Ear Stapling for Weight Loss – Does it Work?

Several years ago a bizarre trend emerged: ear stapling for weight loss. Small medical staples were inserted into the cartilage of the ears, which was supposed to stimulate pressure points that help suppress appetite. (And you thought weight loss techniques couldn’t get any weirder.)

Even though this technique sounds like something from an old episode of The Twilight Zone, it actually has interesting origins. Ear stapling is based on centuries-old acupuncture techniques that have been proven effective in treating many mental and physical disorders.

However, ear stapling itself has not been proven to work for weight loss. For one thing, it’s hard to say whether the ear staples are actually helping to reduce appetite, or the placebo effect is making people believe they aren’t hungry. Critics also claim that ear stapling can be hazardous to your health because of the risk of infection.

The good news is that there are far less invasive ways to apply the same principles of ear stapling if you think it might work for you, but without the dangerous side effects.

Similar to acupuncture, acupressure stimulates various pressure points on the body, but without needles. Instead, you employ a light tapping or pressure on these points to get the same effect as you would from needles.

There are several points on the body that are claimed to help reduce appetite, calm stress, and promote healthy digestion, all of which could help you stick to your weight loss plan.

The first point is at the front of each ear, on the fleshy part right next to your jaw joint (not the earlobe itself; up higher and toward the edge of your face – it’s a little “tab” of flesh at the front of your ear). Gently pinching and massaging this part of the ear for a few minutes is said to help reduce appetite and minimize cravings.

For stress reduction, a good place to tap or massage is to either side of the spot where your collarbones meet at the base of your throat. Feel around until you find the U-shaped notch at the base of your throat. Then move your fingers about an inch to the right or left, and about an inch below the level of this notch. Gently pressing, rubbing or tapping these spots can often help you release turbulent emotions like anger, frustration, sadness and despair – all triggers for emotional eating.

The top of your head also has some great pressure points for releasing stress and boosting energy. In the center of the top of your head, and along the outside perimeter of the top of your head (where a crown would rest), there are sensitive spots that can instantly make you feel more relaxed. Lightly tapping in these areas causes a sensation of relaxation and clarity that can help minimize cravings.

Whether you choose to use these acupressure techniques or try ear stapling for weight loss, keep one thing in mind: they won’t help if you constantly overeat and avoid exercise. These techniques aren’t miracles that will erase the effects of bad habits, but they might be helpful in giving you the strength and clarity to want to change your eating and exercise habits for the better.

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