How the Shen Men Point in Ear Acupuncture Supports Stress Relief and Sleep

Auricular acupuncture is a therapeutic approach that uses points on the outer ear to influence health across the entire body. Among these points, Shen Men, or “Spirit Gate,” is one of the most widely recognized for its calming and restorative effects.

What is Shen Men?

Shen Men is located in the triangular fossa of the ear. In auricular medicine, it is classified as a master point, meaning it exerts broad effects on both the body and mind. Traditionally, Shen Men has been indicated for stress, anxiety, insomnia, cravings, and pain management.

Shen Men or Spirit Gate location on the trangular fossa

Clinical Evidence

Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain:

• This review included several randomised controlled trials where Shen Men was one of the commonly used auricular points. It found that auricular acupressure can significantly reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain. Liebert Publishing

1. Auricular Acupressure at Shen Men for Test Anxiety in Medical Students

   • A single-blind randomised parallel-group trial where bilateral acupressure on Shen Men for 10 minutes significantly reduced test anxiety compared with a sham point control. PubMed

2. Auricular Acupressure for Pain After Cesarean Section Using Shen Men etc.

   • In a randomised clinical controlled trial, auricular acupressure with magnetic plate attachments on several ear points including Shen Men, Penqiang, Erzhong significantly relieved post-cesarean pain from 36 to 72 hours compared to controls. PubMed

Effects in Practice

Stimulation of Shen Men is thought to influence the autonomic nervous system, reducing sympathetic arousal (fight-or-flight) while enhancing parasympathetic activity (rest-and-digest). This shift may explain reports of:

• Decreased stress and muscle tension

• Greater emotional stability

• Improved sleep quality

• Reduction in cravings or withdrawal symptoms

Stimulation can be provided with needles, ear seeds, or acupressure, making the point accessible for both clinical and self-care use.

Conclusion

Shen Men is more than a single acupuncture point; it represents a central hub within auricular microsystem therapy. Clinical research supports its role in reducing stress, improving sleep, and supporting emotional wellbeing. Whether used within established protocols such as NADA or as a stand-alone point, Shen Men continues to be a cornerstone of auricular practice for promoting balance and resilience.