Paul Nogier—Inventor of Auricular Therapy

Paul Nogier (1908–1996) was born in France. He studied engineering for three years before reading medicine in his hometown, Lyon. Inspired by a local lay healer, Nogier became convinced that the ear is energetically related to other parts and organs of the body. In fact, he postulated, the ear corresponded to an upside-down foetus. Stimulating the part of the ear that represents the foetus’s knee, for example, would thus treat problems of the patient’s knee. In 1957, Nogier announced his theory to the public, and his auricular therapy soon became well-known, particularly amongst acupuncturists. He and others provided ear cartographies where the organs on a patient are depicted on the outer ear. Eventually, Nogier also developed a system of bio-energetic testing as an aid for diagnosing disease.