Shenmen or cosmonaut? Dr. Gary Stanton's lighting

Is the Shenmen point identical to the Cosmonaut point? Insights from Dr. Gary Stanton

This blog uses the article published by Dr. Gary Stanton in 2024, whose references are infra.

In auriculotherapy, two ear points are widely recognized for their calming effects: the Shenmen point, rooted in Chinese tradition, and the Cosmonaut point, as described by the French school. While often considered equivalent, notable differences remain in their origins, anatomical locations, and clinical applications.

Different cultural origins

The point Shenmen (“Spirit Gate”) was introduced in China around 1959 by Dr. Xu Zuo-Lin and later gained wide recognition in Western acupuncture circles.

The point Cosmonaut appeared in the early 1960s in France under the impetus of Dr. René Kovacs, a direct student of Paul Nogier. This point was named so because its description was made the year the first man was in space (Youri Gargarine, 1961). It is now integrated into the cartography used by the World Federation of Chinese and Moxibustion Societies and developed by Dr. David Alimi, a student of René Kovacs.

Similar location, yet distinct

The two points are located in the lateral third of the triangular fossa of the ear, an important region in auriculotherapy. The point Shenmen is rather in the upper and outer part, under the upper crus of the antihelix. The point Cosmonaut, on the other hand, is more central, above the lower crus of the anthelix, but may be slightly posterior according to some French schools.

How are they detected?

Several methods are used to detect thes points:

• electro-detection
• palpation of sensitive areas
• visual inspection (looking for distinct skin features like telangiectasias)
• use of Nogier vascular autonomic signal (VAS)

⚠️ Note: The last two techniques are not universally used across all auriculotherapy schools.

How are they stimulated?

A wide variety of techniques exist, including:

• invasive physical methods: needles (classical or semi-permanent)
• non-invasive physical methods: vaccaria seeds, acupressure...
• thermal methods using cold (cryopuncture) or hot (moxibustion)
• light-based techniques (LLLT laser but also colored light according to Nogier)
• electromagnetic methods (electroacupuncture, magnets).

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Physiological effects according to traditions

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenmen is linked to the Heart Meridian (point HE-7). It is believed to calm the spirit, regulate emotions, improve sleep, and soothe the mind.

In French auriculotherapy, the Cosmonaut point is thought to correspond to the T12 sympathetic ganglion, thus acting on the autonomic nervous system to reduce stress.

Other authors suggest embryological interpretations (involving ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm layers) to explain the point’s wide-ranging effects on pain, inflammation, and psychosomatic disorders. It’s important to note that these are theoretical models based on a still-evolving understanding of auricular physiology.

Main clinical indications

Shenmen point:

• insomnia, anxiety, depression, neuralgias
• hypertension, visceral or sensory pain
• allergic and inflammatory disorders

Cosmonaut point:

• mood disorders, chronic fatigue, addiction treatment
• eczema, acne, chronic pain
• digestive, hormonal, cardiovascular disorders

Controversy: does the Shenmen really exist?

Some practitioners, in particular Soliman and Frank, believe that there is no single Shenmen point, but rather an area activating different structures according to Nogier's "phases". According to Dr. Stanton, Paul Nogier himself would never have validated the existence of the Shenmen point as defined today.

This "zonal" approach is also the one taught at the interuniversity diploma in auricular neuromodulation - auriculotherapy (Paris-Saclay, France), which refers to the Shenmen area rather than a specific Shenmen or Cosmonaut point.

Conclusion: an ongoing exploration

Dr. Gary Stanton concludes that while the Shenmen and Cosmonaut points share many similarities, they are not anatomically identical. Since their precise location varies depending on the therapeutic school, practitioners are encouraged to explore the entire lateral triangular fossa for point reactivity before applying any targeted stimulation.

Comparative clinical trials would be valuable to determine their specific therapeutic properties and to clarify whether they should be considered truly distinct.

Reference article:

Stanton G. The Chinese Ear Shenmen Point and the French Cosmonaut Point: Same or Different?

OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2024, Vol. 9, Issue 4.

https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2404061

DOI: 10.21926/obm.icm.icm.2404061

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