Thermo-Auricular Therapy (Ear Candling)

What is it?

Thermo-Auricular Therapy (also known as Hopi Ear Candling) is a very gentle and relaxing treatment that involves placing a linen tube, covered with mixture of natural ingredients (beeswax, honey, herbs, flax, etc.) into a client's ear and burning it. It can be combined with light head massage during the treatment and a facial massage at the end of the treatment.

What does it do and how does it work?

Candles work on chimney principle. While burning a light suction is created in the ear and equalise the pressure in the head and ears. The TAT stimulates energy flow in head and ear region as well as peripheral lymph system..

TAT could be helpful with excessive or compacted wax in the ear, age related deafness, glue ear, flying discomfort (pressure in the ears during flights), allergies such as hay fever and others, migraines and headaches, sinus problems, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear), vertigo, neuralgia and especially with stress.

Treatment can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments (reflexology, head massage, aromatherapy, etc.).

What is a treatment like?

After a short consultation a client lies on a couch on one side (normally the better ear is treated first) and is covered with a blanket. Therapist inserts the tube/candle in the ear and lights the candle. After approximately 10 minutes when the candle burns out, the client turns to the other side and the process is repeated.

While the candle is burning a therapist may gently massage client's head to enhance the relaxation. When the treatment is finished, client may have a gentle facial massage.

The candles are then unwrapped and therapist studies the residue on the basis of which the treatment plan is made.

Contra-indications & Cautions

TAT can not be performed in the case of perforated eardrum, grommets (the TAT shouldn't be done 9 - 12 after the grommets have fallen out), babies under 12 months, in case of inflammation or infection and if there is an allergy to any of the ingredients of the candle.

How will I feel after the treatment?

After treatment a client will feel very relaxed and may have some popping in the ear, or a slight headache. All this should not last longer than 48 hours at most, usually it dissapears within one day.

How do I prepare for TAT treatment?

No preparation is needed.