German Auricular Medicine Program

The accuracy and effectiveness of results of this therapy is exciting! Very patient, understanding and effective teachers… Keep teaching this!
~ Jim McLean, MD, Halifax NS.

Many approaches, or “schools” of Auricular Acupuncture exist. Vital Principle Institute has chosen to bring the approach of the German Academy of Auricular Medicine to North America because of its great precision, clinical effectiveness, and the large number of European medical practitioners supporting its validity and development. Further we find that the clarity of this training allows practitioners to learn in a classroom setting and then begin clinical practice with immediate results!

This Auricular Medicine was discovered and developed by Dr. Paul Nogier of France during the 1950s to 1980s, and further developed by Dr. Frank Bahr of Germany, along with recent breakthroughs in removing blockages to healing achieved by Dr. Beate Strittmatter, Director of Education of the German Academy of Auricular Medicine.

Our program steps students through a learning process that will result in bringing an advanced medicine, for both assessments and treatments, into clinical health practice.

Read about us in Acupuncture Today!

Having developed the clinical skills and knowledge base necessary
graduates of our Training Program
will be able to help many more patients
live with less pain and recover from chronic conditions!


Our Seminars and Certification Stream are open to all registered health practitioners.

Our program is accredited by the NCCAOM and we now offer Continuing Education Credits.
Seminar I – Online: 16 PDA Points
Seminar II: 26 PDA Points

Check the Program Schedule for upcoming classes!

Our Training Program

Level One
Seminar I Online:
Foundations of Auricular Medicine
Online Course 9 weeks 32 study hours
Seminar II:
Enhanced Assessment and Treatment
Onsite Practical Course 3.5 days 26 study hours
Clinical Practicum I:
Supervised Clinical Case Management
Online Course up to 16 weeks 22 study hours
Level One Certification includes successful completion of Seminars I and II and Clinical Practicum I (includes 10 case reports).
Level Two
Seminar III:
Clearing Blockages to Healing
Onsite Course 5 days 32 study hours
Clinical Practicum II:
Advanced Supervised Clinical Case Management
Online Course up to 16 weeks 38 study hours
Level Two Certification includes successful completion of Seminar III and Clinical Practicum II (includes 5 advanced case reports).

Level One

9 week online course with a weekly live class (recorded for those who cannot attend)

    With this course you will develop:
  • Familiarity with the history and the theory of auricular acupuncture
  • Knowledge of the anatomy and the microsystem of the auricle
  • Ability to precisely locate points on the ear that reflect pathology
  • Capacity to begin clinical application of auricular acupuncture for assessment and treatment, particularly for musculoskeletal pain!
  • Includes a Written Examination


    Seminar II: Enhanced Assessment and Treatment (26 hours)

3.5 Day Onsite Practical Course

    With this course you will develop:
  • Clarification for the application of Principles for Point Selection
  • Precision in location of active (therefore effective) acupuncture points on the ear
  • Understanding of how and why to clear Scar Tissue
  • Enhanced clinical skill in treating: Symptoms, Functional Support, and Focus Disturbances
  • Initial experience in the use of the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS) for assessment
  • Knowledge of Additonal Auricular Points for Energy, Psychology, Balance and Stress
  • Includes a Practical Examination


Online Course with Instructor Supervision – up to 16 weeks

    Students will be part of a learning group (cohort) as they develop 10 Case Reports. The online support of this course includes: ability to post Case Reports; Discussion Forums; One-on-one meetings with Instructor to review your cases; Group Q&A sessions with the Instructor.


Level Two

5 Day Onsite Practical Course

    With this course you will develop:
  • Confidence in your Level One skills of assessment and treatment
  • Advanced knowledge of Tissue Layers and their use in Auricular MedicineClinical Skill in Prediagnosis: Oscillation, Inversion, Laterality and Handedness
  • Ability to prioritize treatment of Blockages to Healing (Focus Disturbances)
  • Advanced Clinical Case Management Skills


Online Course with Instructor Supervision – up to 16 weeks
Follows Seminar III

    Students will be part of a learning group (cohort) as they develop Case Reports for 5 patients over 4 visits each. The course includes: live classes to discuss case management; ability to post Case Reports; Discussion Forums; One-on-one meetings with Instructor to review your cases. A database of Case Reports will be available for class discussion.


Advanced Seminars

Open to those who have completed Seminar III

    Key Outcomes:
  • Ability to identify and clear blockages to healing
  • Greater familiarity with using frequencies for assessment
  • Motivation for own clinical pilot studies
  • Increased confidence in the VAS as a diagnostic method
  • Familiarity with the use of the superficial layer for identifying deficiencies and toxicities

Online Video Course with Dr. Beate Strittmatter, M.D.

    Through this course you will learn:
  • Integration of laser frequencies into advanced patient assessment
  • Use of frequencies for effective, noninvasive treatment
  • Scientific background and research of frequency medicine
  • Application for identifying blockages to healing
  • Use of frequencies to discover hidden dental issues
  • Integration of lasers into orthopedic assessment and treatment
  • Case Management through Clinical Demonstrations

Certification Requirements

    Level One Certification
    Successful completion of:
  • Seminar I Online (includes Written Examination)
  • Seminar II (includes Oral Examination)
  • Clinical Practicum I (includes 10 Case Reports)
    Level Two Certification
    Successful completion of:
  • Seminar III
  • Clinical Practicum II (includes 5 Case Reports)