Manipulations
The ear acupoints are sterilized routinely with 2% iodine and 75 % alcohol. The acupuncturist holds the auricle with the left hand and swiftly inserts the filiform needle of 0.5 cun or pin-like needle with the right hand into the depth of the cartilage, avoiding penetration through the ear. The usual sensations are pain, or distension or burning. The needles are usually retained for 20 - 30 minutes. But chronic diseases, the needles may be retained for a longer period, and during which the needles can be manipulated at intervals.
Pin-like needles are fixed into the acupoints with adhesive tapes and can be retained for 2 - 3 days. After the needle is withdrawn, the punctured acupoint is pressed with a sterilized dry cotton ball to avoid bleeding. Such a treatment is given once a day or once every other day. Ten times make up one course of treatment. There is an interval of 5 - 7 days between two courses of treatment.
Apart from needling, auricular-plaster therapy is also a commonly used therapy in clinical treatment. Method. The skin is sterilized routinely. Small granular drugs, such as Wangbuliuxingzi (Semen Vaccariae), are fixed onto the ear acupoints with adhesive tape. The patient is advised to press the acupoints several times a day and about 1 minute for each point. It is changed once every 3 – 5 days. Five to ten times make up one course of treatment.

Cautions
(1) Sterilization must be strict to avoid infection. Needling should not be used if inflammation or chilblain is present on the auricle. For slight inflammation, 2% alcohol should be applied timely to it.
(2) Ear acupuncture is inapplicable to gravida with the history of miscarriage. It is inadvisable to be used to treat the aged and patients with weak constitution and overstrain.