5NP Ear Acupuncture

AT MAGNOLIA COUNSELING OF PEARLAND

5NP at MCP

A Gentle, Evidence-Based Approach to Wellness
At Magnolia Counseling of Pearland, we are committed to holistic, client-centered care that
supports emotional wellness and long-term goals. Leah Gillam, LCSW-S, CCPS, Acudetox
Specialist is excited to offer the 5 Needle Protocol to adults in group and individual settings.

What Is the 5 Needle Protocol?

The 5 Needle Protocol is a non-verbal intervention that can be especially helpful for clients who
feel overwhelmed, dysregulated, or stuck. This technique involves the gentle application of five
sterile needles in both ears. These points correspond to areas of the body and nervous system
associated with stress, anxiety, emotional processing, and overall regulation. Over 50 years of
research demonstrate is it safe and effective in supporting clients experiencing stress, trauma,
anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and addiction.

How It Works

The Purpose Behind Each Point

1. Sympathetic Point (Stress)
Promotes relaxation and helps balance the autonomic nervous
system. Supports the body in shifting from “fight or flight” into “rest
and digest.”

2. Shen Men (Anxiety)
Known as the “Spirit Gate,” this point helps reduce anxiety,
restlessness, and emotional distress while promoting calm, focus, and
a sense of inner peace.

3. Kidney Point (Fear)
Supports resilience and reduces feelings of fear and insecurity. Often
associated with grounding and emotional stability.

4. Liver Point (Anger)
Helps release anger, irritability, and frustration while encouraging clarity, emotional flow, and
decision-making.

5. Lung Point (Grief)
Taking in and letting go, processing sadness and grief, while promoting emotional release,
connection, and restoration of joy.

References
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trial of auricular acupuncture for cocaine dependence. Archives of Internal Medicine, 160(15),
2305–2312. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.160.15.2305.

Bergdahl, L., Broman, J. E., Berman, A. H., Haglund, K., von Knorring, L., & Markström, A.
(2016). Auricular acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: A randomized
controlled study. Sleep Disorders, 2016, 705-728. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7057282

Bier, I. D., Wilson, J., Studt, P., & Shakleton, M. (2002). Auricular acupuncture, education, and
smoking cessation: a randomized, sham-controlled trial. American Journal of Public
Health, 92(10), 1642–1647. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.10.1642.

Buchanan, T. M., Reilly, P. M., Vafides, C., & Dykes, P. (2018). Reducing anxiety and improving
engagement in health care providers through an auricular acupuncture intervention. Dimensions
of Critical Care Nursing, 37(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000288.

Carter, K., & Olshan-Perlmutter, M. (2015). Impulsivity and stillness: NADA, pharmaceuticals,
and psychotherapy in substance use and other DSM-5 disorders. Behavioral Sciences, 5(4),
537–546. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs5040537.

de Valois, B., Young, T., Thorpe, P., Degun, T., & Corbishley, K. (2022). Acupuncture in the real
world: evaluating a 15-year NADA auricular acupuncture service for breast cancer survivors
experiencing hot flushes and night sweats as a consequence of adjuvant hormonal
therapies. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of
Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(6), 5063–5074. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-06898-7.

Harvey, J. & Marshall, M. (2023, January 25). A New Era of the 5 Needle Protocol for Mental
Health.5nptexas. www.5nptexas.com

Harvey, J., & Marshall, M. (2025). 5NP Texas ADS Training Guide

Huang, J., Shen, M., Qin., X., & Huang, Y. (2020). Effectiveness of auricular acupuncture for
insomnia: An overview of systematic reviews. Evidence-based complementary and alternative
medicine 2020(ID 6920902). https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6920902

Maa, E., Applegate, M., & Keniston, A. (2020). Auricular acupuncture for the treatment of
nonepileptic seizures: A pilot study. Epilepsy & Behavior 1525-1550.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107329-

Rodrigues, D., Menezes, P.R., Siilotto, A., Heps, A., Sanches, N., Schveitzer, M., & Faisal-Cury,
A. (2023). Efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture for depression: A randomized clinical
trial. Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 6(11): e2345138.
https://doi.10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45138

Stuyt, E. B., & Meeker, J. L. (2006). Benefits of auricular acupuncture in tobacco-free inpatient
dual-diagnosis treatment. Journal of Dual Diagnosis,2(4), 41–52.
https://doi.org/10.1300/J374v02n04_04

Stuyt, E. B., & Voyles, C. A. (2016). The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association
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disorders: current perspectives. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 7, 169–180

https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S99161
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Tools in the Hands of Behavioral Health Providers: The Case for Auricular Detoxification
Specialists. Medicines, 5(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5010020
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Zeliadt, S.B., Thomas, E.R., Olson, J., Coggeshall S., Giannitrapani, K., Ackland, E., Reddy,
K.P., Federman, D.G., Drake, D.F., Kligler, B.,&

Taylor, S. (2020). Patient feedback on the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture on pain in
routine clinical care. Medical Care, 58(9), supplement 2,S101-107. https://www.lww-
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Zhang, J., Huang, W., Chen, Z., Jiang, H., Su, M., & Wang, C. (2023). Effect of auricular
acupuncture on neuroplasticity of stroke patients with motor dysfunction: A fNIRS study.
Neuroscience Letters, 812 (2023) 137398 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Integrating 5NP Into Therapy Serenity Squad is a weekly relaxation group using the 5 needle protocol. For more information,or to register, please email Jamie Porter at jamie@magnoliatherapist.com. 5NP can also beincorporated into individual therapy sessions with Leah Gillam. To learn more about thistechnique, please visit www.5nptexas.com

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