What do you get when you cross body piercing and the newest weight loss craze? A staple in the ear that may cause infection and deformity. Ear stapling may be the latest quick fix to weight loss, but the side effects from this new trend can be devastating.
Ear stapling is a procedure in which a small surgical steel staple is pierced into the inner cartilage of the ear at a specific point that is believed to control appetite and aid in weight loss. The staple remains for weeks to months at a time and can act as a vehicle for bacteria to enter the body, causing severe infections.
Cartilage infections are not easily treated because blood flow to the area is limited, making cartilage unable to heal itself after injury. Significant ear deformity may result.
“The infection rate for ear stapling is astronomical in my opinion – 20 percent in some cases,” says Tanya Edwards, M.D., medical director of the Center for Integrative Care at Cleveland Clinic. “I think most people don’t know what the potential ramifications are of an infection in the cartilage. I think if they did know, they would think twice about stapling.”
The procedure is loosely based on acupuncture treatment methods that use pressure points (called acu-points) in the ear to curb appetite and minimize cravings. In acupuncture, sterilized needles are placed on specific acu-points to relieve pain and suppress cravings by releasing endorphins, which promote relaxation and block pain messages from being sent to the brain. The acupuncturist removes the needles within a half an hour or so.
Unlike acupuncture, the practice of ear stapling is relatively new and many states do not require a licensure to perform the procedure, making it possible for almost anyone, even with little or no medical background or training, to do ear stapling.
Because the results are anecdotal and there is no hard scientific evidence to prove the weight loss effects of ear stapling, Dr. Edwards recommends patients use proven methods to lose weight, such as a combination of regular exercise, healthy diet and acupuncture.
7 Tips for Safe Weight Loss
Though it may not seem as trendy or easy as other methods, the best way to lose weight permanently is simply to eat less and burn more calories than you take in. Follow these tips:
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Do not skip meals. Instead, cut down portion size and choose healthy snacks, like fruits and raw vegetables.
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Substituting foods like margarine (without trans fat), skim milk and light yogurt for butter, whole milk and ice cream is a simple way to enjoy similar foods for fewer calories.
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Take responsibility for what you eat by making a journal of what, when and how much you eat and drink every day.
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Along with a healthy diet, walking 10,000 steps (about 5 miles) per day will help you lose approximately one pound per week. A pedometer will help you count your steps, and some will also calculate calories burned.
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Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing yard work, walking the dog and parking further from the door are easy ways to increase your daily step count.
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Studies have shown that with a weight loss program that includes a combination of acupuncture treatments with diet and exercise, patients can expect lose an average of 10 to 20 pounds more than with diet and exercise alone over a period of a year.
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Don’t skimp on nutrition! Go to mypyramid.gov and enter your age, gender and activity level to view a personalized estimate of your body’s nutritional needs.
© Copyright 1995-2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
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To read more about this and related topics, see:
Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program
Weight Loss Resources
Acupuncture
This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 12/1/2006
