Patient Handouts

Ear Acupuncture

So, you have been given some ear needles to wear for a couple of days hey. Weird stuff, right?!

I know it’s strange medicine, but I wanted to assure you that ear needling is a very well-respected part of the Chinese medicine tool kit. I wrote a blog about it once. It’s actually a blog for students of Chinese medicine but you can check it out if you want here.

FAQ’s

Please read the following FAQs about the take away ear needles we use at AAC.

How long do I leave ear needles in?

Ear needles are very safe and may be left in place for days. Although 7 days is maximum, we usually recommend that ear needles are removed after 3 days. This reduces the risk of irritation or infection.

How do I remove ear needles?

This is very easy. Your ear needle is held in place between two pieces of medical tape. This tape is very sticky. To remove the needle, simply pull the tape off the ear. As the needle is secured between two pieces of tape, removing all the tape ensures that the needle is removed as well.

How do I dispose of ear needles?

Ear needles are medical devices and should be disposed of properly. First, roll the tape up into a ball. You can place used ear pins into a glass jar and return them to clinic for disposal or throw them directly into the rubbish bin yourself. Most important thing is that used ear needles are not left lying around the house for someone to step on.

What if my ear needle is hurting?

Ear needles are designed to be retained for long periods of time. They are made of high quality surgical steel and are very low irritant. It is normal for ear pins to hurt a little if you knock them with your mobile phone or lay on them during sleep. This kind of discomfort is usually very mild and should pass quickly. However, if the discomfort doesn’t pass quickly, or the ear begins to hurt without being knocked then you should remove all ear needles immediately.

What do I do if my ear gets infected?

This is very unlikely but if it does happen, the first thing to do is to remove the ear needle. This will usually reduce any irritation quickly and allow the ear to heal. It is recommended that the ear be cleaned with an antiseptic solution for several days until the irritation or infection has resolved. If you would prefer someone else to look after your ear, please come into the clinic and we will do it for you.

Can I wash my hair?

Yes, you can. Ear needles usually stick very well to the skin. Once they have been in place for more than 30 minutes, ear needles will usually stay in place till they are peeled off. That said, it is best not to soak ear pins with water as this can cause them to lift off. A splash of water is ok. So, if you are careful, you can easily wash your hair while being treated with ear needles.

Can I play sport?

Yes, you can. It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming. If these sports can’t be avoided, then remove needles before engaging in the sport.
Thank you for reading about ear needles. Good luck, you should be feeling better soon. If you have any questions about your ear needles, or anything to do with your treatment with the Australian Acupuncture Centre, please feel free to contact us.

See you in clinic again soon,

Paul McLeod
Senior acupuncturist
MPET; B. A. (Hons); B. H. Sc. (Acu); Ad. Dip. App. Sc. (Acu);
Dip. Rem. Mass.; Dip. Rem. Therap;
Member AACMA 1332; Registered Acupuncturist (AHPRA)

So, you have been given some ear needles to wear for a couple of days hey. Weird stuff, right?!

I know it’s strange medicine, but I wanted to assure you that ear needling is a very well-respected part of the Chinese medicine tool kit. I wrote a blog about it once. It’s actually a blog for students of Chinese medicine but you can check it out if you want here.

FAQ’s

Please read the following FAQs about the take away ear needles we use at AAC.

How long do I leave ear needles in?

Ear needles are very safe and may be left in place for days. Although 7 days is maximum, we usually recommend that ear needles are removed after 3 days. This reduces the risk of irritation or infection.

How do I remove ear needles?

This is very easy. Your ear needle is held in place between two pieces of medical tape. This tape is very sticky. To remove the needle, simply pull the tape off the ear. As the needle is secured between two pieces of tape, removing all the tape ensures that the needle is removed as well.

How do I dispose of ear needles?

Ear needles are medical devices and should be disposed of properly. First, roll the tape up into a ball. You can place used ear pins into a glass jar and return them to clinic for disposal or throw them directly into the rubbish bin yourself. Most important thing is that used ear needles are not left lying around the house for someone to step on.

What if my ear needle is hurting?

Ear needles are designed to be retained for long periods of time. They are made of high quality surgical steel and are very low irritant. It is normal for ear pins to hurt a little if you knock them with your mobile phone or lay on them during sleep. This kind of discomfort is usually very mild and should pass quickly. However, if the discomfort doesn’t pass quickly, or the ear begins to hurt without being knocked then you should remove all ear needles immediately.

What do I do if my ear gets infected?

This is very unlikely but if it does happen, the first thing to do is to remove the ear needle. This will usually reduce any irritation quickly and allow the ear to heal. It is recommended that the ear be cleaned with an antiseptic solution for several days until the irritation or infection has resolved. If you would prefer someone else to look after your ear, please come into the clinic and we will do it for you.

Can I wash my hair?

Yes, you can. Ear needles usually stick very well to the skin. Once they have been in place for more than 30 minutes, ear needles will usually stay in place till they are peeled off. That said, it is best not to soak ear pins with water as this can cause them to lift off. A splash of water is ok. So, if you are careful, you can easily wash your hair while being treated with ear needles.

Can I play sport?

Yes, you can. It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming. If these sports can’t be avoided, then remove needles before engaging in the sport.
Thank you for reading about ear needles. Good luck, you should be feeling better soon. If you have any questions about your ear needles, or anything to do with your treatment with the Australian Acupuncture Centre, please feel free to contact us.

See you in clinic again soon,

Paul McLeod
Senior acupuncturist
MPET; B. A. (Hons); B. H. Sc. (Acu); Ad. Dip. App. Sc. (Acu);
Dip. Rem. Mass.; Dip. Rem. Therap;
Member AACMA 1332; Registered Acupuncturist (AHPRA)

So, you have been given some ear needles to wear for a couple of days hey. Weird stuff, right?!

I know it’s strange medicine, but I wanted to assure you that ear needling is a very well-respected part of the Chinese medicine tool kit. I wrote a blog about it once. It’s actually a blog for students of Chinese medicine but you can check it out if you want here.

FAQ’s

Please read the following FAQs about the take away ear needles we use at AAC.

How long do I leave ear needles in?

Ear needles are very safe and may be left in place for days. Although 7 days is maximum, we usually recommend that ear needles are removed after 3 days. This reduces the risk of irritation or infection.

How do I remove ear needles?

This is very easy. Your ear needle is held in place between two pieces of medical tape. This tape is very sticky. To remove the needle, simply pull the tape off the ear. As the needle is secured between two pieces of tape, removing all the tape ensures that the needle is removed as well.

How do I dispose of ear needles?

Ear needles are medical devices and should be disposed of properly. First, roll the tape up into a ball. You can place used ear pins into a glass jar and return them to clinic for disposal or throw them directly into the rubbish bin yourself. Most important thing is that used ear needles are not left lying around the house for someone to step on.

What if my ear needle is hurting?

Ear needles are designed to be retained for long periods of time. They are made of high quality surgical steel and are very low irritant. It is normal for ear pins to hurt a little if you knock them with your mobile phone or lay on them during sleep. This kind of discomfort is usually very mild and should pass quickly. However, if the discomfort doesn’t pass quickly, or the ear begins to hurt without being knocked then you should remove all ear needles immediately.

What do I do if my ear gets infected?

This is very unlikely but if it does happen, the first thing to do is to remove the ear needle. This will usually reduce any irritation quickly and allow the ear to heal. It is recommended that the ear be cleaned with an antiseptic solution for several days until the irritation or infection has resolved. If you would prefer someone else to look after your ear, please come into the clinic and we will do it for you.

Can I wash my hair?

Yes, you can. Ear needles usually stick very well to the skin. Once they have been in place for more than 30 minutes, ear needles will usually stay in place till they are peeled off. That said, it is best not to soak ear pins with water as this can cause them to lift off. A splash of water is ok. So, if you are careful, you can easily wash your hair while being treated with ear needles.

Can I play sport?

Yes, you can. It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming. If these sports can’t be avoided, then remove needles before engaging in the sport.
Thank you for reading about ear needles. Good luck, you should be feeling better soon. If you have any questions about your ear needles, or anything to do with your treatment with the Australian Acupuncture Centre, please feel free to contact us.

See you in clinic again soon,

Paul McLeod
Senior acupuncturist
MPET; B. A. (Hons); B. H. Sc. (Acu); Ad. Dip. App. Sc. (Acu);
Dip. Rem. Mass.; Dip. Rem. Therap;
Member AACMA 1332; Registered Acupuncturist (AHPRA)

So, you have been given some ear needles to wear for a couple of days hey. Weird stuff, right?!

I know it’s strange medicine, but I wanted to assure you that ear needling is a very well-respected part of the Chinese medicine tool kit. I wrote a blog about it once. It’s actually a blog for students of Chinese medicine but you can check it out if you want here.

FAQ’s

Please read the following FAQs about the take away ear needles we use at AAC.

How long do I leave ear needles in?

Ear needles are very safe and may be left in place for days. Although 7 days is maximum, we usually recommend that ear needles are removed after 3 days. This reduces the risk of irritation or infection.

How do I remove ear needles?

This is very easy. Your ear needle is held in place between two pieces of medical tape. This tape is very sticky. To remove the needle, simply pull the tape off the ear. As the needle is secured between two pieces of tape, removing all the tape ensures that the needle is removed as well.

How do I dispose of ear needles?

Ear needles are medical devices and should be disposed of properly. First, roll the tape up into a ball. You can place used ear pins into a glass jar and return them to clinic for disposal or throw them directly into the rubbish bin yourself. Most important thing is that used ear needles are not left lying around the house for someone to step on.

What if my ear needle is hurting?

Ear needles are designed to be retained for long periods of time. They are made of high quality surgical steel and are very low irritant. It is normal for ear pins to hurt a little if you knock them with your mobile phone or lay on them during sleep. This kind of discomfort is usually very mild and should pass quickly. However, if the discomfort doesn’t pass quickly, or the ear begins to hurt without being knocked then you should remove all ear needles immediately.

What do I do if my ear gets infected?

This is very unlikely but if it does happen, the first thing to do is to remove the ear needle. This will usually reduce any irritation quickly and allow the ear to heal. It is recommended that the ear be cleaned with an antiseptic solution for several days until the irritation or infection has resolved. If you would prefer someone else to look after your ear, please come into the clinic and we will do it for you.

Can I wash my hair?

Yes, you can. Ear needles usually stick very well to the skin. Once they have been in place for more than 30 minutes, ear needles will usually stay in place till they are peeled off. That said, it is best not to soak ear pins with water as this can cause them to lift off. A splash of water is ok. So, if you are careful, you can easily wash your hair while being treated with ear needles.

Can I play sport?

Yes, you can. It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming. If these sports can’t be avoided, then remove needles before engaging in the sport.
Thank you for reading about ear needles. Good luck, you should be feeling better soon. If you have any questions about your ear needles, or anything to do with your treatment with the Australian Acupuncture Centre, please feel free to contact us.

See you in clinic again soon,

Paul McLeod
Senior acupuncturist
MPET; B. A. (Hons); B. H. Sc. (Acu); Ad. Dip. App. Sc. (Acu);
Dip. Rem. Mass.; Dip. Rem. Therap;
Member AACMA 1332; Registered Acupuncturist (AHPRA)