The
Hopi Ear Candle treatment (also known as Thermo Auricular Therapy)
is a
pleasant, non-invasive treatment which is beneficial for many problems
related to the ears and head.
Ear
candling is an excellent natural remedy for easing sinus and nasal
congestion. Many people who suffer
from hay fever symptoms have found
relief
from the congestion and fuzzy headed feeling with this treatment.
What are
Hopi Ear Candles?
The ear candles are actually rolled cotton tubes impregnated with
beeswax, honey, St Johns Wort and therapeutic oils which are painlessly
inserted into the base of the ear to draw out impurities, relieve congestion
and relieve pressure in the head and sinuses.
Where do
they originate?
Hopi Ear Candles take their name from the Hopi Native American
Indian tribe, a peaceful tribe with great medicinal knowledge. It is said that the Hopi Indians used the ear
candles to clear their head before going on their shamanic journeying and
indeed one of the most common benefits reported by clients is a feeling of
being lighter and clearer in the head.
How do they
work?
The ear candles have
a gentle suction action (like a chimney effect) which loosens and draws out
compacted wax from the ear canal to be collected in the base of the tube.
The movement of the flame creates a vibration of air in the candle which gently
massages the ear drum and soothes the sinus and nasal passages.
How can they
help to ease hay fever symptoms?
The candles are particularly effective at treating congestion in
the sinus and nasal passages. Breathing
generally becomes freer and the head feels lighter and clearer, helping to
dissipate the fuzziness associated with hay fever.
I have treated numerous clients with hay fever during my 12 years
as a therapist. Client A suffered badly with a runny nose, sore eyes
and fuzzy head from the beginning of March to the end of August, despite taking
general hay fever medication. During these months I usually see this client
every few weeks to reduce the severity of his symptoms. He finds ear candling an enormous help – his
symptoms are noticeably reduced, he can breathe more freely and his head is
clearer.
What else
can they help with?
Ear candles can also help ease tinnitus, sinusitis, rhinitis, glue-ear, excess
or compacted wax, colds and sinus headaches. They help to regulate pressure in
the sinuses and inner ear canal and balance fluids in the inner ear, so are
very beneficial for people with balance problems such as Meniere’s Disease and
vertigo. They help ease sore throats,
reduce catarrh and can be beneficial to asthma sufferers. People who suffer from migraines often find
that ear candling reduces the occurrence and intensity of migraines. Ear candling also stimulates blood and energy
flow and stimulates the lymphatic system and metabolism. Ear candling is particularly useful for
people who have found syringing uncomfortable.
I
have found that ear candling can also help people who are prone to ear
infections. Client B went through a
phase of regular ear infections which re- occurred every few months, despite
taking medication. I was able to carry
out ear candling once her infection had cleared up. After an initial course of 4 treatments, her
ears were much clearer and her hearing improved. She now has treatments every 3 or 4 months to
keep her ears as healthy as possible.
The Treatment
The client lies on their side and the lit ear candle is inserted
into the base of the ear. The therapist
holds the candle in place throughout the treatment so there is no danger of it
falling over. The candle takes
approximately 12 minutes to burn down.
During this time the candles often make a crackling, hissing noise which
is entirely normal. Wax deposits and
impurities, along with candle residue, are collected in the base of the
tube. Once the therapist has removed the
end of the candle, the client is asked to turn over and the process is repeated
with the other ear. The treatment ends
with a facial massage to
promote sinus and lymph drainage and to allow the client a period of
relaxation.
Four to six treatments are usually recommended to treat a
particular condition. The first
treatment seems to loosen up compacted wax and stimulates blood and lymph flow
to the ear area, which helps to stimulate the healing process. Improvements can usually be seen after 3
treatments. Clients then usually take
regular monthly treatments for a few months before finishing the
treatment. With hay fever, I just see
clients during the spring and summer months when necessary.
Contra-indications
Ear candling is not suitable for people who have a perforated ear
drum, grommets or implants, recently had surgery to the ear or head, recently
suffered a stroke, or those with allergies to any of the candle contents. It
should not be carried out if there is any pain or infection in the ear but can
be performed once the infection has cleared.
Helen
Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist
based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre.
The Hopi Ear Candle treatment is available for £28. Please allow 1 hr. For further information about the therapies,
courses and workshops Helen offers, please visit her website http://helenshortland.com.
