Understanding the NADA Protocol: A Holistic Approach to Wellness

The NADA protocol (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) is a specialised form of auricular acupuncture that uses five precise points on the ear to support emotional balance, stress relief, and overall wellbeing. Developed in the 1970s, this simple yet powerful method is now recognised worldwide as an effective tool for both community health and personal wellness.

Origins and Development

The NADA protocol began in the early 1970s at Lincoln Detox in the Bronx, New York. Psychiatrist Dr Michael Smithformalised the method by combining principles of traditional Chinese medicine with Western medical practice. His aim was to create an accessible treatment to help with addiction recovery and substance misuse.

The protocol involves the gentle placement of up to five fine, sterile needles into specific points on each ear. No electrical stimulation is used, making the treatment simple, safe, and highly accessible.

In the UK, the NADA five-point protocol was introduced in 1988 by John Tindall, who went on to establish NADA GB in 1990. Since then, the practice has grown significantly, with training provided to NHS staff, prison officers, and community health workers. In 1998, Steve Pinnington established NADA Acudetox Training Workshops, which expanded into Scotland in 2014 through the creation of NADA Scotland. Today, NADA Acudetox and NADA Scotland remain the leading training organisations in the UK.

Applications and Benefits

The NADA protocol is widely used in addiction services, mental health clinics, community wellness programmes, and workplace wellbeing schemes. Reported benefits include:

• Addiction recovery – helps reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms

• Stress and anxiety – calms the nervous system and supports emotional stability

• Trauma and PTSD – offers gentle support in processing difficult experiences

• Pain management – relieves certain chronic pain conditions

• General wellbeing – promotes balance, clarity, and improved sleep

Because it is safe, affordable, and non-verbal, the NADA protocol is especially valued in group settings, making it highly inclusive and accessible to diverse communities.

Case Studies and Research

Research consistently highlights the effectiveness of the NADA protocol as a complementary therapy. For example:

• Recent research from Yale’s Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU) highlights that patients receiving the five-point ear acupuncture protocol report reduced withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and stress — showing that auricular acupuncture can be a valuable adjunct in addiction recovery.

• A study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that auricular acupuncture significantly improves stress and anxiety levels when used as an adjunct therapy, suggesting it can help enhance psychological wellbeing and emotional stability.

• A case study report by de Valois & Degun at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre showed that men who underwent eight weekly group NADA sessions experienced marked improvements in hot flushes, sleep quality, energy levels, mood, and urinary symptoms, with many also noting long-term restoration in wellbeing.