Incidently, I know someone who trained in chinese medicine, and basically it's a good idea in theory, based on a concept from chinese medicine, that western medicine is attempting to use, but does not fully understand. It is based on the acupuncture/accupressure points in the ear, which do work, but like anything in the body when it is stimulated for a period of time, it stops having effect. That is why the "tacks" some people get work, because they are not a constant stimulus, and why stapling, and piercing does not work. And no, it is not like snapping yourself with a rubber band every time you want to eat.
here are the maps of the points in the ear:
http://www.acupuncture.com/images/earaddict2.gif
http://www.acupuncture.com/images/earmaster.gif
and no please do not try performing acupuncture on yourself (and accupressure on the ears doesn't really work as you need to stimulate a very specific small area), please see a professional for acupuncture