What can it help with

Many claims are made regarding the benefits of ear candling such as loosening of compacted ear wax, reduced signs and symptoms of tinnitus, headaches, migraines, sinus problems, snoring, bell’s palsy, hay fever, labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease, dizziness, stress related insomnia and anxiety, to name but a few.

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In my opinion the benefit of ear candling comes from its ability to de-stress combined with the stimulation and warming of local acupuncture points. This stimulation and warming, particularly when combined with acupressure massage can stimulates the body’s healing processes potentially offering benefits from many health related problems.

 

What are ear candles

The term ‘candle’ is a little misleading as unlike everyday candles they are hollow, have no wick and are usually made from cotton, flax or hemp fibres. Good ear candles are made from unbleached organic crops and the fibres are stiffened by dipping into pure beeswax. Some candles incorporate herbs, essential oils and other ingredients.

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What happens during treatment

Ear candling is most effective when combined with a face, neck, scalp and ear massage. The massage I offer incorporates acupressure to enhance the therapeutic effect in a similar way to acupuncture but without the needles. Massage is recommended but optional.

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The session is in a warm treatment room with soft background music, you remain fully clothed. For the ear candling you will be asked to lie on the couch on your side (first one side then the other), for the massage you will lie face up.

Prior to treatment I will consider any contraindications and ask you to sign a consent form. Total treatment time with massage is about 50 minutes, without massage about 35 minutes.

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Contraindications

The candles I use incorporate a filter, this protects the ear canal from the loose debris and wax produced by the burning candle.

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If any of the following apply then ear candling may not be advisable, you should discuss your needs with Austin before booking; it is likely that a suitable therapeutic alternative can be offered.

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• Acute infectious diseases – Such as flu, mumps, measles, tuberculosis and chicken pox are highly contagious.

• Alcohol or drugs intoxication – May cause dizziness, nausea and inappropriate and dangerous behaviour.

• Artificial eardrums – Residue could potentially damage an artificial eardrum.

• Bruising, open cuts, abrasions or sunburn – These areas will be avoided during massage and if the outer ear is involved may negate ear candling.

• Cochlear implants – May cause damage and feel uncomfortable. However, an external hearing aid that can be removed prior to treatment should be fine.

• Ear grommets or tubes – Once the grommets or tubes have been removed you should wait 6 months.

• Eczema or dermatitis – If in the outer ear may feel uncomfortable and cause irritation.

• High temperature or heavy cold – Uncomfortable, potential dangerous and a risk of infecting others.

• Outer ear infections May aggravate and spread the infection.

• Perforated ear drum – Residue could be deposited in the middle ear.

• Skin or scalp infections – Such as impetigo, scabies, conjunctivitis, folliculitis, and pediculosis capitis (lice) and tinea capitis (ringworm) carry a real risk of passing on the infection.

• Conditions that may require approval from your doctor before ear candling

• Serious medical conditions – Such as cancer, diabetes, thrombosis and heart conditions.

• Disorders of the nervous system – Such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and trigeminal neuralgia.

• Epilepsy – Depending on your particular circumstances you need to be sure that the procedures and ingredients of ear candling will not trigger an episode.

• Recent head or neck injury – Blows to the head, concussion or whiplash can dislocate the middle ear bones. If you are experiencing new ear problems you should consult your doctor.

• Undiagnosed lumps, bumps and swellings – Any undiagnosed lumps, bumps or swellings should be seen by investigated by your doctor; these areas will be avoided during massage.

 

Cautions

 

• Allergies  – You may be allergic to an ingredient used in the manufacture of the candles although these are present in such small amounts that it is rarely a problem

• Low blood pressure – You may experience dizziness when sitting or standing up after treatment.

• Oil used in the ear canal – The oil in your ear may get hot and vapours could stick to the oil causing residue to accumulate. You should wait 48 hours before ear candling.

• Pregnancy – When pregnant you may be more sensitive to smells and prefer a candle with no added ingredients. It may be difficult to stay comfortable during treatment.

• Reduced hearing – When there is compacted ear wax hearing may be reduced temporarily due to it hydrating and expanding. Hearing should improve after a day or two as ear wax is naturally expelled.

 

Side effects

Ear candling should be a gentle procedure and the side effects are usually positive rather than negative:

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• Change in sleep patterns, often improved

• Changes in bowel movements (short-term)

• Feeling of fullness in the ears (more treatments may be required before wax is expelled naturally)

• Feeling of tiredness (short-term)

• Feeling relaxed and de-stressed

• Headache or light-headedness (drinking water after a treatment usually prevents a headache)

• Increased appetite (short-term)

• Increased mucus as sinuses are stimulated

• Increased thirst (short-term)

• Increased urination (short-term)

• Release of muscle tension

 

After-care advice

 

• Sit up slowly, you may be temporarily light-headed or disorientated

• Drink some water to promote elimination and help prevent headache

• Try to avoid water sports such as swimming for 24 hours

• Occasionally your ears may feel more sensitive to the environment, if so avoid winds and draughts, or place a small amount of cotton wool just at the entrance to the ear canal

• Never poke at your ears with cotton buds or other instruments as you may damage the eardrum

• If you have sinus problems cut your intake of dairy products as these promote mucus

• Frequency of ear candling

• The effects of ear candling, such as pressure balancing and expulsion of earwax can continue for up 48 hours so a minimum of 2 days should be left between sessions.

• Compacted earwax may clear after one session or may take two or more sessions

• In general chronic and severe conditions require more treatments

• Chronic sinus problems may require a minimum of 3 sessions not more than a week apart. Maintenance treatments once or twice a month may help to minimise your symptoms

• Unless symptoms are completely clear you may benefit from further treatments