NADA Ear Acupuncture as a Take Home Wellness Support

Auricular Point Locations

If you received ear seeds during your visit, here is a simple guide to help you understand the points commonly used and where they are located. These five points work together to support emotional balance, detoxification, and nervous system regulation.

1. Shen Men

Location: At the upper, triangular area of the ear known as the triangular fossa.
What it supports: Shen Men translates to “Spirit Gate.” It is one of the most calming points on the body. This point helps quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and uplift the spirit. It enhances the effects of all other points.

2. Sympathetic

Location: On the inner ridge where the ear meets the face (the junction of the concha and helix root) following the path of the lower part of the antihelix crus. 
What it supports: This point helps reset the fight or flight response. It relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, reduces physical tension, and eases pain. It is deeply calming for those experiencing stress, overwhelm, or emotional activation.

3. Kidney

Location: On the upper portion of the cymba concha, under the ridge of the antihelix
What it supports: The kidney point is grounding and nourishing. It helps with fears, depletion, fatigue, and overall resilience. It supports the adrenal system and restores foundational energy.

4. Liver

Location: On the concha ridge of the ear, where the helix root (the outer rim of the ear) meets the cymba concha
What it supports: This point helps regulate the flow of Qi, reduce irritability, soothe stress, and support detoxification. It is often used for mood swings, frustration, and emotional tension

5. Lung

Location: in the hemiconcha inferior, the lower, inner part of the ear's cartilage.
What it supports: The lung point helps release grief and sadness, open the chest, and support healthy respiration. Emotionally, it assists in letting go and restoring a sense of openness and ease.

A Small Tool With a Big Impact

Ear seeds and the NADA protocol offer a simple way to stay connected to your healing, even when life gets hectic. Think of them as a gentle reminder that your body knows how to return to balance. You are simply giving it a nudge.

If you have questions or want a fresh application of ear seeds, feel free to reach out or mention it during your next visit. I’m honored to support your wellness journey one point at a time.

Additional Resources

• Mia Donovan captured the groundbreaking work of the Lincoln Detox activists in Dope Is Death

• Eana Meng created a series of videos (trailer and two part series) for the Harvard Asia Center on the lesser known history of the use of acupuncture by Black revolutionaries of the 1970s and modern day practitioners in all different settings — from recovery clinics to prisons.

• Article from The Bronx Ink - “Bronx acupuncture center for addiction fighting to survive”

• Freedom Archives - Historical document database including publications from White Lightning

• National Acupuncture Detoxification Association - an organization that trains people in the NADA protocol to treat trauma, substance misuse, abuse, and mental health conditions.

Many of you who receive treatment with me experience NADA ear acupuncture or ear seeds during your session. This gentle yet powerful method supports the mind and body in returning to balance. What many people don’t realize is that this approach comes from a rich lineage of community care, activism, and accessible healing.

A Brief History of the NADA Protocol

The NADA ear acupuncture protocol has its roots in the groundbreaking work of the Lincoln Hospital Recovery Center in the Bronx (aka Lincoln Detox). In 1971, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, D.Ac., worked alongside health activists from the Black Panthers, Young Lords, and White Lightning to create a community based acupuncture program that supported people experiencing substance use disorders and mental health challenges. This was the first time a standardized ear acupuncture system was used for addiction and emotional wellness in a clinical setting.

Dr. Shakur and his team also established the first Patient’s Bill of Rights and founded the first acupuncture school in North America, laying the foundation for acupuncture accessibility in the United States.

In 1985, psychiatrist Dr. Michael Smith founded the NADA organization and continued this community centered mission. As medical director of the Lincoln Hospital Recovery Center, he preserved Dr. Shakur’s pioneering work while expanding education and training so more practitioners could bring these benefits to their communities.

Today, the NADA protocol is used worldwide because it is simple, effective, and deeply grounding.

What Is the NADA Protocol?

The NADA protocol is a five point ear acupuncture system that helps support emotional balance, stress relief, detoxification, and overall wellness. It is widely used in community clinics, recovery centers, hospitals, and wellness practices because these points work together to calm the nervous system and create space for the body to restore itself.

The five points work together to help:

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Support sleep

• Calm the mind and emotions

• Ease cravings and overwhelm

• Promote a sense of clarity and inner steadiness

Whether used alone or alongside full body acupuncture, these points help create space for the body to heal itself.

What Are Ear Seeds?

Ear seeds are small pellets made of stainless steel, gold, or vaccaria plant seeds placed on specific points of the ear with a tiny piece of adhesive tape. They are not needles and do not puncture the skin. Instead, they gently stimulate the points throughout the day.

This makes them a perfect take home supplement between treatments. You can think of them as a bridge that continues to support your healing journey until your next session.

How Ear Seeds Support You After Your Appointment

When you leave your session with ear seeds in place, you can continue receiving therapeutic stimulation for several days. This helps extend the benefits of your treatment and offers real time support for:

• Stressful moments

• Emotional triggers or overwhelm

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Cravings or habits you’re working to shift

• Pain, tension, or headaches

• Grounding during your day

By mindfully pressing the seeds a few times throughout the day, you activate the points and remind your nervous system to soften and reset.

How to Care for Your Ear Seeds

To get the most from your ear seeds, try the following:

• Keep them dry for the first 24 hours.

• Gently press each seed for 3 to 5 seconds throughout the day, especially during stressful moments.

• You may feel a slight tenderness at a point. This is normal and often a sign of an active area.

• Ear seeds typically stay on for 3 to 5 days. Remove them sooner if they become uncomfortable or itchy.

• Allow your ears to rest for a day or two before applying new seeds.

What You May Notice

Everyone responds differently, but many people report:

• A calmer emotional baseline

• Better sleep

• Reduced anxiety and stress

• Less irritability

• Fewer cravings

• A clearer, more grounded mental state

Even when subtle, the cumulative effect can be profound.

When to Use Ear Seeds Between Sessions

Ear seeds can be especially helpful if you are working on:

• Stress management

• Emotional processing

• Recovery support

• Sleep regulation

• Chronic pain

• Nervous system regulation

• Hormonal transitions

• Preparing for or integrating acupuncture treatments

They are also a wonderful tool for anyone who needs a moment of grounding in a busy or stressful environment.