Auriculotherapy and reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain: integrative review

Abstract

Objectives: to describe the scientific evidence on the use of auriculotherapy to reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults and the elderly.

Methods: integrative literature review conducted in the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, SciVerse Scopus and MEDLINE databases (via National Library of Medicine), in March 2019, with no time frame.

Results: 14 original scientific articles were analyzed, 64.3% of which were classified with level of evidence 2. All productions show the benefit of auriculotherapy in reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lumbar spine (42.9%). The treatment was developed in one or more sessions, using semi-permanent needles (42.9%) and electro-auriculotherapy (21.4%).

Conclusions: auriculotherapy was effective in reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain, showing itself as an alternative to be used for the promotion and recovery of individuals' health.