Data collection
oiliness, Pain
In the first phase of the study, the workers answered the questionnaire on sociodemographic data, habits and health, work, the Brazilian version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Scale. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this questionnaire was first applied online (Google Forms)The workers who met the selection criteria were invited to participate in the second phase of the study, corresponding to randomization and application of the auriculotherapy sessions. After agreeing to participate in the research, they were considered eligible and randomized into the Intervention Group (IG) or Control Group (CG).Random allocation was performed in the IG or CG, using a computer program with numbers generated on the Eight auriculotherapy sessions were offered, two applications per week, and lasting a mean of 10 to 15 minutes. Auriculotherapy was developed with seeds, differing as follows: in the IG, the seeds were applied in the To apply auriculotherapy, in both groups, the auricular pavilion was cleaned with cotton soaked in 70% alcohol, aiming to remove oiliness and promote disinfection of the auricular region. Mustard seeds were applied to the auricular pavilion, with the aid of a plastic sheet and rounded beige adhesive tape to fix them at the auricular points.To locate the points related to the painful area in the IG (cervical, thoracic and/or low back), a manual locator was used for the reflex points proposed in the protocol. At the other IG and CG points, an auricular point locator (brand EL30 Finder Basic - NKL) was used, helping to provide greater precision for inserting the seeds.The workers were instructed about the need for the seeds to remain in the points for three days and the care related to their daily stimulation, which should be done manually at least three times a day, 15 times, in each auricular pointAuriculotherapy was performed by three therapists, all with training and approximately five years of experience. As quality control, a data collection manual was developed with a description of the procedures to be followed. In addition to detailing the procedures, the therapists performed the first sessions together, in order to maintain the behaviors described in the protocol.Four outcome evaluations were performed (in the 1