International Consensus Conference on
Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy and Auricular Medicine

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS

ICCAAAM'06

 
Friday - August 25, 2006
7:00pm Recent Advances in the Research and Clinical Practice of Auriculotherapy. Terry Oleson, PhD
Keynote Address: Following an international conference held in Lyon, France, in the year 2000, common interest was initiated to develop an international bibliography of auriculotherapy and auriculomedicine research. It was agreed that it would be necessary to provide international users with a maximum amount of data allowing for communication about auricular acupuncture conducted in many different languages. Individual language coordinators were identified to put together a bibliography in their respective language in order to create an internet site for each language. Structured abstracts were first to be made available in English on a central website, with a link to the website of other languages. This keynote address will present the most recent progress on the development of this international bibliography.

Saturday - August 26, 2006
8:30-8:45am Overview of ICCAAAM ’06 Symposium
Terry Oleson, PhD
     This synopsis of the symposium presentations to be delivered by all ICCAAAM'06 speakers will discuss the relationship of each talk to the conference theme. Identification of the specific interests of each speaker from different countries will seek to develop an international consensus regarding the most optimal auricular points for particular health conditions and the most effective means for using auriculotherapy procedures.

8:45 –
9:30 am
Functional MRI of the Human Brain following Auricular Stimulation and Analgesic Effects of Auricular Acupuncture for Cancer Pain, David Alimi, MD
     This presentation will examine Dr. Alimi's pioneering studies on fMRI recordings of responses in the human brain to pressure applied to the physical thumb and corresponding fMRI responses to stimulation of the thumb region of the auricle. He also will describe a randomized, blinded controlled trial he conducted at the Gustave Roussy Institute, in collaboration with the 521 Unit of the National Institute of Science and Medical Research. Stimulation at appropriate auricular points yielded significantly greater reduction of cancer pain than stimulation of sham ear points.

 9:30 – 10:15 am Acupuncture Treatment for Severe Dry Mouth Secondary to Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer and for Patients with Dry Mouth and Dry Eyes in Sjogren’s Syndrome, Richard Niemtzow, MD, PhD
     Head and neck cancer patients experience dry mouth after the completion of radiation treatment for their malignant disease. This secondary complication from radiotherapy degrades the quality of life and may not respond to traditional drug therapy. Patients suffering from Sjogren's Syndrome may experience combinations of dry mouth and dry eyes. Although the research in both theses areas are in its infancy, clinical acupuncture techniques provide symptomatic relief and most likely involves a common neuron-physiological pathway. Dr. Niemtzow will present a systematic understanding of the pathology process involved in both the salivary and ocular glands, a brief overview of the therapeutic acupuncture techniques involved, possible mechanism of action, and clinical outcomes.

10:30 – 11:15 am Current Application of Auricular Medicine in Europe and Recent Research Localizing Neurological Correspondences on the Ear, Beate Strittmatter, MD
     Dr. Strittmatter will present the actual state of art in the field of acupuncture and ear acupuncture in Europe and how it is integrated and reimbursed in the daily practice of practitioners and hospitals in Germany. She will also present her own research on the ear-reflex zones related to the detailed neurological localizations and reflex zones. These zones are in great parts new and are not yet a part of the Nogier- or Chinese charts. The old French and Oriental ear charts are 30 years old, when some of the today's neurological structures were not even known yet. The neurological correspondences of auricular points needed to be corrected to indicate more precise localization on the ear.

11:15 – 12:00 pm Memory of Pain and Other Blockages in the Brain and their Therapy with Auricular Medicine, Frank Bahr, MD
     This lecture will present an overview of the latest clinical research in the field of auricular medicine and auricular therapy in Europe. Dr. Bahr will discuss new systems on the external ear, such as the "pain memory points" which are important to master chronic pain and are a great aid to understand the 3 Nogier phases that have been related to the brain. He will also present new corresponding reflex points for herbal substances represented at the ear, including Bach-Flowers, Californian and Australian flower essences, and homeopathic remedies.

1:30 –
2:15 pm
Advancement of Auricular Therapy in China Over the Past Five Years
Baixiao Zhao, MD, PhD
     Introduce the general situation of the progress of auricular acupuncture development in the last five years?2000 - 2005?, based on the result of the computer search system of the Chinese journals of science and technology. Dr. Zhao will analyze the scientific research that has evaluated auricular acupuncture, including clinical and experimental studies. The specific application of the auricular therapy in each department such as internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, and dermatology department will be evaluated.

2:15 –
3:00 pm
Establishing the Formation of the Profession of Auricular Diagnosis and Auricular Healing Treatments in China, Liqun Zhou, MD, PhD
     As Secretary General of the Auricular Acupuncture Committee of Beijing University, Dr. Zhou will present the overall approaches and programs for setting up the profession of auricular diagnostics and healing in accordance with the new professional administration letter from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the People's Republic of China. He will describe the overviews, background of the profession, number of the practitioners and their distribution, supply and demand status in the market, the relevant situation of this occupation abroad, domestic developing perspective, professional designation and definition, analysis of working nature, occupational qualified traits, practicing environment condition, pertinent laws and codes, and the relationship between relevant vocations and this vocation.

3:00 –
3:45 pm
Balancing Vital Qi Energy Through Auricular Acupuncture
Steven KH Aung, MD, PhD
     The basic philosophy and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) will be contrasted with the theories and models utilized to describe auricular acupuncture. Holograms and Qi energetics have many features in common. The ear as a hologram of the whole body, with mind and spiritual systematics, is very compatible with the theories of TCM. The work of Dr. Nogier and other complementary perspectives will be examined as part of the Aung holistic healing approach.

4:00 –
6:30 pm
Consensus Panel on Localization of Most Effective Auricular Reflex Points for Myofascial and Visceral Disorders.
     Dr. Alimi, Dr. Aung, Dr. Bahr, Dr. Niemtzow, Dr. Oleson, Dr. Strittmatter, Dr. Zhao, and Dr. Zhou will all participate in this panel.
     Exchange of information regarding ancient and modern auricular acupuncture from the perspective of clinicians and research scientists from different countries. There will be an intended emphasis toward an integration of evidence-based scientific and clinical perspectives from the different disciplines that utilize auriculotherapy, auricular acupuncture and auricular medicine. Particular focus will address identification of the most effective auricular points for the treatment of myofascial and internal organ disorders. The direction of future clinical endeavors and research initiatives will be evaluated.

Sunday - August 27,2006
8:00 –  
8:30 am
 
Auricular Acupuncture for Behavioral Health
Michael Smith, MD
     Dr. Smith will discuss the development of the 3 - 5 point auricular protocol that has been widely utilized in addiction treatment settings. Extensive experience with the protocol in other areas of mental health, including post-traumatic stress and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, will also be presented. The role of acupuncture as a co-therapy which facilitates listening, participation, and self-actualization will be supported by outcome data and controlled studies.

830–  
9:15 am
Auricular Acupressure Treatment for Negative Self-Talk and its Emotional Impact, Janet Konefal, PhD
     Dr. Konefal will present the findings from a randomized placebo-controlled study on 68 adult. These results indicate that a sequential acupressure technique involving the ear can alter the qualities of negative self-talk and reduce the negative emotional impact of the self-talk for the individual. The placebo or sham treatment resulted in a negative impact adding question to the concept of sham acupuncture.

9:15– 10:00 am Detection of Auricular Reflex Points for Improving Diagnosis and Treatment, Jim Shores, PhD
     The contrast between the effectiveness of monopolar versus bipolar probes for the electrical detection and transcutaneous electrical simulation will be explained. Utilization of close-up televideo photography of the external ear to demonstrate the application of these auriculotherapy procedures will allow attendees to view the most optimal techniques for placing the electrical probe upon the auricle.

10:15– 11:00 am Effective Application of Auriculotherapy in Chiropractic Practice
Jon Sunderlage,
 DC, LAc
     Dr. Sunderlage will discuss the importance of balance in using chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. The balance of the meridians and the balance of the nervous system will be discussed as integrated with auriculotherapy. Specific ear reflex points will be used to enhance the overall body treatment which allows the body to heal faster.

11:00 – 12:45 am Specific Protocols for the Utilization of Auriculotherapy in Spinal Manipulation, Gary Ditson, DC, LAc
     Dr. Ditson will discuss the importance of using auriculotherapy after spinal manipulation to decrease pain and promote healing. This lecture will emphasize the use of the three phases and back of the ear to achieve the goal of helping the patient. The understanding of the phases can be used to predict the actual condition of the patient as to their need for further treatment. Dr. Ditson will also discuss how to implement Auriculotherapy into an ongoing practice with ease.

1:00 –  
1:45 pm
Acupuncture Micro-Systems and Nogier’s 3 Phases
Nader Soliman, MD
     Dr. Soliman will discuss the original somatotopic maps developed by Paul Nogier with regard to the representation of different body regions in subsequent auricular charts, particularly the 3 phases. More recent clinical studies from France will also be described.

1:45 –  
2:30 pm
Phase Dynamics as a Function of Pathophysiology
Bryan Frank, MD
     Advanced Auricular Therapy can greatly enhance the clinical outcomes seen in daily practice beyond that typically seen with casual or basic auriculotherapy. Key to these advanced techniques includes a thorough understanding and application of Nogier's Phases. Dr. Frank will present the Auricular Phases as an extension of pathophysiology commonly interpreted in daily conventional biomedicine. Without addressing a patient's clinical picture in a complete manner, optimal results should not be expected. He will present a systematic and logical approach to optimal clinical outcomes through diagnosis and treatment with Advanced Auricular Therapy. Course Objectives: 1. To understand the nature of pathophysiology as presented in the auricle. 2. To understand pathophysiology's presented in the three auricular Phases. 3. To recognize the multi-phase presentations of common structures in the auricle. Conclusion: Most auricular practitioners and teachers address the ear from a casual or basic approach. Much of the present literature embellishes these basic concepts without addressing advanced approaches that can lead to a significant improvement in clinical outcomes. A systematic and logical use of Nogier's Phases will dramatically enhance clinical outcomes.

2:30 –  
4:00 pm
Consensus on the Localization of Most Effective Auricular Reflex Points for Addiction and for Psychological or Stress-Related Disorders, Consensus Panel Discussion
     Ms. Bonnette, Dr. Ditson, Dr. Frank, Dr. Konefal, Dr. Meeker, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Shores, Dr. Smith, Dr. Soliman, and Dr. Sunderlage will all participate in this panel.
     Exchange of information regarding Oriental and Western approaches to auricular acupuncture for its application to addictions and to other psychological as well as physical disorders. There will be an intended emphasis toward an integration of evidence-based scientific and clinical perspectives from the different disciplines that utilize auriculotherapy, auricular acupuncture and auricular medicine. The direction of future clinical endeavors and research initiatives will be evaluated.