Ear Candling Instructional Guidelines

Often, referrals for Ear Candling will present themselves from a personal recommendation, an advertisement in the Yellow Pages, the local Health Food Store, a Cosmetologist, or from a fellow Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioner.  Usually, the individual seeking an Ear Candling treatment state of wellness is compromised either by an ear infection, blocked sinuses, or headaches.  This potential client may or may not know anything about Ear Candling when the appointment phone calls comes through.  If necessary, a simple explanation helps to confirm an appointment for your services.

Ear Candling Supplies:

Once the appointment day and time is determined, it is necessary to assemble the necessary equipment. Prior to the appointment, assemble the equipment and ready the room or location where the Candling Method will be performed. Make sure you have a table such as a Massage Table, a couch or a bed that will allow the client to lie comfortably on their side.

The necessary equipment includes:

• 2 Flame retardant drapes
• 2 –4 Coning Candles
• Bowl of water
• Scissors
• Cotton Balls
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Matches
• Candle Snuffer
• Waxed Paper Plate
• Ear Oil
• Fire Extinguisher
• Pillows for support
• Baby Wipes

Prior to receiving the Ear Candling Treatment, it is highly recommended that the client complete an initial Intake form that consists of the client’s name, address and phone number, plus a brief history of current health conditions, medications and additional supplements.  Upon completion of this form, a brief discussion should occur between the practitioner and the client.  This conversation allows the opportunity to clarify any questions from the client as well as any additional clarification of information on the Intake Form. Again, it is wise to use this time to again explain what will occur during the Candling treatment.

Client Position:

Wash your hands before starting the Candling process and then position the client on either their right or left side, placing a pillow between their knees and a small pillow under their head.  Continue to give them details of what is about to occur, such as how long will the treatment last, any sounds they may hear during the session, or any unusual sensations they may experience.

Depending on what articles you have researched on Ear candling, you may have read to start Candling the ear that is more healthy or you may be guided to start the treatment on the ear causing the client the most distress. It is best to start with the healthier ear first, unless both ears are equally challenged, in which case starting with either ear is appropriate.

The Flame Retardant Drapes:

Once the client is comfortably positioned, place one of the flame retardant drapes on the pillow under the client’s head.  The other drape is used to cover the client’s hair.  The drape is placed around the hairline, behind the ear and over the shoulder that is closest to you.

Begin the Candling:

Place the equipment so that it is readily available for use.  Once the client is draped, placed a few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide in the client’s ear.  This will cause a bubbling reaction as it loosens earwax.  The client may experience a tickling sensation as well as diminished hearing.  Give the client one of the cotton swabs so they can place it in the ear canal and capture the excess Hydrogen Peroxide.

The Candle and Flame Resistant Plate:

Insert the appropriate candle through the hole in the paper plate. Remember that the small end of the candle is inserted first. The hole is made about 2 inches from the edge of the plate.  This plate prevents the dripping of candle wax onto the client.

Lighting the Candle:

Light the larger open end of the candle and observe for the presence of smoke from the smaller end of the candle.  Once smoke is observed, guide the candle toward the client’s ear canal and have the client insert the candle.  Apply gentle pressure to insure a good fit so that the smoke will not escape from the small end of the candle within the ear canal; escaping smoke indicates a poor seal. To insure an even better seal, gently pulling the ear at an upward and backward angle increases the entrance to the ear canal. Once the candle is well seated into the ear canal, the paper plate or aluminum pie tin should then be rotated to cover the client’s ear and shoulder.

Client Sensations:

It is not uncommon for the client to hear major crackling sounds during the burning of the candle. This is normal and should be communicated to the client.  The client may also experience a very warm sensation within the ear canal. This warm sensation can feel very soothing and relaxing to the point that s/he falls asleep.

The Smoking Candle:

The smoke coming from the burning candle should be at the top of the candle.  If smoke is seen coming from under the protective plate, the candle needs to be readjusted to assure proper placement within the ear canal. As the candle burns, the client will hear crackling sounds. As the ash from the candle increases, it will need to be cut.  The Practitioner needs to remind the client not to move too much as abrupt movement could cause the candle to tip over.

The Lymphatic massage:

One of the major goals of Ear Candling is to relieve pressure related to any of the structures involved with hearing or within the surrounding structures.  One approach that helps to improve or decrease the client’s symptoms is the use of a light pressure massage of the head, the forehead, the cheek, the mastoid area by the rear of the ear, and the area in front of the ear.

To decongest the area, the Practitioner must first stimulate the Lymphatic node areas that drain the head:

• Locate the collarbone on the same side of the ear that will be candled.
• Press the index, middle and ring fingers behind the collarbone and gently massage the area.
• Using the palm of the hand and flat fingers, sweep the Cervical Lymph nodes, located on the side of the neck, in a downward direction toward the shoulder.  Repeat two more times.
• Using the index and middle finger of the hand, massage the forehead in a circular motion in a downward direction to the Cervical Lymph nodes area.
• Repeat this action from the forehead to behind the ear and then downward to the Cervical Lymph nodes.
• Again starting at the forehead, massage the forehead to the area in front of the ear and then down to the Cervical node area.
• Massage the eyebrows, moving around the outer aspect of the eye to the cheek and nose and the upward to the front of the ear and then downward to the Cervical nodes.

The Burning Candle:

During the Lymphatic Massage be sure to keep an eye on the burning candle. When the length of the ash gets to about two inches, open the scissors wide and cut about ¼ inch above the intact candle.  Using great care, move the scissors and the spent ash to the water bowl for disposal.

Continue to perform the Lymphatic Massage to the head and neck.  Also pay particular attention to the client, and check in often to determine the client’s comfort level. If the heat from the candle is uncomfortable, immediately remove the candle and extinguish the flame with the candlesnuffer, when it is completely out of the ear canal.

If the client is comfortable, continue to cut the ash from the candle as necessary.  Allow the candle to burn until about 2 inches are left above the paper plate. Pull the candle and the paper plate and extinguish the flame in water bowl.

Completion of the Ear Candling Session:

Repeat the same process for the other ear.  When completed, wipe the     outer ear with the Baby Wipes.  The client can also clean their outer ears with either Hydrogen Peroxide/cotton balls or the Baby Wipes.

Place two or three drops of the Ear Oil on a cotton ball for each ear and then have the client place the cotton into their ears.  Allow the client to remain lying down at this time.

Often, the client will ask that you cut open the small end of the candle to see what is there.  Usually, there is a great deal of debris that is often assumed to be earwax, but in truth it is the melted paraffin.

Evaluating the Client’s Response to the Candling Session:

Help the client into a comfortable sitting position and ask them how they feel?  Are they dizzy, does their hearing seem to be improved, are they lightheaded, woozy, etc.  The questions should speak directly to the complaints the client expressed prior to the treatment.  Do they have any comments or questions regarding the session?  If so, this is a great time for further explanation and recommendations for additional Candling sessions, if necessary.  Candling can be repeated 2 more times over the next two weeks.  Any sooner may cause undue irritation to the ear canal.

After the Client Leaves:

Wash hands again and then clean the equipment completely before placing it in the storage area. Dispose of the candles, the paper plate, cotton balls, cotton swabs, etc in a plastic bag that can be closed completely.  Wash the scissors and the water bowl in hot soapy water.  The flame retardant cloths can be washed in cold water and dried for the next client.

Although Ear Candling is considered to be a gentle non-invasive Home Remedy, it is often used to address hearing, ear, sinus, headaches, gait imbalances and vertigo (dizziness).  The majority of clients using this Complimentary approach are pleased with the outcome since their health challenges are diminished.