What is Thermal Auricular Therapy?

Thermal-Auricular Therapy is often known as Ear Candling.  It is a non-invasive complementary therapy that has been used for many years to help treat conditions that are associated with the ear, nose and throat.

It is an ancient technique that requires placing a hollow, cone-shaped tube (‘candle’) that is made of cotton, soaked in beeswax, honey and herbs into the ear canal in order to stimulate the removal of excess wax and impurities.

 

What is Thermal Auricular Therapy used for?  

It is primarily used to treat irritations and pressure in the ear.  It can help to relieve the discomfort of congestion in the sinus areas, or the build up of earwax.  It can also provide relief for sore throats, glue ear, rhinitis and tinnitus.

It provides a safe alternative to traditional medical treatments such as syringing that people might find uncomfortable or ineffective.  It is ideal for all ages – including the young and the elderly.

It is easy for impurities to build up and cause problems that can interfere with hearing or cause discomfort because there are many intricate crevices in the inner ear.  Regular removal of compacted wax through thermal auricular therapy can help to restore hearing, relieve tension and pressure in the ear, whilst helping to cleanse the sinus cavities of bacteria that can thrive in the dark moisture of the inner ear.

 

How does Thermal Auricular Therapy work?

The treatment begins with the gentle insertion of the ear candles into the ear.  The candle goes in very slightly (about a centimetre), and is positioned upright.  When it is in a comfortable position it is lit and the hands are placed around the candle and over the ear to create a seal.

As the warm air from the candle comes into contact with colder air, a vacuum effect is created that draws out any wax or debris that may be in the ear canal.  The movement and compression that works between the ear canal and the chamber of the candle generates the air flow that stimulates a sucking action and helps to draw out impurities into the candle filter.

This removal of excess wax helps to clear the inner ear and sinus areas and can regulate ear pressure, as well as bringing a lighter sensation to the head and ears.  The herbs and essential oils that are infused into the candle can help to induce relaxation when the candle is lit and the treatment is started.

I use medicinal grade Biosun ear candles from Germany.  They are cylindrical in shape and burn for approximately 12 minutes.  They also contain a filter to catch any wax that might be drawn out of the ear, along with a burn line to indicate when to put the candle out.

 

Benefits of Thermal Auricular Therapy.

Ear candling is a holistic treatment – but it is not designed to be a specific cure for any particular ailment.  With that in mind though, there are considered to be a number of healing benefits and regular treatment is thought to stimulate and heal parts of the mind and body that extend beyond the immediate surroundings of the inner ear.

Regular treatments are considered to provide beneficial relief from the following conditions:

 

• - migraines

• - hay fever

• - anxiety and stress

• - post flying and driving pressure

• - swimmer’s ear

• - asthma

• - vertigo

• - yeast infections

• - colds and flu

• - parasites

• - snoring

• - itching in the ears.

 

Other potential ear candling benefits can include: 

 

• - Stimulation and detoxification of the lymphatic system.

• - A catalyst to clear nerve endings and promote healing.

• - Providing a boost to the immune system.

• - Improvement to mental functions, vision, hearing, taste and colour perception.

• - Bringing about a more balanced emotional state and clearer thinking. 

 

Additionally, thermal auricular therapy is potentially more effective for relieving wax build up than the conventional ear syringing that is used by medical professionals.  Syringing involves shooting water into the ears, and this can lodge wax particles further inside the ear canal which can then cause more discomfort.  If the water stays lodged inside the ear for too long, then this can lead to infection.  Compare this to using ear candles, which is non-invasive and draws out the wax using heat, rather than compacting it into the ear further.

 

Is Thermal Auricular Therapy Safe for me?

While it is considered a more comfortable and painless alternative to medical treatments such as ear surgery and syringing, ear candle treatment does carry risks. Having a lit candle inserted into the ear requires expert handling and supervision in order to avoid potential problems such as a punctured eardrum or burns to the face, hair, scalp, ear canal, eardrum and middle ear. 

 

It is advised that treatment is not carried out too soon after any form of ear surgery - and if a client has any of the following:

 

• - cysts in the ears

• - high blood pressure

• - on-going ear or sinus infections

• - cochlear implants

• - allergies to any products in the candle

• - inflammation in the ears

• - perforated eardrums

• - grommets or tubes in the ears

• - acute otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)

• - mastoiditis (an infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear)

• - difficulty in breathing around small amounts of smoke. 

 

Ear candling is safe, simple and relaxing - a holistic remedy that can be helpful in relieving a range of ailments as long as the treatment is not used in an excessive manner or carried out incorrectly. It is very important to seek out a qualified practitioner who is able to carry out thermal auricular therapy professionally. 

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