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Supporting Calm, Regulation and Recovery After Trauma
PTSD & Emotional Trauma Support with AcuDetox
Experiencing trauma can affect much more than our memories.
Trusted since 1970s, practised
around the globe in 40 countries
For some people, the effects of a traumatic experience can continue long after the event itself, influencing sleep, anxiety, mood, concentration, emotional regulation and the body’s response to stress.
AcuDetox and auricular acupuncture may provide a gentle complementary approach to supporting relaxation, emotional regulation and wellbeing alongside appropriate trauma-informed care.
At Spark Of Life, our approach is focused on creating a calm, supportive environment where AcuDetox can form part of a broader personal wellbeing strategy.
Enhanced Focus
Improves concentration & cognitive clarity, helping with tasks & decision-making.
Emotional Balance
Stabilizes mood swings and reduces anxiety for better emotional health.
Stress Relief
Promotes deep relaxation, easing the stress of daily challenges.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or highly distressing event.
Trauma affects people differently. Some recover naturally over time, while others continue to experience symptoms that interfere with everyday life.
PTSD may involve:
- Intrusive memories or unwanted thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Anxiety or fear
- Hypervigilance
- Irritability or emotional reactivity
- Difficulty relaxing
- Sleep difficulties
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of detachment or emotional numbness
- Increased sensitivity to stress
Emotional trauma does not always result in a formal PTSD diagnosis. People may experience significant emotional and physical effects following bereavement, relationship trauma, abuse, accidents, violence, disasters or other overwhelming experiences without meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
Stories of Transformation
“My daughter’s focus and behaviour have improved so much since starting AcuADHD. She’s happier and more confident!”
Lisa P.
Constantia
“As an adult with ADHD, I struggled with organization. AcuADHD has helped me feel calmer and more in control.”
Mark T.
Tokai
“The sessions are so relaxing, and I’ve noticed a real difference in my ability to manage stress and stay focused.”
Wynberg
How Can AcuDetox Support Trauma Recovery?
The NADA AcuDetox Protocol is a standardised five-point auricular acupuncture protocol.
Very fine acupuncture needles are placed at five specific points on each ear. Once the needles have been placed, clients generally sit quietly for a period of rest.
The treatment is deliberately simple and non-verbal.
For people experiencing high levels of stress or emotional activation, this quiet treatment environment may provide an opportunity to pause, settle and reconnect with a sense of calm.
Research into auricular acupuncture and acupuncture for PTSD has investigated outcomes including PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep and related psychological symptoms. The evidence is promising in some areas, but it is not yet sufficient to regard AcuDetox as a replacement for established trauma treatment.
Potential Areas of Support
AcuDetox may be considered as a complementary wellness intervention for people experiencing symptoms associated with trauma.
Stress & Hyperarousal
Trauma can leave the body feeling as though it is continually on alert.
AcuDetox provides a quiet period in which the individual can rest while receiving a structured auricular treatment.
Anxiety
Anxiety and heightened nervous-system arousal are common following traumatic experiences.
Auricular acupuncture has been investigated as a complementary approach for anxiety and trauma-related symptoms.
Sleep Difficulties
Sleep disturbance is common among people experiencing PTSD.
A randomised trial of group auricular acupuncture involving veterans with PTSD-related insomnia found a statistically significant improvement in perceived insomnia severity at one month in the auricular acupuncture group.
Emotional Regulation
Trauma may make it difficult to regulate emotional responses or return to a settled state after becoming distressed.
Auricular acupuncture has been explored by veterans with PTSD, with participants reporting improvements across a range of symptoms following a standardised auricular acupuncture regimen.
Rest & Grounding
The non-verbal nature of the NADA treatment allows clients to sit quietly without having to talk about or revisit traumatic experiences during the treatment itself.
This can make it a potentially useful supportive and stabilising component of a broader trauma-informed approach.
What Does the Research Say?
Research into acupuncture and trauma is developing.
A 2023 scoping review of clinical studies involving military veterans with PTSD identified eight studies. Auricular acupuncture was the most frequently used acupuncture approach, appearing in half of the studies reviewed. The authors concluded that acupuncture research in this area is promising, although results were not uniformly positive across all measures.
A 2020 systematic review examined ear acupuncture for trauma-related mental disorders following large-scale disasters. The review assessed evidence relating to PTSD and other trauma-related psychological conditions and considered both effectiveness and safety.
A 2013 randomised trial investigated group auricular acupuncture specifically for PTSD-related insomnia in veterans. Participants receiving auricular acupuncture showed a significant improvement in perceived insomnia severity at the one-month assessment.
There is also specific published experience with the NADA Protocol in trauma-affected communities. A 2010 paper described the use of the NADA five-point protocol among refugees in Kenya following the 2007 post-election violence and discussed its application within communities affected by physical and psychological trauma.
More recent research continues to investigate auricular approaches specifically designed for trauma-spectrum disorders. A 2026 paper on the Auricular Trauma Protocol describes a five-point auricular approach developed for trauma-spectrum disorders and discusses applications in PTSD, anxiety, insomnia and pain. This is not the NADA protocol, but it adds to the broader research interest in auricular acupuncture and trauma-related conditions.
AcuDetox and Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma requires sensitivity.
We do not believe that receiving AcuDetox should require a person to describe their traumatic experiences in detail.
The treatment itself is non-verbal, allowing you to remain focused on your present experience rather than being required to revisit difficult memories.
Your comfort and sense of safety remain important throughout the session.
You can ask questions, discuss concerns and let us know if there are aspects of the treatment that make you uncomfortable.
What Can You Expect During a Session?
1. Initial Conversation
We discuss why you are considering AcuDetox and whether it is an appropriate complementary option for you.
2. Preparation
You are shown how the treatment works and what to expect.
3. AcuDetox Treatment
The five designated auricular points are needled according to the NADA protocol.
4. Quiet Rest
You sit quietly while the needles remain in place.
There is no requirement to discuss your trauma during this period.
5. Completion
The needles are removed and you are given time to settle before leaving.
How Many Treatments May Be Needed?
There is no single treatment schedule that is appropriate for everyone.
The frequency and duration of treatment will depend on your circumstances, goals and response to treatment.
Some people choose individual sessions when they feel they need additional support, while others prefer a more consistent course of treatments.
Where a longer-term approach is appropriate, AcuDetox may form part of a structured Emotional Balance Programme or another personalised wellness programme.
Who May Benefit From This Approach?
AcuDetox may be worth considering if you are looking for complementary support alongside your existing wellbeing or trauma-care approach and are experiencing:
- High levels of stress
- Difficulty relaxing
- Anxiety or nervous tension
- Sleep difficulties
- Emotional overwhelm
- Difficulty settling after stressful experiences
- Trauma-related stress symptoms
- A desire for a quiet, non-verbal wellness treatment
A Supportive Step Towards Greater Balance
Trauma recovery is rarely a single treatment or a single event.
It is often a gradual process of rebuilding a sense of safety, developing resilience and finding ways to regulate the effects of stress.
AcuDetox may provide one gentle, complementary tool within that process.
If you are considering AcuDetox for trauma-related stress, we can discuss your circumstances and help you determine how it may be an appropriate part of your wider wellness approach.
What Does the Research Say?
The following papers are particularly relevant to the use of acupuncture and auricular acupuncture in trauma and PTSD.
1. Kwon CY, Lee B, Kim SH. (2020)
Effectiveness and safety of ear acupuncture for trauma-related mental disorders after large-scale disasters: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review. Medicine, 99(8), e19342. A systematic review examining the effectiveness and safety of ear acupuncture for trauma-related mental disorders following large-scale disasters. View the full paper →2. Prisco MK et al. (2013)
Group Auricular Acupuncture for PTSD-Related Insomnia in Veterans: A Randomized Trial. Medical Acupuncture, 25(6), 407–422. A randomised study investigating auricular acupuncture for insomnia associated with PTSD in military veterans. View the PDF →3. Kwak HY et al. (2023)
Acupuncture Therapy for Military Veterans Suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Related Symptoms: A Scoping Review of Clinical Studies.
Healthcare, 11(22), 2957.
A scoping review of clinical research involving acupuncture and PTSD in military veterans. Eight studies were identified, with auricular acupuncture the most frequently used approach.
Download the full PDF → Paper information – ScienceDirect
5. King HC, Moore CB & Spence DL. (2016)
Exploring Self-Reported Benefits of Auricular Acupuncture Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Journal of Holistic Nursing, 34(3), 291–299.
A qualitative study exploring veterans’ reported experiences following a standardised auricular acupuncture regimen.
A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs research library also lists the study and reports that veterans described improvements in a range of PTSD-associated symptoms.
View the VA research reference → VA research library PDF