Peripheral Brain Stimulation (PBS) is not a form of common acupuncture but an independent surgical technology. The starting point for the procedure is the ear’s connection to the brain through numerous nerve tracts.

In theory every disease of neurological origin can be treated with PBS. However, practical experience exists so far only with the treatment of the disease pattern for Parkinson’s Disease. Starting from the assumption that, in a Parkinson’s patient, the body’s inherent mechanisms of producing dopamine have stopped, a permanent neuronal stimulation in the ear serves to reactivate those regulating functions. Special titanium needle points (usually 80-120 units) are implanted in the gristle tissue of the ear, where they will eventually grow to be surrounded by the ear’s normal tissues and skin. There is no danger of infection, since titanium does not interact with the adjacent tissue, unless the patient manipulates the implantation area constantly from the outside. Depending on their consistency, cubic objects cause a permanent stimulation within the human body. These trigger points send signals continuously to the brain and stimulates it to react.

PBS was developed by the neurologist and brain researcher Ulrich Werth, M.D. Following the “auricular medicine” discovered by the French physician Paul Nogier in the middle of the last century. In addition to this traditional auricular medicine, Dr. Werth discovered locations that corresponded directly with the substantia nigra on the ear of a Parkinson’s patient.

Subsequently, Dr. Werth improved the method, expanded the spectrum of the implantation points depending on the individual symptoms and, most importantly, used only needles with an adequate surface and made of pure titanium. The implantation of the titanium pins is an outpatient procedure. After an evaluation and conversation with the doctor and his support team, the patient receives local anesthesia. After the 30-minute procedure, the nurse instructs the patient on subsequent ear care, which s/he can handle him- or herself until the small wounds of the implantation points have healed. Depending on the patient’s course with the therapy, it may be useful to place more titanium implants 6-12 months later, to support the lasting impact of the therapy.

 
PBS therapy must be coordinated with the prescription of medicine. The increasing mobility can occur so markedly that adjustment and fine-tuning of the external input of dopamine (conventional Parkinson’s medications) becomes necessary. This must occur by working with Dr. Werth or the patient’s regular neurologist. It is also useful to keep a journal on the progress of the disease after the PBS treatment. Dr. Werth furthermore recommends a DaTSCAN examination before the PBS treatment for a better diagnosis and as a check-up. To optimize the success of the treatment, theDaTSCAN should be repeated at a later point after the PBS treatment.