective stick. The auricle was held by the thumb and index of the left hand, and the corresponding point on the backside was pressed with an adequate force by detective stick held by the right hand. At the time when the patient shouted "pain the point was pressed heavily and quickly once more and then stopped pressing. The patient was instructed to exercise his affected pain area, from small to large amplitude for 15-20 minutes. During the exercise, the point could be pressed once again. At the same time, the patient might feel a warm sensation on the auricle; the doctor could see the auricle becoming flush. In case the pain was still there (indicating organic pathological changes or sprain over three days and existence of local qi and blood stagnation), cupping after pricking by plum-blossom or three edged needles on the affected area could be applied in combination to cause bleeding about 2-5ml out. This treatment was given once. For severe cases, two tfeatments were given. Check was required after one-day interval.

Results: Of the 68 cases, 55 cases were cured, 7 cases were effective, 4 cases were improved, 2 cases failed in treatment. The curative effect was 80%, and the effective rate 97%.

By Ye Yunhong