What is 5NP Auricular therapy?

5NP (5-Needle Protocol) is an auricular (ear) therapy designed to support the body’s own innate healing. By placing 1-5 tiny, sterile needles into acu points in each ear, the 5NP technique helps regulate the nervous system by stimulating neural pathways such as the vagus nerve. This comfortable and gentle stimulation aids in interrupting the "fight-flight-freeze" activation common with chronic stress, trauma and grief.

Accesses The Ear-Brain Bridge

When we experience stress, our vagus nerve is what returns us to homeostasis. Although in the case of trauma, the vagus nerve can sometimes fail to properly switch off the fight-flight-freeze response. Interestingly, the ear is one of the only places on the body where this nerve is accessible on the surface. 5NP comfortably stimulates and re-engages the vagus nerve, and thus helps bring the nervous system back to a place of calm.

Creates Emotional Resilience

5NP supports the release of beneficial neurotransmitters (the "happy chemicals") which can improve mood, reduce anxiousness, decrease emotional pain/numbness, and even lessen addictive cravings - facilitating a better sense of ease and groundedness.

Gentle - Drug Free & Talk Free

5NP is a gentle and relaxing therapy commonly provided in group settings. Sessions are designed to be quietly meditative and essentially non verbal - focusing on calming the nervous system without the need for clients to share their story.

Benefits of 5NP

The 5 point protocol is based on the bioelectric map of the ear and the corresponding innervated organ systems. 5NP accesses the vagus nerve, as well as other nerve pathways associated with the physical body's stress response. By stimulating these specific points, the protocol works holistically by sending calming signals to the system as a whole.

Many clients often report -

Increased relaxation and decreased anxiousness.
Helps lower stress hormones like cortisol and decreases fight, flight. freeze activation.
Supports the release of "feel good" neurotransmitters which help stabilize mood and aid in the restoration of joy and connection.
Supports hope, motivation and perspective.
Calms anger and irritation, increases patience.
Non-triggering and comfortable.
Reduces cravings and assists with addiction recovery - including digital addiction.
Helps resolve sleep disturbances.
Helps reduce emotional numbness and provides groundedness during times of grief and loss.
Aids in relief from physical tension and inflammation, as well as supports overall wellness.
Enhances mental clarity and focus, as well as helps reduce "mental fog."

History of 5NP

Auriculartherapy has a wonderful dual history, which combines ancient traditional practices with modern science. Interestingly, ear stimulation for healing dates back some 2,500 years in Egypt, the Mediterranean, and China - and additionally in the Americas where indigenous people often used porcupine quills or thorns for acu treatments. While the modern system of auriculartherapy was developed by a French physician in the 1950's after he observed a local healer having significant success by utilizing ear points. Intrigued, he used bioelectric stimulation on his own patients to locate key auricular points; later creating an "ear map" which was then translated and integrated into modern Chinese acupuncture. Two decades later in the 1970's, a group of doctors and activists at Lincoln Hospital in New York first developed the 5 Needle Protocol to support patients recovering from addiction. Although 5NP’s role began to expand in 2001 following 9/11 - when over 40,000 5NP treatments were provided to first responders and survivors in need of nervous system su post traumatic stress. And now today, 5NP has expanded all over the world, and is considered a highly effective adjunct therapy for chronic stress, trauma, mental health, and grief. Below is a list of agencies and hospitals that currently endorse and use 5NP.

Veterans Affairs (VA)
US Justice Department
Indian Health Services (IHS)
Medical Reserves Corps (MRC)
Correctional Facilities in the US & Europe
First Responders such as EMT's & Firefighters

Yale Medical School
Brown University Health Services
Various Disaster Relief Efforts and Conflict Zones
The Ass. for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)

Equine Assisted 5NP

Coming Soon!

Combining equine therapy with 5NP can provide a powerful and synergistic approach to healing trauma and supporting grief. While 5NP offers a manual nervous system reset (via vagus stimulation), equine therapy can create further nervous system regulation through "vagus synchronization." Interestingly, horses operate in a high-vagal tone state which generates a low-frequency, electromagnetic field (or "herd bubble") that can positively affect us humans. Studies from the HeartMath Institute validate that when we enter their bubble, our nervous system becomes collectively co-regulated, and our heart rate variability (HRV) rhythms often synchronize with the herd - leading to reduced stress and increased emotional regulation.

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How does 5NP feel?

Ear (or auricular) needles are extremely thin, comparable to the thickness of a human hair - 10 times smaller than standard medical needles. 5NP is generally considered painless, and can feel like a light poke, often described as "oh, was that all?" This is often followed by a deep sense of calm, relaxation, and sometimes a slight tingling or warmth. Sessions typically last 20–60 minutes - with clients often report feeling much calmer, "lighter," and more centered.

Can it be needle-free?

Yes! 5NP can be performed needle-free utilizing acupressure ear beads. This method utilizes the same ear points, although adhesive-backed, 24k gold-plated or stainless steel beads are applied in place of needles. Ear beads are often the preferred method for children or those with an aversion to needles. Additionally, 5NP ear beads can be applied after a standard needle treatment for those requesting continuous, multi-day stimulation (up to 3 days.)

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