Acupuncture therapy often uses one smaller area of the body to represent the whole, also called a microcosm. The ear is one of these microcosms - it mirrors the entire body on the ear. Acupuncture needles may be placed in the ear during treatment to stimulate this system, or patients will be sent home with ear seeds. These stainless steel ear seeds are small, round, and often look like a bandaid.  At home, patients can stimulate their ear seeds on their own by rubbing or adding pressure to the seed for an extension of therapeutic benefits after leaving the office.