Auricular Blood Pressure Point Anatomy and Relevance to Auricular Acupuncture Therapy in Complementary Medicine Clinics in Lagos

Auricular acupuncture is a complementary medical practice based on the premise that the external ear contains reflex points corresponding to specific organs and body regions. Although practised across Africa, the anatomical basis of auricular acupoints and their spatial relationship to surface landmarks of the auricle have not been systematically studied in Nigerian populations. Inaccurate point localisation can reduce therapeutic efficacy or cause inadvertent complications. This study aims to describe the surface anatomy of the external ear in relation to commonly used auricular acupuncture points, including the heart, kidney, and Shenmen points, among adult patients at complementary medicine clinics in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Three-dimensional photographic mapping of the auricle will be conducted on 100 consenting participants, and auricular dimensions will be recorded to determine inter-individual variation in reflex point location. The study anticipates providing anatomically grounded guidance for complementary medicine practitioners on auricular acupuncture point localisation within the context of Nigerian auricular morphometry, improving the accuracy of therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: auricular acupuncture, auricle anatomy, complementary medicine, Lagos, acupoints