Information On Slenderbeads & Acupressure Beads

Acupressure bead manufacturers claim that by attaching the tiny plastic or metal balls to your ear and pressing on them throughout the day, you can ease food cravings. As of 2010, clinical trials offer some evidence supporting claims that acupressure beads can not only help you lose weight, but might also be effective for conditions as diverse as nausea, addiction and Attention Deficit Disorder.

Theory

Like all acupressure treatments, ear beads work by stimulating the flow of qi or vital life energy. According to traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, qi flows naturally throughout the body along subtle energy lines called "meridians." Negative emotions, stress, unhealthy eating habits and injury can disrupt or block the flow of qi. Pressure points sit on the meridians. When you stimulate a point, you release blockages so qi flows once more, creating the conditions for healing. Because the ear is host to acupressure points that correspond to each part of the body, some TCM practitioners focus on working with the ears, according to the website Soft Touch Acupuncture.

Types

There are several types of acupressure beads on the market, including the Slenderbeads brand. Ear acupressure beads are tiny balls, usually self-adhesive, that attach to key areas of your ear. Some practitioners recommend magnetic beads, theorizing that this enhances their effectiveness. Many TCM practitioners use the seeds of the vaccaria plant for ear acupressure, since this herb acts as a blood tonic and helps to clear stale qi, according to Yin Yang House online.

Research

Acupressure beads have demonstrated effectiveness in a variety of applications in clinical trials. Patients who used acupressure wrist bands reduced the nausea caused by radiation therapy by 19 percent, according to Joseph Roscoe and fellow researchers at the University of Rochester, in their 2009 study published in the "Journal of Pain Symptom Management." Ear acupressure beads helped adolescents lose as much 1.2 body mass index points in eight weeks, according in a 2010 study published in the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine" by Ching Hsieh of the Chang Gung Institute of Technology in Taiwan.

Expert Insight

While using alternative treatments like acupressure beads might not completely resolve serious physical issues, it can help patients reduce their need for medication, says neuroscientist and psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen, of the University of California-Irvine School of Medicine. In his book "Magnificent Mind at Any Age," Dr. Amen reports that a patient suffering from dyslexia and ADD showed positive improvement in brain scans after using acupressure beads.

Tips

It can be difficult to locate acupressure points on your own. Your best bet for successfully using acupressure beads is to consult a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. A doctor of acupuncture or an acupressure therapist will give you a complete diagnosis and in-office treatment, and can teach you how place acupressure beads in the right spot. Once you've got a feeling for where to put the beads and how to use them, you are much more likely to see positive results.