Can something as simple as an ear staple help patients lose weight or quit smoking?
Dr. Shelly Schochenmeier, a certified chiropractor acupuncturist at Advanced Pain and Balance Center, said it can when done correctly.
"We use a surgical stainless steel staple to activate specific acupuncture points in the ear," said Schochenmeier, who received training in acupuncture from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn. "Those points help control cravings for food, sugar or nicotine - it depends what your goal is."
Ear stapling, a form of acupuncture that is fast becoming one of the most sought after methods for weight loss and smoking cessation, is nothing new. It has been around for more than 20 years, but it has been more popular across the South, in states such as Texas, California, Florida, New Mexico and Arizona. Advanced Pain and Balance Center, located at the Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City, has been practicing the technique since July and was the first place in the tri-state area to use it.
People are also reading…
Acupuncture, which ear stapling is based on, has been around for much longer. Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese practice of piercing specific areas of the body (acupoints) along peripheral nerves with fine needles to relieve pain, to induce surgical anesthesia, and for therapeutic purposes.
The practice of ear stapling involves strategically placing a small surgical stainless steel staple in the inner cartilage of the ear to target certain pressure points. Schochenmeier said she relies on her knowledge of acupuncture and uses an acu-locator to help her find the most sensitive area in everyone's ear, which differs by individual.
The staples last about two to three months, then they are taken out for a while to give the ear a chance to heal and put back in again if the patient requests it. The points stapled work together to reduce your overall appetite, sugar cravings, tension, stress and headaches.
"The ear staple we place for smoking cessation greatly reduces your cravings and makes you reject the smell and taste of cigarette smoke," she said.
The staple works by applying pressure to the reflex points in the ear. It sends a signal to the brain that you are satisfied and eliminates cravings for food, sugar and tobacco.
"It has to do with imbalance and energy in the body," she said. "By targeting the right points when ear stapling, we will stimulate correct energy patterns."
Schochenmeier said the sensation of getting your ears stapled is similar to having your ears pierced. Some patients say that it hurts for a few minutes and then subsides, and others say it does not hurt at all.
"Each person is different in how they respond to the staple," she said.
The average weight loss for women is one to four pounds per week and for men it's two to six pounds per week. The more you weigh, the more quickly you will lose. Experience shows up to an 85 percent to 90 percent success rate with weight loss and 80 percent for smoking.
"We're seeing over 25 pound weight loss in a two month period," she said. "Those who are serious and add a healthy diet and exercise to their regimen may see much greater results."
Teresa Bokemper of Correctionville, Iowa, has tried ear stapling to lose some weight. In the two months she has had the staples in, she has lost 22 pounds. And that's without changing her diet or exercising.
"The ear stapling has definitely curbed my cravings. I used to have a candy bar three times a week and now I just have one every two weeks and I'm satisfied."
She said she is so happy with the results that she plans to have ear stapling done again.
Ear stapling is one of many services offered by Advanced Pain and Balance Center, a complete chiropractic center that treats everything from ear infections in infants to arthritis in the elderly. In addition, it is a complete rehabilitation center offering cold laser therapy, spinal decompression and aqua massage.
With Christmas fast approaching, gift certificates from Advanced Pain and Balance Center make a great stocking stuffer. Advanced Pain and Balance Center is located at 4400 Sergeant Road in the Southern Hills Mall. For more information about ear stapling and other services offered at Advanced Pain and Balance Center, call (712) 274-6202.
