ear acupuncture treatment

The 5 Needle Protocol (5NP), also known as the NADA, Acu-Detox, or Acu-Wellness protocol, is a standardized ear acupuncture protocol using specific points on the outer ear.
The protocol uses very small, sterile, single-use needles and is designed to be simple, accessible, and supportive of the body’s natural ability to move toward greater balance and regulation.
5NP has been used for decades in recovery, behavioral health, trauma support, and community wellness settings. It has been used to support nervous system regulation, sleep, digestion, tension, anxiety, depression, trauma, toxic stress, and recovery.

5NP has an important history rooted in community care and social justice.
According to the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA), the development and use of the five-point protocol was championed by the Young Lords, the Black Panther Party, Lincoln Detox, and the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA).
POCA describes 5NP as a simple, accessible treatment created for non-acupuncturists to use within their communities. Its community-centered history is an important part of what makes 5NP unique. It was developed not simply as another wellness modality, but as a way of reducing barriers to supportive care.

During a session, sterile, single-use needles are gently placed into specific points on the outer ear. The traditional 5NP protocol uses five points, though the number of needles used during an individual session may vary based on comfort and the needs of the session. You may receive anywhere from 1–5 needles per ear (10 total), and even a single needle may provide benefit.
Once the needles are placed, you are invited to settle into a comfortable position and simply be. You may sit quietly, close your eyes, breathe, meditate, journal, or rest.
Sessions are intentionally minimally verbal, giving you an opportunity to step away from everyday stimulation and allow your body and mind to settle.

Everyone responds differently. You may experience relaxation, calmness, grounding, mental quiet, warmth, tingling, sleepiness, or subtle sensations around the ears. You may also experience very little during the treatment.
Some people may experience minor tenderness, bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or temporary discomfort at the needle site. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you can ask for a needle to be adjusted or removed.
A brief screening is completed before treatment to determine whether 5NP is appropriate for you. Certain medical conditions, pregnancy-related considerations, active infections or skin conditions around the ear, or other circumstances may require additional consideration or make treatment inappropriate. If you have questions about whether 5NP is right for you, please contact us before scheduling.

5NP has been used to support people experiencing a wide range of physical and emotional challenges. Applications described by POCA include addiction and recovery, trauma, pain, toxic stress, PTSD, mental and physical tension, anxiety, sleep, focus, and digestion.
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People may be drawn to 5NP when they are:
👂Experiencing stress or overwhelm
👂Feeling physically or emotionally tense
👂Moving through a period of transition
👂Looking for a grounding practice
👂Supporting their recovery journey
👂Exploring additional tools for trauma and stress
👂Seeking a quiet space to rest and reconnect
👂Wanting to experience a community-centered healing practice.

5NP is a complementary wellness practice and is not intended to replace medical or mental health care.

One of the unique aspects of 5NP is that it can be offered in a group setting.
During a community session, participants receive the protocol while sharing a quiet, supportive space. You do not have to share your story, participate verbally, or explain why you are there.
You can simply arrive, receive the treatment, and spend time in stillness alongside others.
There can be something deeply supportive about being in community without needing to know anyone else’s story or have them know yours. Everyone has their own individual experience while sharing the energy and presence of the group.
Community sessions are intentionally simple and accessible. You may meditate, rest, journal, listen to music, or simply sit with yourself while the treatment takes place.

Amy is a POCA-trained Auricular Acu-Technician (AAT), having completed her 5NP training through Providence Community Acupuncture.
POCA’s Auricular Acu-Technician training is specifically designed to train non-acupuncturists in the Five Needle Protocol and includes hands-on training and supervised practice.
As a Registered Nurse, Amy brings her clinical healthcare background together with her holistic approach to wellness. Her intention is to provide a safe, grounded, welcoming experience while honoring both the clinical training and community-centered roots of 5NP.

Very little preparation is needed.
Wear comfortable clothing and, if possible, give yourself some quiet time before and after your session. For community sessions, you may want to bring a water bottle, journal, or another small item that helps you feel comfortable and grounded.
Most importantly, come as you are.

5NP may be a supportive addition to your wellness practice if you are looking for a simple, grounding, community-centered experience.
You do not need previous experience with acupuncture, energy work, meditation, or other wellness practices.
Whether you come for an individual session or join a community gathering, the invitation is simple:
Pause. Breathe. Receive.
Give yourself permission to step out of the constant doing and into a moment of simply being.

5NP is a specific auricular protocol and is not the same as practicing acupuncture generally.
Laws governing the use of 5NP vary by state, and each practitioner is responsible for understanding the requirements where they practice. In Rhode Island, nurses are among the professionals permitted to use 5NP following approved training.
Sessions offered at Ascending Hearts Wellness are limited to the standardized Five Needle Protocol and provided within Amy’s professional scope and training.
If you have questions about whether 5NP is appropriate for you, please contact us before scheduling.

Community 5NP groups will be offered on select dates throughout the year.
We believe access to supportive care should not be limited by financial circumstances. Individuals experiencing financial barriers will be assisted in finding a way to receive this specific treatment.