Physicians here say there are risks in ear stapling, a technique of behavior modification becoming more and more popular.

&#8220Physicians statewide are concerned about this,” said Dr. Randy Easterling of The Street Clinic. &#8220There are just way too many questions out there.”

The procedure, which relies on the Chinese practice of acupuncture, is done by inserting a tiny staple in the inner cartilage of the ear. The purpose is to target pressure points, which are supposed to send signals to the brain. People are turning to the $55 to $100 procedure to help them lose weight, quit smoking or relieve stress.

State Rep. Chester Masterson, R-Vicksburg and a retired physician, said he doesn’t believe the procedure is a valid method of weight loss or behavior modification.

&#8220I have seen acupuncture work in certain conditions to relieve pain, but as far as this ear (stapling), it’s going to take time to tell if it’s beneficial,” he said. &#8220But I don’t think it will be. There are dangers.”

Vendors performing the stapling are not licensed or regulated. Easterling said a key risk is infection.

&#8220They are putting staples in cartilage, which is a vascular point – it has a poor blood supply,” he said. &#8220Any time a foreign body is put through that skin, you run the risk of infection.”

The result of the infection could lead to forms of hepatitis, staph, removal of the ear and even death, he said.

&#8220The way we cure infections is through antibiotics, which are carried by blood. With a poor blood supply, we can’t get the antibiotics to the spot where the infection is,” he said.

Although Easterling has not yet dealt with any patients with infections caused from ear stapling, he said physicians here and around the state are starting to treat patients.

&#8220I’ve not personally seen any. Just because I haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean it’s not here,” he said.

&#8220A physician I know in Kosciusko has already seen three,” he said.

Area hair and tanning salons have had people from other parts of the state come in to perform the procedure. Neil Pettigrew, a paramedic from Flora, opened the only ear stapling clinic, Staple Solutions by Neil, in Vicksburg about a week ago. He received acupuncture training before opening the clinic.

Liz Sharlot, spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Health, said the department does not regulate ear stapling.

&#8220This is not something that is a licensed activity – that we license at the health department,” she said. &#8220(Ear stapling) is not something that is a public health issue.”

Pettigrew, who said he educates his clients about avoiding infection, said he would like the state to regulate the procedure so people without medical experience would not be allowed to perform the procedure.

Masterson said if ear stapling is a type of acupuncture, doing it without a license is illegal. Acupuncture may be performed in Mississippi only by a licensed physician, Easterling said.

Masterson believes the law will soon be enforced.

&#8220I believe there’s something forthcoming that will either make them certify to train or make them quit,” he said.

The most important thing for Easterling and his colleagues, he said, is for people to know the risks.

&#8220What we want people to know is that it’s a very dangerous procedure with a high risk of infection and it’s difficult to cure,” he said. &#8220What health-care professionals are about is the health of the community. We hate to see anybody engage in practices that aren’t medically sound.”

Easterling said, to avoid infection, people who have already had the procedure done should go see their physician to have the site checked and possibly removed.