How Do Hopi Ear Candles Work?
Hopi ear candles have been used for centuries, but how do they actually work? We explain the science behind the warmth, the gentle vacuum effect and the deep relaxation they bring.
The origins of Hopi ear candles and the practice of using them have been lost to time. In fact, the Hopi — a Native American tribe — assert that it isn't part of their family of healing practices. Some claim the practice originates from traditional Chinese, Egyptian or North American medicine. Some even go so far as to claim that the lost city of Atlantis is the origin of the Hopi ear candling technique. But fantastic origin stories aside, how does Hopi ear candling actually work?
The Practice in a Nutshell
After a thorough and professional consultation to see whether the treatment will be right for you, and to talk about anything you may be suffering from that might affect the treatment and the results (for example, we wouldn't be able to use Hopi ear on patients who have recently had ear or nose surgery), the treatment will progress like this:
- You will be asked to lay on your side, and then an ear candle — made of cotton and imbued with natural remedial ingredients such as beeswax, honey and herbs — will be delicately placed inside your ear. Your therapist will ask you if everything is OK and you want to proceed.
- The top of the candle (a foot or two above your head) will be carefully lit. This is where the magic begins.
- Enter physics. Probably the last thing you want to think about during treatment, but here we go: the hot flame at the top of the candle draws air from your ear canal up to the flame, creating negative pressure in your ear. This helps to loosen earwax and improves nasal and sinus airflow. Additionally, the crackles and instability of the flame itself (plasma) can vibrate through the ear and massage the eardrum — helping to loosen detritus as well as being a very pleasant sensation.
- The candle will burn for about 10 to 15 minutes and can be complemented with a massage of the outer ear, which not only feels great but can also help dislodge blockages from the inner ear.
- Candling will help lymphatic drainage by targeting key pressure points, allowing for drainage of fluids from the nose, sinuses and of course ears.
- The treatment will conclude — and your therapist will consult you about the next steps and self-care routines.
Hopi Ear Candling Benefits
As well as being an incredibly relaxing, aromatic and contemplative experience, Hopi ear candling has many tangible benefits for people suffering any of these conditions:
- Hay fever
- Sinusitis
- Headaches, irritability and high stress levels
- Excessive earwax
- Tinnitus
- General wellbeing
To find out more, give us a call and ask "do ear candles work?" Our highly trained, caring and specialist therapists will take it — and you — from there. After all, we all deserve to be well.