The 5 Point Ear Protocol (aka NADA) & The Many Benefits

Written By Kelly Hamilton

Let’s talk about a standardized auricular (ear) acupuncture protocol known as NADA (National Acupuncture Detox Association).

Firstly, how did it come about? Why is it called NADA?

The protocol was created in response to the opioid epidemic in the 1970’s with the guidance of emerging research being done in China with Auricular acupuncture for pain relief. The 5 needle protocol was created and standardized in 1979, and by 1985 the National Acupuncture Detox Association was established to support the treatment of mental health and addiction and streamline care for an overwhelming public health problem affecting a large number of people.

The research on its effectiveness is extensive for addictions/substance use, mental health, behavioural issues, sleep, PTSD, chronic stress and trauma.

I prefer to call this the 5 Point Protocol instead of NADA because while this protocol is highly effective for addiction and related symptoms, truly these points together do SO much more than treat addiction. The term 5-Point Protocol (not coined by me) opens the door for this treatment to be used to support a wider range of conditions!

What are the points used?

There are 5 points used in the protocol, as the colloquial name I prefer (5 Point Protocol) suggests ;). Sometimes they are done on only 1 ear, and sometimes on both. The length of time can vary person to person and treatment to treatment.

The 5 Point Ear Protocol

The points are:

  • The Lung Point

  • The Liver Point

  • The Kidney Point

  • Shen Men (Heart)

  • Sympathetic Point

What are the functions of each point?

To explain how this protocol can be used to support a wide range of conditions, it’s useful to dive into what each point does. In auricular acupuncture, the ear is looked at as a microsystem of the body. Mapped onto the ear is a fetus, similar to how the homunculus of the nervous system is mapped onto the motor cortex and sensory cortex of the brain, and each area relates to a part of the body.

The picture of this microsystem is depicted on the image to the right (Oleson, 2002).

The Lung Point

This was the first point studied in the creation of this protocol for withdrawal symptoms. It functions as an analgesic, or pain management point.

As its name suggests, it is linked to the Lung. The Lung in the theory underlying acupuncture (namely Chinese Medicine) has functions that resemble what the Lung does in Western anatomy/physiology, but also a few more functions.

Relevant Aspects of The Lung in Acupuncture Theory:

  • Associated with the emotion of grief

  • Breathing in Air qi

  • Moves qi and blood as part of our circulation

  • Associated with the skin

The Lung Point of the ear can treat:

  • cough

  • issues of the skin and sweating

  • hoarseness

  • pain

The Liver Point

This point is crucial as a part of the protocol as the Liver in acupuncture theory has many functions related to overall wellbeing, and is especially relevant here to emotional health.

Relevant Aspects of The Liver in Acupuncture Theory:

  • Associated with the emotion of anger

  • Responsible for the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the body

  • Regulates emotions

  • Supports decision making

The Liver Point of the ear can treat:

  • Chest tightness

  • Pain in tendons/muscles

  • Liver qi stagnation pattern: mood swings, frequent sighing, irritability, pain

The Kidney Point

There is no organ in acupuncture theory that is unimportant of course, but the Kidney might take the cake as really being the Origin of our wellbeing. Much of our constitutional wellbeing originates here, and it governs much to do with our health and wellness. It is also associated with fear, a common emotion that is associated with the many things that the 5 Point Protocol has been proven to support.

Relevant Aspects of The Kidney in Acupuncture Theory:

  • Associated with the emotion of fear (and also wisdom)

  • Responsible for ageing, reproduction, and is the root of our Essence, Yin & Yang - our vitality

  • Stores our Will Power (Zhi)

  • Associated with our long term memory & our marrow (in Chinese Medicine this term is linked to bones, but also is more linked to the brain than we would say in Western Medicine)

The Kidney Point of the ear can treat:

  • Headaches

  • Insomnia

  • Dizziness

  • Supporting the brain/marrow

  • Hormonal support

  • Chronic health conditions

Shen Men (of the Ear)

This point is widely used in a lot of different approaches to ear acupuncture. Its direct translation is “Spirit Gate”. The term “shen” refers to the Spirit in Chinese Medicine that resides in the heart. This spirit is most closely associated with our consciousness in western thought. It houses so much of who we are, and is related to our memory. The Shen of the heart is important for our sense of identity and our ability to connect.

Relevant Aspects of The Shen:

  • Associated with the Heart & housed in the Heart

  • Closely associated to our consciousness and sense of self

  • Related to our memory

  • Fosters connection

  • Important to have a rooted “shen” for sleep

The Shen Men (Spirit Gate) of the ear can treat:

  • Insomnia

  • Panic

  • Anxiety

  • Forgetfulness/memory issues

  • Stress

The Sympathetic Point

As its name suggests, this point is supportive to regulation of the Sympathetic (and Parasympathetic) nervous systems.

Relevant Aspects of The Sympathetic Nervous System:

  • Regulates our breathing

  • Governs our stress response

  • Parasympathetic/sympathetic balance allows us to respond to stressors OR rest and relax

  • An overactive sympathetic nervous system that does not downregulate and allow for a parasympathetic state can lead to chronic stress responses in the body

The Sympathetic Point and relevant things it treats:

  • Appropriate stress response

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Muscle relaxation

  • Panic disorders

  • Regulating the nervous system (typically downregulation into parasympathetic states)

If any of the actions of the above 5 points speak to you, this protocol may support you in feeling better in your body and finding balance in your emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

REFERENCES:

Carter, K., & Olshan-Perlmutter, M. (2014). NADA protocol: Integrative acupuncture in addictions. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 25(4), 182–187. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000045

Cheng, X. (Ed.). (1999). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion. Foreign Languages Press.

Oleson, Terry. (2002). Auriculotherapy stimulation for neuro-rehabilitation. NeuroRehabilitation. 17. 49-62. 10.3233/NRE-2002-17107.






Kelly Hamilton
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