Five-Needle Protocol (5NP)
A gentle form of auricular (ear) acupuncture — five small points on the outer ear — offering supportive, temporary relief from the symptoms of stress, substance-use recovery, mental-health challenges, and trauma.
You sit in a comfortable chair, fully clothed, and rest. That's the whole assignment.
Group sessions serving the Medford, Talent, Phoenix & Ashland areas.
What a session is like
No unknowns, no surprises — here's the whole thing, start to finish.
- 1
Arrive at your time
You choose an arrival time when you book, so there's no crowded waiting room — just a quiet space that's expecting you.
- 2
Settle into a chair
Fully clothed, seated, comfortable. Your technician places five hair-thin, sterile, single-use needles at points on each outer ear. Most people are surprised how little they feel it.
- 3
Rest as long as you need
Eyes open or closed — 30 to 60 minutes, and most people find their natural stopping point around 40. Then the points come out and you're on your way.
Yes, needles — but not like you're picturing.
The needles used in 5NP are about the width of a human hair — closer to a whisker than anything from a doctor's office. They're sterile, single-use, and rest just beneath the skin of the outer ear. You might feel a brief pinch as each is placed; within a minute or two, most people forget they're there.
The Five-Needle Protocol was developed at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx in the 1970s and is now used in thousands of recovery, disaster-relief, and community settings worldwide — delivered the same way everywhere: five points, a quiet room, shared calm.National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) — history of the protocol.
People come to 5NP for many reasons
- Stress that won't put itself down
- Support during substance-use recovery
- Mental-health challenges — anxious seasons, heavy ones
- The long tail of trauma
- Or simply because an hour of real rest is rare
5NP offers supportive, temporary relief. It's complementary care — it works alongside your medical or mental-health care, never in place of it.
Why a group room?
We offer 5NP primarily as a group clinic, and that's intentional. Sitting quietly alongside others — each person tending to themselves in shared, unhurried calm — adds something a solo session can't. People often describe the room itself as settling: a felt sense of not being alone in it.
Prefer one-on-one? Individual sessions are available too — just reach out.
Who you'll be with
Sessions are led by Fletcher — an experienced, NADA-certified 5NP technician, certified since 2021, with more than a thousand sessions delivered. He'll be the calm presence in the room who isn't asking anything of you.
Simple, transparent pricing
Booking opens soon.
We're finalizing pricing now. Want a heads-up when sessions open? Get in touch.
Common questions
Does it hurt?
The needles are about the width of a human hair. You might feel a brief pinch as each one is placed; within a minute or two, most people forget they're there. Many close their eyes. Some sleep.
Do I have to talk about anything?
No. There's a short safety intake when you book, but in the room nothing is asked of you — no sharing, no explaining, no small talk. Silence is the norm, not the exception.
How often should I come?
There's no schedule you have to follow. Some people come weekly, some come more often during an intense stretch, some once in a while. You're welcome at whatever rhythm serves you.
What should I wear or bring?
Come as you are. Nothing to prepare, nothing to bring, no special clothing — the only points involved are on the outer ear.
Is 5NP a substitute for treatment or therapy?
No. 5NP offers supportive, temporary relief from symptoms — it's complementary care that works alongside your medical or mental-health care, never in place of it.
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis?
No. Anyone can book a session — no referral, no diagnosis, no explanation needed.
Can I gift a session to someone?
Yes — gift cards and multi-session passes are available, and they never expire. A pass is a simple code the recipient enters when booking.
Run a recovery program or wellness organization?
5NP was born in exactly those rooms. We offer on-site group sessions, sponsored session blocks, and simple ways to bring this to the people you serve.