Auricular acupuncture, in which needles are used to stimulate specific points in the ear, originated in Ancient China and proved popular in Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Sharp stones, fish bones and bamboo clips were used to treat war wounds and reduce pain, while ancient Egypt women had their ears pricked with a needle, or cauterized with heat, in the hope of reducing fertility. Gold earrings worn by Mediterranean sailors were believed to improve vision, while Hippocrates advocated making cuts behind the ear to treat impotence and leg pain. Modern versions involve wearing small beads on the ear to promote weight loss (Slenderbeads), headache (HeadacheBeads) or back pain (LowerBackBeads).
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