Then, armed with this information, the acupuncturist would devise a treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points. Although the Chinese developed the system of auricular (ear) acupuncture a long time ago, as one of the various Microsystems of the body containing all the points relating to the major organs and body parts, a Frenchman by the name of Nogier, discovered many more acupuncture points on the ear that pertain to Western medicine such as points called "Adrenal", "Pituitary", "FSH", "Ovary", "Thyroid", etc.

 

Many of the points from both ear acupuncture systems that are important for weight loss treatments are:

 Mouth - for the impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot

 Stomach - for the person who eats even after they're full or who's constantly nibbling

 Hungry - for general appetite control

 Lung - for food addicts, and people who love chocolate, sweets

 Shenmen - a calming point, for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration, insecurity

 Endocrine - for water retention that's responsible for some of the weight gain

 Adrenal and Ovary - if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.

 Spleen - for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances

 Kidney - for water retention, and nervous system and hormonal imbalances

 Thyroid - for slow metabolism

 

The practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending upon the patient's problem and personality profile regarding overeating. Next, body points would be selected.

 

During the first few treatments, most likely the "Four Gate" points (LI 4, Liver3) would be used to circulate the energy throughout the body and calm the nervous system. Ren 12, the front collecting point of the stomach energy would be chosen for many treatments, as would Stomach 36, three inches distal to the eye of the knee that tonifies the energy and helps circulate oxygen and blood of the whole body and of the stomach in particular. Then, based on the diagnosis, the practitioner may add Stomach, 40, the master point for mucous, or Kidney 7 or 10 for edema or water retention.

 

The acupuncturist may use electro stimulation on some of these acupuncture points to increase the endorphin release and stimulate the metabolism. The needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five minutes depending on how much support was needed for the patient, and after the needles are removed, ear tacs with adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it works is this: when the patient feels an urge to eat, s/he applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about resisting the temptation to eat. The patient removes the tacs at home after three days and throws them away or takes them out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person or food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between meals.