The origins and lineage of Auricular Medicine - Part 2

The Lineage of Auricular Medicine

In the last issue of the Red Clover Clinic Newsletter, we discussed the origins of Auricular Medicine. In Part 2, we will discuss many of the practitioners and their innovations that followed Dr. Paul Nogier’s initial discoveries and methods.

German Auricular Medicine

As mentioned in Part 1, Dr. Frank Bahr worked closely with Dr. Nogier to develop Auricular Therapy/Medicine. After some years, Dr. Bahr broke away from Dr. Nogier and worked on developing his own auricular assessment and treatment methods. He discovered a way to identify and treat blockages in the body, which, in theory, defeat the purpose of Nogier’s Three Phase system. Among his discoveries and accomplishments, Dr. Bahr discovered many functional points (points that calm the nervous system, lessen inflammation, alleviate pain, regulate hormone levels, regulate emotions, etc.). He also increased the use of frequencies in both assessment and treatment primarily delivered by low-level lasers and he developed a method to treat soul traumas, i.e. PTSD.

There are many other people who made important contributions to the field of German Auricular Medicine, most notably Dr. Beatte Strittmatter. She added the ability to identify dental blockages, which are hidden dental infections that go unnoticed for years, causing all kinds of health problems. If found early enough, they can often be treated with laser treatment, but sometimes require root canals and extractions. She also wrote an in-depth pocket atlas of auricular acupuncture that has been translated into five languages.

Canadian developments of German Auricular Medicine

Muriel Agnes, PhD, is responsible for bringing German Auricular Medicine to North America. She studied with Dr. Beatte Strittmatter and Dr. Peter Gross. She developed a curriculum and founded the Vital Principle Institute, which is now known as the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM). Her son, Dave Maybee, has continued teaching and expanding Auricular Medicine practice. He has developed his own approach to healing trauma, called Auricular Trauma Release.

Nader Soliman’s contributions to Auricular Medicine

Dr. Nader Soliman is an anesthesiologist who became an expert in the field of Auricular Medicine, following Nogier’s methods. He developed SAAT, a powerful allergy treatment, as well as formulating an extensive line of bioenergetic remedies to treat complicated conditions.

Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Technique (SAAT)

SAAT is a powerful auricular acupuncture technique that was developed by Dr. Soliman. It often completely clears or significantly reduces allergy and sensitivity symptoms by reprograming the immune system to not react to allergens. Each allergen is addressed with one needle in a precise location that is specific to each individual. Several allergens can be treated in one visit. The needles are retained in the ear for 3 to 4 weeks, and are secured with a natural, medical adhesive and plaster, making them unobtrusive and very easy to tolerate.

Soliman’s Auricular Medicine

Soliman’s Auricular Medicine uses bioenergetic field testing for assessment and his line of bioenergetic remedies as the primary treatment, with the occasional addition of SAAT treatment. The effectiveness of Soliman’s Auricular Medicine method comes from its very broad approach to clearing all possible barriers to healing, detoxifying the organs at the cellular level, and stabilizing the immune system. This restoration of normal function allows the body to heal itself.

Soliman’s Auricular Medicine is particularly effective at addressing hard-to-treat conditions, such as: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, psycho-emotional disorders, chronic Lyme disease, MCAS, allergies, recurring conditions such as rashes, sinus and urinary tract infections, chronic viral infections, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, exposure to mold, environmental toxins and heavy metals, and any mysterious, chronic condition.

As you can see, the practice of Auricular Medicine is broad and complex. I feel fortunate to have studied with Muriel Agnes, Dave Maybee, Dr. Frank Bahr, Dr. Beatte Strittmatter, and Dr. Nader Soliman. I’ve also done some remote trainings in French Auricular Medicine with Mikhael Adams, N.D. and have learned about the power of adding electrical stimulation to auricular needles from Dr. Jeremy Steiner. I’m grateful to all of these wonderful teachers and how they have expanded and enriched my understanding and practice of Auricular Medicine.

Marie's Body of Knowledge

I’ve been out in the garden and now my body hurts….

Sunshine, warmer temperatures, and the change of seasons: all are invitations to head out to dig in the garden. Many people find peace and tranquility digging in the dirt and revel in its therapeutic effect on their mental health. It’s an opportunity to connect to Mother Earth and a profound opportunity, on a daily basis, to be a source of grounding to the Earth.

However, before enjoying the beautiful flowers and/or harvesting vegetables, there’s weeding, tilling, planting, and watering. All of which, depending on the body mechanics you choose, put a significant amount of stress on your body.

Bending over at the waist puts significant strain on your low back and neck. Sitting and twisting causes stress to your entire spine. Kneeling creates compression to your knees. Pulling irritates your shoulders, neck, and upper back. Pushing thru a shovel with your foot generates force through your foot, knee, hip, and low back.

What is the most effective way to navigate these activities with the least amount of body discomfort? The simplest recommendation is posture, body mechanics, modifying activity, and building up endurance.

Gardening is exercise and like running, you wouldn’t go from not running at all to running a 10k for your first time out on the streets. It’s important to warm up your muscles and build up endurance.

It would be helpful to spend 10-15 minutes stretching your low back, hip flexors, hamstrings, neck, and shoulders before heading outside. Start with 60-90 minutes of gardening and then take a break. Go back to it later or the next day, allowing your body to build up activity tolerance. Change positions every 15-20 minutes to change the stresses on your body. Consider using a rolling stool to scoot around the flower beds and garden. Avoid bending over at the waist and twisting, as those two positions are particularly hard on your body regardless of the activity.

If you’re not sure what to do to stretch or you end up with post-gardening aches and pains that that aren’t resolving, make an appointment with a physical therapist to get you back on track. A physical therapist will provide hands-on manual therapy to decrease muscle tightness and improve joint mechanics, as well as give you exercises to increase mobility, decrease pain, and improve function. Happy gardening!!