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The history of acupuncture

The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, "needle", and pungere, "to prick".  Acupuncture is generally held to have originated in China, being first mentioned in documents dating from a few hundred years leading up to the Common Era. Sharpened stones and bones that date from about 10000-4000 BCE have been interpreted as instruments for acupuncture treatment, but they may simply have been used as surgical instruments for drawing blood or lancing abscesses.
The first document that unequivocally described an organized system of diagnosis and treatment which is recognized as acupuncture is The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.  The information is presented in the form of questions by the Emperor. He raises the following questions: Why do people yawn? Why do people sneeze? How do dreams develop? Why can’t old people have children?  
The concepts of channels (meridians or conduits in which the Qi (vital energy or life force) flowed are well established by this time, though the precise anatomical locations of acupuncture points developed later.
Acupuncture continued to be developed over the centuries and gradually became one of the standard therapies used in China, alongside herbs, massage and diet. The first document about acupuncture in Hungary was written by Dr. Antal Láner in 1847.

The philosophy of acupuncture

The philosophy of acupuncture is rooted in the Taoist tradition. The people of ancient times often meditated and observed man's relations with nature and the universe. Through this observation, they formulated the yin-yang symbols, a broken line and unbroken line. These symbols represent opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Any upset in this balance will result in illnesses.
Taoist theology emphasizes nature, human relations, vitality and peace. According to this philosophy people should not encroach to normal ways of life, people should seek harmony.

The anatomy of acupuncture

Traditional Chinese acupuncture uses needles to heal all kinds of illnesses and to ease pain. There are 361 main points of acupuncture, Twelve Regular Meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body and Eight Extraordinary Channels. There are also two unpaired midline Meridians.
The body's vital energy, Qi, circulates through the body along the meridians. Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, the emotional, the mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur.

Acupuncture in practice
During an acupuncture treatment needles are inserted into the acupoints. These acupuncture points are real and existing ones. All the points have the energetic, the anatomical and the metabolic trait. From the anatomic view point not only the construction of the acupuncture points are important but the location of them as well. The largest acupoints can be found at the body and limb, while the smallest ones are at the ear.

The main characteristic of the acupuncture points

during illnesses they are painful
sensitive to pressure
their electric resistance is decreased
they behave like breathing points (CO2  emission is increased)

According to Professor  Kellner the number of nerve endings are much bigger in acupuncture points. 

History of Ear  acupuncture

Auriculotherapy, also known as ear acupuncture, is a medical technique that was discovered and developed by Dr. Paul Nogier. Nowadays Johannes Levich  Austrian ear acupuncturist examines the acupoints and ear acupuncture itself. According to Nogier every point on the ear corresponds to a well defined part of the body. The theory behind the practice includes understanding of how the shape and form of the ear relates very closely to the shape of a developing baby in the uterus and assume very similar characteristics with regard to formation. This representation can be translated into the transference of anatomy within the foetus to the corresponding point of the ear. For example the head of such a baby is represented by the ear lobe, so disorders of the head can be treated by the corresponding point on the ear lobe as this is in the same position as the head of a baby that is lying in a head-down position in the womb which is the most common foetal position..

There are 127 acupuncture points in the outer ear. It should be noted that acupuncture needles are never inserted into the auditory canal, an ear acupuncturist’s workspace is the auricle or fleshy cartilage of the outer ear.
Auricular acupuncture is thought to be effective in treating back pain, shingles, stress and anxiety, many psychological problems such as insomnia and addiction to drugs, alcohol and smoking.

Ear acupuncture in practice

For most people, the thought of receiving acupuncture is usually worse than the actual experience as the needles used are extremely fine and are inserted so quickly that they are barely felt. It is true that more sensation is felt after the needle has been inserted as the channels of energy are unblocked or encouraged to flow freely.
Before inserting the needles the patient’s ears are cleansed with an alcohol swab. Once inserted, the needles stay in their position for 20-40 minutes. During the treatment the needles are stimulated by twiddling. Patients should be advised not to walk around with needles in their ears.