From conch to helix...the key to knowing your ear

1) HELIX

An area at the top of the ear associated with reproductive organs and fertility. Scarlett Johansson and Meg Mathews appear to have piercings here.

2) SHEN MEN POINT

An area at the top of the ear, which in alternative medicine is known as the divine gate, or spirit gate. This is believed to help with conditions like stress, anxiety and insomnia. Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo appears to have a hoop piercing going through her Shen Men point. A less extreme approach might be to follow celebrities such as Penelope Cruz and Kate Moss, who are fans of ear seeds, tiny metal balls (typically silver or gold) placed at the Shen Men point by acupuncturists. They are used to apply a light, continuous compression that is believed to help alleviate symptoms.

3) CONCH

The inside shell of the ear is divided in to upper and lower parts. Cynthia Erivo has a piercing in her upper conch, which is associated with the liver and other organs of the abdomen. Jennifer Lawrence wears an earring in her lower conch, which is associated with the organs of the chest.

4) SCAPHOID FOSSA

The groove running around the outer rim of the ear is perfectly formed for the placing of hoops, which neatly curl around the ear, as favoured by Meg Mathews and Rihanna. Acupuncturists associate the area with the skeletal structure of the arms, from fingers through to shoulder blade.

5) DAITH

This is the piercing spot on your ear’s innermost cartilage fold — Meg Mathews has one, as does Rihanna. Some people believe that this piercing can help ease anxiety-related headaches and other symptoms.

6) TRAGUS

The little flap of cartilage in front of your ear canal is associated with hunger and the adrenal gland and is thought by acupuncturists to have a role in hormonal balance and calming. Scarlett Johansson has a piercing here.

7) THE LOBE

The fleshy bit at the bottom — home to the traditional point where generations of women have had their first piercing. It is an acupuncture area associated with eyesight and taste.

THERE’S so much more to your ear than the lobe. From anxiety to headaches, alternative therapists believe stimulating different parts can help alleviate problems elsewhere...