Ear seeds
Tiny seeds on the ear, for between visits
Ear seeds are small seeds on adhesive dots, placed on points on the outer ear. You press them for a minute a few times a day. They use no needles and come off easily.
Who usually comes
People who want something to do between visits, and people for whom needles are a worry. Ear seeds are often a first step.
What a visit is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We talk
Your acupuncturist asks about your day and what you take, and chooses a few ear points.
- 02
Step 2: We clean the ear
A gentle wipe, so the dots stick.
- 03
Step 3: Seeds go on
Three to five seeds on one ear, or both. They stay put through showers.
- 04
Step 4: You press them
A minute at a time, a few times a day. Press firmly, never so hard that it hurts.
- 05
Step 5: They come off
After three to five days, or sooner if they bother you. Peel them off and throw them away.
Tell us first
Tell us first, so we can plan around it
Say so when you book, and again at the visit. None of these means no. They change what we do.
You are allergic to tape or adhesive
We use a different dot, or skip them.
You have an ear infection or broken skin on the ear
We wait until it has cleared.
You are pregnant, or might be
We leave out some ear points. Check with your OB or midwife first.
Needles worry you
Good: ear seeds use none. Tell us anyway, so we plan the rest of the visit around it.
You wear earbuds or a hearing aid
Say so, and we choose a place that stays clear of them.
Your skin is sensitive
Take the seeds off if the skin turns red or itchy, and call us.
How it ends, and what it does not do
What you may feel afterward
Most people notice a mild pressure when they press a seed, and nothing otherwise. A little redness where the dot sat is common and fades.
How many visits people plan for
People usually get a fresh set at each visit. There is no set number, and results vary.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor instead
Ear seeds don't replace your doctor's care. If your ear becomes painful, swollen or drains, take the seeds off and call your doctor.
Book a first visit
Bring the list from your doctor's office. Fees are explained before you book.