Ear Seed Therapy (Auriculotherapy) is a gentle, needle-free treatment that uses ear acupressure points to support natural healing. Applied by a licensed acupuncturist, ear seeds continue working for several days after your visit.

• EAR SEEDS MAY HELP SUPPORT
• STRESS & ANXIETY
• DIGESTIVE ISSUES & BLOATING
• MIGRAINES & HEADACHES
• NECK & BACK PAIN
• SCIATICA
• TMJ
• INSOMNIA
• HORMONE BALANCE
• PMS
• FOOD CRAVINGS
• SMOKING CESSATIONS
• OVERALL WELLNESS
• ALLERGIES
• INFLAMMATION
• CONSTIPATION
• WHAT ARE EAR SEEDS?
Ear seeds are tiny beads placed on precise acupuncture points on the outer ear using medical-grade adhesive. Unlike acupuncture needles, ear seeds remain in place for several days, allowing you to gently stimulate the points throughout the day simply by pressing on them.
Completely needle-free
Comfortable to wear
Safe for most people
Discreet and stylish
Continue working after your visit
A great addition to acupuncture treatments
At Healing with Zen, every ear seed appointment begins with an evaluation of your symptoms, health history, and treatment goals. Whether you're seeking relief from migraines, digestive concerns, stress, back pain, or hormonal imbalances, your treatment is tailored to address your unique needs — helping maximize the effectiveness of your ear seed therapy.
• CONDITIONS EAR SEED THERAPY MAY HELP SUPPORT YOU
Digestive Support
Ear seeds are commonly used alongside acupuncture to support digestion, reduce bloating, improve bowel regularity, and manage digestive discomfort.
Stress & Anxiety
Many patients find ear seeds promote a greater sense of calm and relaxation by stimulating points commonly used to support the nervous system.
Migraines & Headaches
Auriculotherapy may help reduce headache frequency and muscle tension while complementing your overall migraine treatment plan.
Neck & Back Pain
Ear acupressure is frequently used to support pain relief and muscle relaxation for patients experiencing chronic neck, shoulder, or back discomfort.
Research on ear acupressure for pain relief
Sleep Support
Many patients choose ear seeds to encourage relaxation and support more restful sleep.
Hormone Balance
Ear seeds are often incorporated into treatment plans for PMS, menopause, fertility support, and menstrual discomfort.
• HOW EAR SEED THERAPY WORKS
We'll discuss your health concerns and goals.
Specific acupuncture points are selected based on your symptoms.
Tiny adhesive ear seeds are comfortably placed on your ear — usually just a few minutes.
Seeds typically stay on 3–5 days. Press on them for several seconds as recommended to continue the effect.
• WHY PATIENTS LOVE EAR SEEDS
• QUESTIONS
Most ear seeds remain in place for approximately 3-5 days, though this can vary depending on your activity level and skin type.
Application is painless. You may notice mild tenderness when pressing on an active point, which is completely normal.
Yes. Simply pat the area dry afterward rather than rubbing it.
Absolutely. Most normal daily activities — including exercise — Can be continued while wearing ear seeds.
Some patients benefit from occasional treatments, while others include ear seeds as part of their regular wellness or acupuncture plan. We'll recommend a schedule based on your goals.
Certain ear points should be avoided during pregnancy. When applied by a licensed acupuncturist familiar with prenatal care, ear seeds can often be incorporated safely into an individualized treatment plan.
Not necessarily. Ear seeds can be beneficial on their own or combined with acupuncture for enhanced support.
• LEARN MORE
Watch Dr. Zen explain the science and traditional principles behind ear seed therapy.
At Healing with Zen in Pasadena, every ear seed treatment is customized to your health goals. Whether you're seeking natural support for digestion, migraines, stress, pain, hormones, or sleep, our licensed acupuncturists carefully select the ear points most appropriate for your unique needs.
• READY TO EXPERIENCE EAR SEED THERAPY?
Whether you're looking for relief from stress,
digestive issues, migraines, back pain, or sleep
concerns, we're here to help.
• EAR SEEDS FOR SPECIFIC HEALTH CONCERNS
Anxiety often shows up as a body that won't settle — racing thoughts, tight shoulders, a hard time winding down at night. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, specific points on the outer ear correspond to the nervous system and the body's stress response. Ear seeds placed on these points provide continuous, gentle pressure throughout the day, giving you a way to actively participate in calming your nervous system between acupuncture visits.
Many patients use ear seeds for anxiety alongside a broader treatment plan that may include full-body acupuncture, herbal support, and lifestyle guidance. Because ear seeds stay in place for several days, they offer ongoing support during the moments — a stressful meeting, a hard conversation, a sleepless night — when you need it most. If anxiety is a primary concern, we'll map your ear seed placement specifically around calming and nervous-system points as part of your acupuncture for stress and anxiety plan.
Bloating, sluggish digestion, and irregular bowel habits are some of the most common reasons patients come to us — and ear seeds are frequently paired with acupuncture to support this system specifically. Points on the ear associated with digestive function can help support healthy digestion, reduce occasional bloating, and encourage more regular bowel movements when used consistently.
Ear seeds for digestion work especially well as a between-visit companion: rather than waiting for your next appointment, you can gently press your seeds after a heavy meal or during a stressful stretch when digestion tends to slow down. This approach pairs naturally with our whole-food digestive supplements — if food sensitivities or bloating are a recurring issue, ask about combining ear seeds with our digestive health consultation for a more complete plan.
Migraines and tension headaches often involve a cycle of muscle tension, stress, and nervous system overactivation — and ear seeds target points associated with each of these. Auriculotherapy may help reduce headache frequency and ease the muscular tension in the head, neck, and jaw that frequently accompanies migraine episodes.
Because ear seeds continue working between appointments, they're a useful complement to an ongoing migraine treatment plan rather than a standalone fix — many patients find the combination of regular acupuncture and continuous ear seed stimulation offers more consistent support than either alone. If migraines are frequent or severe, we'll build your ear seed placement into a broader migraine and headache treatment plan.
Chronic neck, shoulder, and back discomfort responds well to consistent, gentle stimulation — which is exactly what ear seeds provide. Ear acupressure points corresponding to pain relief and muscle relaxation can be selected based on where you're experiencing discomfort, whether that's a stiff neck from desk work, chronic low back tension, or sciatica running down the leg.
Unlike a single acupuncture session, ear seeds keep working for days at a time, so you have a way to press into relief whenever tension flares — during a long drive, after a workout, or at the end of a demanding workday. For ongoing or severe pain, ear seeds are typically combined with regular acupuncture as part of a full pain management treatment plan.
Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep is one of the most common concerns we treat, and ear seeds offer a simple way to support relaxation right before bed. Specific ear points are associated with calming the mind and body, and many patients build a small nightly ritual around pressing their seeds as part of a wind-down routine.
Because sleep issues are often tied to stress, hormonal shifts, or an overactive nervous system, ear seeds for sleep are usually most effective when paired with a broader look at what's disrupting your rest. If insomnia has become a pattern rather than an occasional bad night, we'll incorporate ear seeds into a more complete sleep support treatment plan.
Food cravings and appetite regulation are influenced by more than willpower — stress, hormones, and habitual patterns all play a role. Ear seeds are commonly used on points associated with appetite and craving control, giving patients a physical touchpoint to pause and reset in the moment a craving hits, rather than acting on it automatically.
Ear seeds are also a well-known complementary tool for smoking cessation, using the same principle of a physical pressure point to interrupt an automatic urge. On their own, ear seeds aren't a weight-loss treatment — but as part of a broader plan involving acupuncture, herbal support, and nutrition guidance, they can be a useful piece of the puzzle for patients working on cravings, appetite, or habit change.
Serving Pasadena, La Cañada, San Marino, Arcadia, South Pasadena, Glendale, and Sierra Madre since 2013.
Ear seed therapy is a complementary treatment intended to support overall wellness. Individual results may vary. This is not a substitute for medical advice — please consult your healthcare provider regarding any medical condition.