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Ear candling is a simple and safe
form of hygiene.
It is a pleasant, non-invasive treatment
used for various conditions. This ancient and natural therapy
has been handed down by many civilisations including the Ancient
Egyptians & Aztecs. It is believed that the Ancient Greeks
also used ear candles, initially for spiritual cleansing,
purifying and healing, but much later on a purely physical
basis. The practice, however, reached the modern world via
the Native American Hopi Indians of North Arizona hence this
treatment is often called Hopi Ear Candling.
Ear wax; Its purpose and why it builds up.
Hair follicles and glands that produce waxy oil, called cerumen,
line the ear canal. Ear wax is healthy in normal amounts and
has a protective function. It prevents dust, micro-organisms
and foreign particles from entering the inner ear and also
acts as a temporary water repellent. It is a natural defence
mechanism without which our ears would be dry, itchy and prone
to infection.
Normally ears are self-cleaning with the action of the jaw
and the movement of the little hairs in the ear helping to
move the old wax to the ear opening where it drops away. Under
ideal circumstances you should never have to clean your ear
canals, but as we all know wax build-up does occur. The build
up and, worse yet, hardening of wax in the ear canal are the
main cause of major discomforts, such as a decrease in the
sharpness of hearing, irritation and itching.
Small items such as cotton buds should not enter the ear,
as they often push wax further in where it can cause more
problems.
About the candles:
The candles used are not your average dining table candle.
They do not have a wick, in fact they are hollow! At the Natural
Healing Rooms we use handmade candles from Canada, the ingredients
are strictly natural and untreated, guaranteeing the candles’
high quality and efficiency; 100% pure bees’ wax and
untreated linen fabric are used. These candles are slightly
conical; it is the tapered end that is inserted into the mouth
of the ear canal.
How does it work?
Thermo-auricular therapy works in three phases: Firstly, vapours
of smoke travel into the ear canal warming the pores in the
ear canal and softening the ear wax; secondly, with the tapered
end of the candle, firmly in the ear and the other end alight
a chimney effect occurs, whereby a gentle suction/vacuum draws
debris into the candle. Thirdly, the warmth also stimulates
the blood and lymph circulation, boosting the immune system
which in turn boosts the body’s natural cleansing action.
The benefits: Who & what it can treat.
Ear candling helps to equalise the pressure in the head and
ears, making it suitable for most conditions. Positive results
in cases of earache, sinus irritation, allergies, headaches
and migraines, as well as hearing impairment, tonsillitis,
glue ear, catarrh, excessive ear wax and tinnitus have been
shown.
Ear candling is suitable for almost anybody and can be used
on children as young as 4 years of age.
There are instances when this treatment cannot be performed,
the following is a list of medical contra-indications:
• Recent ear surgery
• Perforated eardrum
• Epilepsy
• Grommets
• Abnormalities in the ear structure
• Any current ear infection
This treatment is also not suitable if you have an allergy
to beeswax.
What does it feel like and what can I expect during
treatment?
The procedure is simple, safe and can be very calming. After
a brief consultation to ensure you have no contra-indications
your therapist will look into the ear using an otoscope. It
is important to view inside the ear before and after the treatment
to see how effective the candling has been and if further
treatments are needed.
You will lie on your side, fully clothed, and a light muslin
cloth will be placed protectively over the hair. The tapered
tip of the candle will be gently inserted into the ear canal,
until it feels secure, and then lit.
You will experience a pleasant hissing or crackling sound
as the candle burns, often described as ‘the sound of
gentle rain fall’, and a warm comfortable feeling. As
the candle burns down, the residue ash (if it falls) will
just turn to dust. The candle is then taken away while you
lie there for a few moments before turning over to treat the
other ear.
Most clients find the whole experience very relaxing. Some
fall asleep during treatment. The candles are burned to within,
approximately, 3 inches of the ear. The burning time of each
candle is between 15-20 minutes.
Some gentle massage movements to the sinus area of the face
along with pressure point techniques on the head are included,
which is both beneficial to the treatment and very relaxing.
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