AcuDetox (also known as AcuWellness or 5 Needle Protocol- 5NP), is a gentle, five-point ear acupuncture protocol designed to support emotional, physical, and energetic healing.

Originally developed in the 1970s to aid addiction recovery, it helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote balance. Today, it’s used in a wide range of settings—from trauma support to general wellness—and can be received with acupuncture needles or gentle alternatives like ear seeds.  

AcuDetox was developed as a healing response & pioneered by Dr. Mutulu Shakur and Dr. Michael Smith, this five-point ear acupuncture approach supports nervous system regulation and holistic recovery. Dr. Shakur’s vision of liberation and community empowerment, alongside Dr. Smith’s clinical leadership, laid the foundation for what would become the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), carrying their transformative work forward. Dr. Shakur’s leadership rooted the practice in a deeper vision of liberation, emphasizing that true recovery must address systemic injustice, empower communities, and foster collective healing.

The Five Ear Points Focus (Traditional Chinese medicine points or TCM):

⏺        Kidney — Healing fear, restoring vitality

⏺        Liver — Detoxification and emotional regulation

⏺        Lung — Processing grief and strengthening resilience

⏺        Shen Men — Calming the mind and spirit

⏺        Sympathetic — Regulating the body's stress response

Today, it’s recognized as a powerful tool for both personal and collective healing, rooted in the belief that wellness is a human right and true recovery requires justice, compassion, and community care, honoring the vision of Dr. Shakur and his team.

AcuDetox helps bring the mind, body, and spirit back into balance—quietly, gently, and powerfully!

Benefits

✔ Reduces Stress and Anxiety

• Calms the nervous system, promotes deep relaxation, and supports emotional balance.

✔ Eases Withdrawal Symptoms

• Helps manage cravings, insomnia, agitation, and physical discomfort during substance detox and recovery.

✔ Supports Trauma and PTSD Recovery

• Regulates the fight-or-flight response, helping the body process and release stored trauma.

✔ Improves Sleep Quality

• Encourages deeper, more restorative sleep by soothing an overactive mind and body.

✔ Enhances Emotional Resilience

• Helps process grief, fear, anger, and overwhelm—making space for clarity, hope, and inner strength.

✔ Strengthens Mind-Body Connection

• Encourages presence, groundedness, and greater self-awareness through subtle energetic shifts.

✔ Boosts Natural Healing Processes

• Supports immune function, organ detoxification (especially liver and kidneys), and overall vitality.

✔ Accessible and Nonverbal

• No need to "talk it out"—the body does the work, making it especially powerful for those who struggle to express pain or trauma verbally.

✔ Promotes Community Healing

• AcuDetox can be offered in group settings, creating collective healing experiences that foster connection, safety, and belonging.

AcuDetox can be added to any offering—either as a grounding way to begin your experience or as a gentle, integrative way to close it.

If needles are’t feeling right for you, that’s completely okay. Ear seeds or beads offer a gentle, non-invasive alternative that still supports energetic flow and balance. However you choose to receive, I’ll honor what feels best for you & where you’re at.