I'm an online strength and conditioning coach for women who are menopausal and beyond. My mission is to help menopausal through post menopausal women optimize their metabolic health and implement strength training so they can thrive and maintain their independence. Using a combination of nutrition, exercise, habit change, biohacking and mindset tools, menopause becomes a time of positive transformation, energy and growth. I have over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, a B.S in Physical Education, certifications in: nutrition [Precision Nutrition], Wellcoaches, Pilates, Yoga and Digestive Wellness. I chose the name kuhlebody for my health and fitness coaching practice because the word "Kuhle" comes from the African Zulu language which means, "Good, fine and beautiful." Menopause is every woman's opportunity to become KUHLE.
: I walked into a Chinese medicine store... and found something I didn't expect.
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Tiny Seeds. Big Possibilities Hi Reader, For the last four weeks, I've been getting acupuncture to help treat plantar fasciitis and tendinopathy in my right forearm. I haven't had bodywork like this on a regular basis in years, so I've found myself genuinely looking forward to Mondays at 2:15 p.m. It's become part of my weekly ritual. Next door to the acupuncture clinic is a store that sells supplies for Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners—and it's also open to the public. My acupuncturist, Charlotte, suggested I pick up a liniment to apply to the inflamed areas, so off I went. I love stores like this because they remind me of my curious eight-year-old self, always wandering around outdoors looking for hidden treasures with friends. You never knew what you might discover—a ladybug, an unusual feather, or a rock that looked like a nose. Walking through the aisles, I spotted bottles with names like Evil Bone Water and Blood Builder Dragon. If I hadn't known where I was, I would've thought I'd stumbled into a shop where witches and warlocks bought their potions and spells. Definitely not my jam. Then something else caught my eye... Ear Seeds. The box had a picture of an ear covered with tiny little dots. My first thought was... "Wait...what? Am I supposed to plant seeds in my ear?" Of course not. So naturally, I had to learn more. What Are Ear Seeds?Ear seeds are tiny beads or botanical seeds placed on specific acupuncture points on the ear. They're rooted in a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine called auriculotherapy, which views the ear as a microsystem of the entire body. The idea is that different areas of the ear correspond to different organs, body systems, and functions. Once the tiny seed is placed on a specific point using medical adhesive, it provides gentle, continuous pressure throughout the day. You can even press on the seeds periodically for an extra boost. Think of it as acupressure that goes with you wherever you go. It works while you're sleeping, working, walking, or relaxing. Personally, I'd much rather wear ear seeds than a nose ring through my septum. At least these are doing something that may support my health! No offense to anyone who loves piercings—it simply made me laugh. Why They Caught My AttentionAs I learned more, I immediately started thinking about the women I work with. Could ear seeds become another holistic tool to help support women navigating menopause? Many women experience: • Anxiety • Feeling overwhelmed • Poor sleep • Brain fog • Mood fluctuations • Cravings • Nervous system dysregulation While ear seeds aren't a cure or a replacement for medical care, some women find they help support relaxation and overall well-being as part of a broader wellness approach. Potential BenefitsDepending on the placement, ear seeds may help support: • Stress reduction and emotional balance • Nervous system regulation • Better sleep • Mental focus and clarity • Craving management - better digestion • Overall relaxation and a greater sense of calm What Does the Research Say?While ear seeds have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years, modern research is beginning to explore how they may support health and well-being. Some encouraging findings include: Better Sleep A 2015 systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials involving more than 1,400 participants found that auricular therapy using ear seeds or pellets improved sleep quality, increased total sleep time, and helped people fall asleep more easily—with fewer side effects than conventional sleep medications. (2) Considering how many women struggle with insomnia during menopause, I found this especially interesting. Brain Fog & Focus A randomized controlled trial published in 2024 found that nurses who used ear acupressure with vaccaria seeds for six weeks experienced significant improvements in attention, memory, and cognitive performance compared with the control group. (3) If you've ever walked into a room and forgotten why you're there (welcome to menopause!), this certainly caught my attention. Pain Relief In another randomized clinical trial, people with chronic low back pain who received auricular acupressure experienced substantial reductions in pain after four weeks, with benefits that continued even one month later. (1) As someone currently dealing with plantar fasciitis and tendinopathy, that definitely made me curious. While more research is still needed, these early findings suggest ear seeds may be a useful complementary tool alongside other healthy lifestyle habits.
As with anything new, pay attention to how you feel. You may notice subtle improvements in your stress levels, sleep quality, or overall sense of calm. Tips For Best Results✔ Apply them mindfully and take a few slow, deep breaths. ✔ Pair them with other calming habits such as meditation, breathwork, grounding, journaling, or gentle walks. ✔ Consider using them consistently over several weeks to see whether they make a difference for you. Documenting your experience will help you see over time, if they are helping. Where Can You Buy Ear Seeds?My fellow Konenki (menopause solutions) provider and colleague, Kristin Gauthier, carries ear seeds on her website. And honestly...they're actually quite pretty. They almost look like tiny pieces of jewelry. Will ear seeds be the missing piece for everyone? Probably not. But if you're looking for another holistic option to explore, I think they’re worth learning more about. Ear seeds are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Think of them as one more tool that may help support your body's natural ability to regulate and heal. As for me... I'm definitely all ears. (I couldn't resist. 😄) REFERENCES: ¹ Yeh CH, et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial of Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:196978. ² Lan Y, et al. Auricular acupuncture with seed or pellet attachments for primary insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:103. ³ Ovliaei Bidgoli M, et al. The effect of ear acupressure on occupational cognitive failure in nurses after the COVID-19 crisis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. BMC Nursing. 2024;23:457.(3) Strong and Beautiful in Midlife! Sharon Kuhle Body is a project of Vidya Ministerium, a faith based, private membership association. Services are available to members only. Membership is free and we are always accepting new members. You can opt out at any time. For more information, please read our PMA Declaration. |
Hi! I'm Sharon
I'm an online strength and conditioning coach for women who are menopausal and beyond. My mission is to help menopausal through post menopausal women optimize their metabolic health and implement strength training so they can thrive and maintain their independence. Using a combination of nutrition, exercise, habit change, biohacking and mindset tools, menopause becomes a time of positive transformation, energy and growth. I have over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, a B.S in Physical Education, certifications in: nutrition [Precision Nutrition], Wellcoaches, Pilates, Yoga and Digestive Wellness. I chose the name kuhlebody for my health and fitness coaching practice because the word "Kuhle" comes from the African Zulu language which means, "Good, fine and beautiful." Menopause is every woman's opportunity to become KUHLE.
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