Hopi Ear Candling by Therapeaceful

Hopi Ear Candling (Thermo-Auricular Therapy), is an ancient therapy practised by many people on a world wide basis.

Its name is taken from the Hopi Indians of North Arizona, USA and means 'peaceful people'. It is said that they used the ear candles to treat ear problems. A Hopi Ear Candle is not a candle as such, but a hollow tube made out of cotton flax. To stiffen the flax, it is impregnated with extract of honey and herb oils (in particular chamomile, sage and St Johns Wort).

The Benefits of Hopi Ear Candling

Hopi Ear Candling has many positive benefits and can help with a variety of conditions of the ear. These include:

• Tinnitus
• Sinusitis
• Excessive ear wax
• General hearing loss
• Colds
• Tension headaches
• Travel sickness
• Meniere's disease
• Glue Ear
• Hay fever and rhinitus
• Headaches and migraines

Although there is no scientific evidence that Hopi Ear Candling can cure any of the above conditions there is a growing number of people who claim that the treatment has been a positive benefit to their problem. Hopi Ear Candling is a mild and safe therapy and its popularity is growing as more people become aware of its positive benefits. It is a safe and gentle treatment for children.

How often should you have a treatment?

Providing you have none of the contraindicating conditions listed below, Hopi Ear Candling will be a perfectly safe treatment for you to have. The number of Hopi treatments that may be needed to cure a problem depends on a number of factors:

• The age of the person
• the length of time they have had the condition
• what condition the person is suffering from

The older the person and the longer they have had the condition the more treatments that will be needed before there is a noticeable improvement, and some conditions are much more treatable than others, therefore fewer treatments are needed for positive results to be achieved. A Hopi treatment once a month can be beneficial for preventing problems.

The Treatment

You will be lying fully clothed on your side on a massage table. An ear candle is then inserted just inside the ear canal and lit. As it burns it produces a gentle local heat. The warm air combined with the oil and herbs soften the wax. The suction that is formed draws the wax and impurities from within the ear into the base of the candle. This process is known as the chimney effect. The rising air gives the ear drum a gentle massage and also helps to regulate ear pressure. A small amount of ear wax can be removed during the treatment, depending on the condition.

The candle is only allowed to burn to within 4 inches of the end of the candle, it is then removed and the ear and surrounding area is then massaged. You will turn on to your other side and the treatment is repeated on the other ear. After both ears have been treated a gentle facial massage is carried out, paying particular attention to the sinus areas. The treatment is very gentle and relaxing and may take up to an hour, depending on the condition being treated.

Contraindications (for adults and children alike)

Although anyone, can be treated with Hopi Ear Candling there are cases where Hopi should not be used. These are called contraindications. The contraindications for Hopi Ear Candling are:

• Infection of the ear
• Inflammation of the ear
• Surgery on the ear within the last 3 months
• Perforation of the ear drum
• Lack of ear drum
• Auricular cysts
• Grommets, drains or ventilation tubes fitted
• Known allergy to candle wax