HOPI
EAR CANDLING
Thermo-Auricular
Therapy (ear candling) is a pleasant non-invasive treatment
of the ears and used to treat a variety of conditions including
Tinnitus, Headaches/migraines, excessive/compacted ear
wax, mild hearing loss, glue hear, ear aches, sinus problems,
colds/flu, sore throats, snoring (in some cases), hay fever,
Menieres disease, pressure regulation and stress. These
ear candles induce a revitalising heat upon the head and
ears which soothes, relieves and relaxes. Today ear candling
is performed in many natural and alternative healthcare
practices.
THE
TREATMENT
A
relaxing atmosphere is created, with soothing music, and
fragrant essential oils, and the lighted ear candle is placed
with its base in the clients ear. A light suction action
(chimney effect) and the movement of the flame create a vibration
of air in the ear candle, generating a massage-like effect
on the eardrum. This induces a feeling of warmth and a balance
of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses. It is soothing
and helpful for earache and headaches, ear noise, stress
and nervousness. The physical effect is often described directly
after the treatment as a soothing, pressure and pain relieving
sensation, mainly in the ear and head area. Treatment may
also spontaneously cause freer nasal breathing and an improved
sense of smell even when the nose was blocked before treatment.
Gentle heat is experienced around the ear, promoting the
blood and lymph circulation. The heat is transmitted through
to the rest of the ear and surrounding structures. The ingredients
of the candle vapourise and circulate around the outer part
of the ear. This draws out impurities and promotes the natural
release of excessive earwax from the ear canal. Earwax is
softened and can be removed up to 48 hours after a treatment,
e.g. it is usually naturally expelled in the shower or on
the pillow in the morning. Hearing can be temporarily reduced
by the wax expanding, just as when drops are put in the ears,
the wax is hydrated and expands before being removed.
As
the ingredients vapourise, they are drawn down inside the
candle and circulate around the ear canal. (The sizzling
sound the client hears is the ingredients vapourising).
The vapours are also inhaled through the nose and into
the lungs, where their therapeutic properties are circulated
around the body via the blood. Many of the constituents
of the candles have properties that calm and soothe the
nervous system, and also have the effect of lifting depression
and promoting a ‘feel good factor’.
A
light head and facial massage completes the treatment.
Afterwards the contents of the candle are examined to see
how effective the treatment has been and to indicate how
further treatments should proceed.
