When Teaneck resident and licensed acu­puncturist Elie Goldschmidt started experienc­ing back pain, he knew that acupuncture could help him. Unable to needle himself, he turned to ‘ear seeds’ to help solve his back pain issues.

Although ear seeds, used in auriculother­apy, weren’t a major part of his acupuncture practice, he’d always been fascinated with au­riculotherapy. After seeing pictures of actress Penelope Cruz wearing ear seeds for stress, and hearing Dr. Oz discuss the benefits of ear seeds on his show, he figured they might work for him too.

Almost immediately upon applying the ear seeds Elie felt a difference in his back and a re­lease of the pain. Further research led him to discover Matt Damon photographed wearing ear seeds for back pain, and there are count­less articles all touting the benefits of auricu­lotherapy in publications including The New York Times, ABC News, LiveStrong, and Epoch Times, among others.

It’s long been known that the ear, much like the foot, is a microsystem representing the en­tire body. Upon stimulation of certain points on the ear, nerve signals are sent to the brain, which in turn sends signals to the area of the body being treated.

Ear acupuncture dates back to Ancient Chi­na but the current methodology is based on the work of a neurologist from France, Dr. Paul Nogier. In the 1950s, Nogier noticed many of his patients had scars on specific areas of the ear. When he inquired about the scars, the in­dividuals explained their practitioners had cau­terized these ear points to treat sciatica.

Dr. Nogier, known as the “father of auriculo­therapy,” adapted this idea into a less invasive treatment. Sciatica patients received relief and he found there were a multitude of other spots on the ear that corresponded to even more body parts and could treat a variety of other conditions. He dedicated his life to the study of this therapy.

After experiencing such positive results from auriculotherapy for his back pain, Elie knew he wanted to find a way to share the benefits of ear seeds with the masses. While a full acupuncture treatment that includes au­riculotherapy is ideal, it can be costly and time prohibitive. Elie knew that the seeds alone could make a big difference for so many peo­ple, as it did for him.

Meanwhile, his wife Tova, a veteran brand­ing expert and product designer, was skepti­cal. She agreed to try the seeds for stress. Using the same protocol seen on Penelope Cruz, she was blown away by the tangible response she had. General calm replaced a racing mind and she found it increased her ability to focus and concentrate. After learning more about auric­ulotherapy and ear acupressure, Tova agreed to come on board and a family business was born. Just a few months after Elie conceived the idea, the couple launched EarSeeds.com.

Ear seeds are made from tiny seeds from the vaccaria plant and are a safe, non-inva­sive, pain-free alternative to needles and can be applied by anyone by simply affixing their adhesive tape backing to specific acupressure points on the ear. They are a convenient op­tion, and an excellent way to glean the bene­fits of auriculotherapy in the comfort of your own home.

Ear seeds are commonly used, with much success, to aid patients in quitting smoking, losing weight, alleviating sciatica and decreas­ing stress. However, research indicates a whole host of other conditions respond to auriculo­therapy.

EarSeeds.com creates auriculotherapy self-help kits that aid in a number of com­mon conditions, including Weight Loss, Headaches/Migraines, Insomnia, Back Pain/Sciatica, Anxiety, Stop Smoking, and Stress & Depression.

The kits come complete with 120 EarSeeds (lasts about 4-6 weeks), stain­less steel tweezer and a protocol for proper ear seed placement, based on condition.

If you are interested in a natural self-help option, EarSeeds.com kits are avail­able through wellness providers such as acupuncturists, chiropractors and na­turopaths, as well as online at earseeds. com and via Amazon. Locally you can find their products at Aquarius Health Foods on Cedar Lane in Teaneck and Aylwards in Englewood, and they are working on getting placement at Whole Foods in Paramus.

To learn more about this local family busi­ness and their auriculotherapy products, visit http://www.earseeds.com.