What is Ear Candling and Its Benefits
Ear candling, also known as ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a centuries-old alternative medicine procedure that has recently been gaining popularity. The process involves lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal.
While skeptics may dismiss ear candling as pseudoscience, there are many who believe it can bring about physical and mental health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what this procedure entails and its potential advantages.
How is Ear Candling Supposed to Work?
It is said that if the body is under tension the flow of energy decreases till it is let go of or entirely blocked. You might not be aware of this at the start, but one of these days symptoms will appear in the body.
If this energy gets blocked in the head area, or once excessive ear wax develops, you might develop conditions such as stuffed-up sinuses or sinusitis, headaches, earaches, dizziness or vertigo, small hearing loss, raw throat or coughing, allergies, or upper respiratory tract infections.
If they're not cleared up, the flow of energy slows up and pain or discomfort commonly sets in. The removal of ear wax is a really small part of ear candling, as a matter of fact, seldom is any ear wax pulled out at all. Ear wax is necessary for our well-being.
It acts as a shock absorber for sound waves, and along with the hairs in our ears, it barricades dust particles and foreign material that may pierce the ear drum. It's when we have wax build-up induced by noise, pollution, dust, and so forth, nevertheless that issues may arise.
The burning candle behaves like a chimney and draws from the ear. The drawing effect, in addition to the warmth of the candle, are said to relax the body, therefore giving back to the body the power to heal itself. Once relaxed, the body begins to function by nature to heal itself; the wax begins to move again, and the circulation comes back to the whole head area.
In the external ear, we have reflex or pressure points, (the same as in hand and foot reflexology). As we work around the ear space, these reflex points are energized by the warmth of the candle and the stimulation of these reflexes may assist in the wellness of additional areas of the body as well. Ear Candling is likewise a Spiritual Therapy.
When the candle is burning, we might feel free to visualize issues, fears, or guilt being devoured by the flame. Once they're gone, we are free to move on. Ear Candling consequently may be effective by cleaning the inner self or emotions likewise.
The Connection Between Sinuses and Ear
If you’re suffering from sinus issues or even hay fever, many people wholeheartedly recommend putting aside any reservations you might have about ear candling and giving it a go.
If you're suffering from bad sinusitis, then you're more susceptible to sinus ear issues. If your sinuses get congested (sinusitis nose congestion), infected, or inflamed, it's much simpler for your ears to experience the same foul condition. Most individuals might not be aware of the connection between the sinuses in the cheekbones, the nasal areas, and the ears through the auditory tube.
This connects the sinuses to the internal ear and this connection makes it simpler for the infections to spread from the sinuses to the ear. The Eustachian tube’s slender bent shape is really inviting to infections. If water accidentally gets into the ear, this tube gathers up the water which can't be drained and consequently invites bacterial growth which will then induce an ear infection.
A sinus infection on the other hand is most generally known as hay fever or cold, but commonly, it's an infection in the sinus cavities. This sort of infection commonly begins from congestion and a little stuffiness in the sinus cavities.
The stuffiness will then induce excessive production of mucus thinking that there are bacteria or dirt and attempting to do away with it. When inordinate mucus is produced and there's a presence of a foreign invader-like bacteria, this will then induce irritation and inflammation in the sinus cavity.
Due to the swelling up of the sinuses, the mucus can't properly drain and will then grow into an infection causing sinusitis and sinus ear issues. Due to the association between the ears and the sinuses, any congestion that might happen in the sinuses may then move into the ears simply by sneezing.
When you sneeze, the air from your sinus cavities will attempt to escape through different portals inside its range, including the ears. When sneezing happens, the air is pressed through the Eustachian tube and this air may push the bacteria, along with the infection, into the auditory canal and this might cause sinus ear issues.
The Connection Between Sore Throat and Ear Problems
It is said that ear candling can relieve conditions affecting the ear, like earaches, tinnitus, excessive earwax, and glue ear. It is said to also benefit other conditions that affect the head area like colds, hay fever, headaches, sinus issues and snoring and is an extremely relaxing treatment in its own right.
Ear candling is said to open the ear canals and release pressure and help to carry off infection. Let’s see how sore throat and ears are connected. A sore throat or blocked ear is something that almost everybody has experienced at one time in life. A sore throat is an inflaming of the throat and most often it's painful.
It's caused by viral or bacterial infections, fungal infections, or irritants like pollutants or chemical substances. The throat is the common site for the infection to thrive when you're exposed to viruses or bacteria. You are able to get a sore throat if you come in contact with too much dust or any additional similar irritant.
If the raw throat is accompanied by a bad cold then your ears may get blocked. Antibiotics will help if it’s a bacterial infection but they don't assist in case of viral infections. In most cases, this trouble occurs as a reaction to a deeper fundamental problem.
Therefore, it may likewise be said that a sore throat is really a symptom of underlying circumstances, like a bad cough, an upper respiratory infection, fever and pharyngitis too. While a sore throat on its own is seldom serious, it may lead to a lot of discomforts, and trouble swallowing.
Studies suggest that there's a direct relationship between a sore throat and the ears, as the auditory tube, in the ear is connected directly to the ear. This tube executes the crucial function of keeping the fluid out of the middle ear. Occasionally, a sore throat may cause this tube to swell up, which in turn leads to extra pressure, blockage, and maybe even pain in the ear.
Therefore, it's very common for individuals to suffer from both a sore throat and earache at the same time. As a matter of fact, the ears, nose as well as throat are all closely associated, and in case of any inflammation, infection, or allergies affecting one area; it's rather likely for all the parts to get impacted too.
For instance, the sinuses cavities or pockets, which are placed near the nose, are likewise connected to the ear and throat. Consequently, in case of a sinus infection, individuals all suffer from sore throat and blocked ears or clogged ears. This is as the connection between all the 3 body parts allows the exchange of fluid between the 3 parts.
How to Do Ear Candling?
Ear candling works by creating a vacuum inside the ear canal that draws out impurities such as wax, dirt, and toxins. It is thought to soften impacted wax in the ears so that it can be removed more easily. Additionally, proponents of ear candling claim that it can help improve hearing loss caused by buildup in the inner ear canal.
The candles used for ear candling are made from cotton fabric soaked in beeswax, paraffin wax, or soy wax. They also contain herbs such as sage, chamomile, hyssop, St John’s wort extract, or eucalyptus oil for added benefits.
The ingredients infused in the cotton vaporize and are drawn down the hollow center of the candle thru a 'chimney effect'. Impurities are pulled out of the ear, into the candle, and either burned away or accumulated in the filter. Both ears have to be treated, and the treatment takes around half an hour.
A calming facial massage is commonly performed afterward, draining the sinuses, and reinforcing lymph action and blood flow. As well people claim that Ear Candling is likewise a good treatment to have if recovering from a cold or 'flu, or simply to de-stress and clear the head. The aromatherapy effects of the candle encourage relaxation and stress reduction.
Do's and Don’ts
• Never utilize them without a second individual who's able to supervise and/or help you.
• Utilize all cautions that an open fire calls for while utilizing an open flame. You'll need a glass of water, a paper plate, and matches.
• Cut a cross in the middle of the paper plate large enough to put a candle in it snugly.
• The little end is pressed through the cut in the middle of the plate, and jutting through far enough to be put gently into the outer canal of the ear.
• Lie on your side, push all the hair away from the ear, light the ear taper and place the small end in the ear, and hold gently between your fingers.
• Make sure you don't squeeze the candle.
• Make certain the little end is well seated in the ear making a great seal. • Slant the cone somewhat, without breaching the seal.
• If you would like to massage the individual, massage along the forehead, brow, cheekbone, jawbone, the side of the neck, and the back of the neck constantly towards the ear. Don't move the head around. This ought to be a gentle and relaxing experience.
• Be heedful to the individual that's being handled.
Benefits of Ear Candling
The primary benefit of ear candling is said to be improved hearing acuity due to the removal of debris from the inner and outer ear canals. Additionally, some people have reported relief from sinus pressure or tinnitus symptoms after using this procedure. Other potential benefits include improved balance or dizziness issues; alleviation from colds; elimination of headaches; reduced stress levels; increased energy levels; improved sleep patterns; improved lymphatic circulation; clearer thinking; and better overall well-being after regular use over time.
Conclusion
Ear candling is an ancient practice with many potential benefits that have been gaining traction in recent years among those looking for natural ways to improve their health and well-being. Whether you’re interested in trying this procedure for yourself or just curious to learn more about it, you now have a better understanding of what it entails and how it may benefit you.
If you choose to try this alternative medicine approach to wellness, make sure to do your research beforehand on the best practices for safety and efficacy when using an ear candle at home. Doing so will ensure you get the maximum benefit out of your experience with minimal risk of harm or injury.