The invention relates to an apparatus and method for locally stimulating a subject, which can be used in particular for the stimulation of reflex points (acupuncture, auriculotherapy or reflexotherapy points), or nerve endings, by means of an infrared beam. The apparatus includes a control unit (1) controlling an infrared source (2) emitting an infrared beam (4), a storage unit (8) capable of storing sequences of beam-application parameter values, in particular the application time and/or the optical power output, a means (3) for applying the beam onto a point (P1, P2, P3), and a user interface (7). The user interface includes means (14) for selecting a sequence of values. The interface can also include means for indicating the position of the points, e.g. in the form of a graphical representation, means for creating said points, means for indicating and/or modifying the parameters relating to the infrared beam and to the adjustment thereof, as well as other parameters such as the name of the sequence of points corresponding to a particular type of care, or parameters corresponding to the stimulation mode (e.g. normal or intense, pulsed or continuous), the usage mode (e.g. expert, manual, automatic), or any adjustment parameters specific to the use of the apparatus in acupuncture, auriculotherapy or relfexotherapy. The control unit is capable of controlling the parameters and of controlling the emission of a plurality of sequential infrared beams according to the sequence of values, so as to enable the application, by means of the application means and onto a sequence of points, of a sequence of infrared beams which correspond to the sequence of values.
