Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine

Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health ISSN 2975-9323 |eISSN 2975-9552 Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health 2026:4(1). doi:10.5281/zenodo.17955779 institutoptc.com/journal-complementary-therapies Expert insight Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. Oren Upekkha Ziv Ram1,2* and Eyal Levi Lidor1. 1 OLA Laser Acupuncture, Mafra, Portugal; 2 OLA Laser Acupuncture Academy, Portugal. * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract Many chronic conditions arise not from isolated structural pathology but from dysregulation within autonomic, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and limbic control systems. Auricular Medicine, as developed by Nogier and later expanded within the German medical tradition, uses the auricle as a diagnostic interface reflecting these regulatory states. Central to this approach is the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS), a transient, autonomically mediated modulation of arterial pulse amplitude elicited by stimulation of clinically relevant auricular zones. This article presents a condensed, physiology-based framework for VAS-guided auricular diagnosis and its integration with photobiomodulation (PBM). By identifying the regulatory layer actively under strain and applying targeted laser stimulation only to VAS-responsive points, treatment is individualised, adaptive, and system-oriented. Clinical illustrations demonstrate how symptoms often arise from non-local regulatory disturbances and resolve when the appropriate regulatory level is addressed. Keywords: Auricular Medicine; Vascular Autonomic Signal; Autonomic Regulation; Central Autonomic Network; Photobiomodulation; Laser Acupuncture. 1. Introduction Chronic pain, functional disorders, vasomotor instability, and stress-related conditions frequently reflect disturbances in higher-order regulatory systems rather than isolated peripheral pathology. In such cases, symptoms represent downstream expressions Citation: Ram O. U. Z., Lidor E. L. Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health. 2026;4(1) 10.5281/zenodo.17955779 Academic Editor: Jorge Rodrigues Received: 8 November 2025 Reviewed: 3 December 2025 Revised: 15 December 2025 Accepted: 16 December 2025 Published: 16 December 2025 Publisher’s Note: IPTC stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Copyright: ©2026 by the authors. Submitted for open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health 2026: 4(1). 2 of 9 Ram O. U. Z., Lidor E. L. Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17955779 of dysregulation within autonomic, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, or limbic networks 13. Auricular Medicine originated with Paul Nogier’s description of a somatotopic representation of the body on the external ear 4. The German school of Auricular Medicine subsequently developed this concept into a structured diagnostic system by introducing regulatory-layer interpretation, systematic use of the VAS, and integration with modern neurophysiology 5,6. Because the auricle is richly innervated and connected to central autonomic and limbic centres, it functions not only as a somatotopic map but also as a real-time indicator of systemic regulatory activity 7-9. The VAS allows clinicians to identify which regulatory layer is actively engaged in a patient’s condition, enabling treatment to be directed toward the origin of dysregulation rather than the site of symptom perception 5,10,11. 2. Physiological Basis of the Vascular Autonomic Signal The VAS is a brief, involuntary modulation of arterial tone elicited by minimal stimulation of auricular reflex zones. It reflects central autonomic network processing rather than a local vascular phenomenon 5,11,12. Afferent input from the auricle is transmitted primarily via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve branches, facial nerve fibres, and cervical plexus contributions. These signals converge in the nucleus tractus solitarius and are relayed to higher autonomic centres, including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and brainstem cardiovascular nuclei 13-15. Efferent modulation from these centres results in a rapid, localised change in peripheral vascular resistance, perceived clinically as a short increase in pulse amplitude 16-18. The VAS typically occurs within less than one second of stimulation and represents a specific regulatory response rather than a generalised cardiovascular reaction 19,20. Clinically, the VAS is interpreted as an indicator of active regulatory engagement. It provides information about autonomic balance, inflammatory tone, and neuroendocrine or limbic involvement, allowing the clinician to distinguish between functional regulatory disturbances and stable or compensated systems 5,21,22. 3. Diagnostic Rationale of Auricular Medicine Auricular Medicine is based on the observation that the auricle contains reflex zones corresponding not only to anatomical structures but also to functional regulatory states 7,23. These zones are neurovascularly linked to the central autonomic network, which coordinates cardiovascular regulation, stress responses, endocrine activity, immune modulation, and interoception 7,9,24. Within the German Auriculomedicine model, auricular findings are interpreted according to regulatory layers. These layers represent reproducible physiological response patterns rather than fixed anatomical entities 23,25,26. Commonly evaluated domains include 27-31: • Structural–somatic regulation; • Autonomic–vegetative balance; • Inflammatory–immune activity; • Neuroendocrine–stress regulation; • Emotional–limbic processing. The purpose of auricular diagnosis is not to label disease but to identify which regulatory layer is currently under adaptive strain. This shifts clinical reasoning from symptom localisation toward systemic pattern recognition. Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health 2026: 4(1). 3 of 9 Ram O. U. Z., Lidor E. L. Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17955779 4. Clinical Assessment Using the VAS The VAS functions as a real-time indicator of how the autonomic nervous system responds to sensory input. When stimulation of an auricular zone elicits a VAS response, it indicates that the nervous system recognises that zone as clinically relevant at that moment 32-34. Importantly, the absence of a VAS does not imply incorrect anatomy or lack of symptoms; it indicates that the system is not allocating regulatory attention to that region at the time of assessment. Thus, the pulse serves as a physiological monitor of active dysregulation rather than a measure of symptom severity 5,35,36. 4.1 Baseline and Selectivity Before diagnostic testing, a quiet and stable pulse baseline must be established. If the autonomic system reacts indiscriminately to multiple stimuli, this reflects global stress activation, and meaningful diagnostic interpretation is not possible. In such cases, regulatory intervention precedes further assessment 37-40. Once selective responsiveness is confirmed, auricular zones are stimulated sequentially. The first clear and reproducible VAS response identifies the dominant regulatory layer currently driving the patient’s condition 5,41. 5. Regulation Before Diagnosis A core principle of VAS-guided practice is that regulation precedes diagnosis. When the autonomic system is overloaded, it produces non-specific reactions that obscure meaningful signalling . In the regulation phase, only points that elicit a VAS response are treated. Laser stimulation or acupuncture is applied selectively to restore autonomic flexibility. Successful regulation is indicated by the disappearance of VAS responses at previously reactive points and the return of a quiet pulse baseline. Only then does detailed diagnostic mapping proceed 42-44. This step prevents misinterpretation of global sympathetic activation as clinically specific information and ensures that subsequent diagnosis reflects true regulatory priorities. 6. VAS-Guided Auricular Diagnosis VAS-guided diagnosis is founded on a simple principle: the nervous system expresses recognition of a relevant disturbance through a measurable vascular response. The presence of a VAS identifies the regulatory origin of a symptom, which may be distant from the site of pain or discomfort 5,45. For example, musculoskeletal pain may not elicit a VAS response at its corresponding somatotopic zone but may instead activate autonomic, inflammatory, or interferencefield zones. This indicates that the symptom is compensatory rather than primary 46. Accordingly, treatment is directed toward the regulatory cause identified by the VAS, not toward the anatomical location of symptom expression. Clinical Meaning of VAS-Identified Patterns VAS-guided assessment consistently demonstrates that symptoms do not necessarily arise from the tissues where they are perceived. Rather, symptoms represent outputs of regulatory strain, while the VAS identifies the source of that strain 5,47. This distinction explains why treatment at non-local auricular zones often results in rapid systemic improvement, including changes in pain perception, sleep quality, emotional stability, and autonomic tone. By restoring balance at the appropriate regulatory level, compensatory symptoms resolve as adaptive capacity is regained 48,49. Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health 2026: 4(1). 4 of 9 Ram O. U. Z., Lidor E. L. Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17955779 7. Integration of Auricular Diagnosis, VAS, and Laser Therapy Auricular mapping provides the anatomical and functional interface, the VAS identifies active dysregulation in real time, and photobiomodulation serves as a targeted regulatory intervention 50,51. PBM influences mitochondrial metabolism, microcirculation, inflammatory signalling, and autonomic balance. When applied exclusively to VAS-responsive points, laser therapy reinforces the regulatory correction the nervous system is already attempting to achieve 52-54. Laser frequency selection may also be guided by the VAS. Frequencies that stabilise or strengthen the VAS response are considered supportive, whereas those that diminish it are avoided. This maintains a closed-loop, physiology-led treatment process 55,56. 8. Final remarks VAS-guided auricular medicine offers a structured approach to understanding symptoms as expressions of systemic regulatory imbalance rather than isolated pathology. By aligning diagnosis and treatment with real-time autonomic signalling, interventions become individualised, efficient, and adaptive 5 (Figure 1). This model is particularly valuable in chronic pain, stress-related disorders, neuroendocrine imbalance, inflammatory syndromes, and psychosomatic presentations, where symptom location often obscures regulatory origin 5. The method does not replace conventional medical diagnostics but complements them by providing insight into functional regulation and adaptive capacity. Figure 1. From the diagnosis to therapy. Journal of Complementary Therapies in Health 2026: 4(1). 5 of 9 Ram O. U. Z., Lidor E. L. Using the Vascular Autonomic Signal to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment in Auricular Medicine. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17955779 9. Conclusion VAS-guided auricular diagnosis represents a shift from symptom-based treatment toward regulation-based clinical reasoning. The Vascular Autonomic Signal identifies where the organism is failing to adapt, allowing intervention to be directed precisely at the active regulatory disturbance. When combined with targeted laser therapy, this approach supports restoration of autonomic coherence, neuroendocrine balance, and systemic resilience. Rather than imposing treatment, the clinician follows the nervous system’s own signalling. In doing so, therapy becomes not only diagnostic but also restorative, supporting the organism’s intrinsic capacity for self-regulation and recovery. Author statement: Conceptualisation: O.U.Z.R.; Methodology: O.U.Z.R., and E.L.L.; Investigation: O.U.Z.R.; Visualisation: E.L.L.; Writing – Original Draft: O.U.Z.R.; Writing – Review and Editing: O.U.Z.R., and E.L.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Acknowledgements: Dr. Paul Nogier, whose pioneering work established the VAS as a clinical diagnostic signal. Dr. Frank Bahr, for advancing frequency medicine and autonomic regulation diagnostics. Beate Strittmatter, for her structured educational contributions in auricular therapy mapping and clinical organisation. Colleagues and patients, whose clinical processes and dialogue continually refine the understanding of autonomic regulation. Special appreciation is given to students and practitioners in ongoing training programs, whose questions, curiosity, and clinical feedback support the continued evolution of auricular medicine. Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Conflict of Interest: Oren Ram is an authorised distributor of RG Laser devices in Portugal and Spain and provides professional training in laser therapy. Eyal Levi Lidor declares no conflicts of interest. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: All patients provided informed consent for treatment and for the anonymized use of their clinical information for educational and research purposes. Personal identity details have been removed to protect privacy and maintain ethical transparency. Data Availability Statement: The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. References 1. Chapman CR, Tuckett RP, Song CW. Pain and stress in a systems perspective: reciprocal neural, endocrine, and immune interactions. J Pain. 2008;9(2):122-45. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2007.09.006 2. Yang J, Jia Y, Guo T, Zhang S, Huang J, Lu H, et al. Comparative Analysis of HPA-Axis Dysregulation and Dynamic Molecular Mechanisms in Acute Versus Chronic Social Defeat Stress. International journal of molecular sciences [Internet]. 2025; 26(13):[6063 p.]. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136063 3. 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