Candling confidence crisis

Firstly, has the client checked with their GP to see if there is a problem with their ears?

Which candles are you using?

Also, whilst candles can help to loosen wax and can bring it closer to the service, its not the main purpose of the treatment. I've not had any problems with clients for this treatment, what I can say is that some people do need more than one session to gain maximum benefits, as do other therapies.

Don't know if this helps in anyway!

Ellie

The client has checked with their GP and confirmed there is compacted wax in one ear. I'm using Biosun candles.

I guess my main problem is that I used to feel confident/ sure that the candles worked on the principle of the chimney effect and that impurities were drawn from the ears and the residue left in the candle contained ear wax particles. Now however I'm not sure what I believe. If many people argue it can't be wax in the residue, my previous assumptions and what I was taught are wrong and therefore what I have been telling clients is also wrong?

Have you checked previous threads on the ear candling Mannion as there is quite a lot of info there.
Also, do you massage around the ears/glands after using the candles? I have one client who benefits so much more if massage is included - he also has compacted ear wax.

I can 100% categorically state that the wax inside the candle is candle residue.

If you are using Biosun ear candles there has to be a filter inside it.

If you open the candle after using it what side is the residue on? The side of the filter above, not below.

If wax was to get through the X of the filter, how would it get through?, why is there no wax on the below side of the filter? Why is there no wax on the filter?

The suction (chimney effect!!) of the candle would have to be the equivelent of a dyson vacuum cleaner to get wax to move.

Try putting something the consistency of wax e.g. toothpaste on a bit of paper. Hold a candle over it and what happens....nothing.

The only benefit of the candles drawing effect would be in regulating pressure in the ear canal and sinuses.

The warm air in the candle will circulate in the ear and may loosen any earwax which is impacted. In time the softer earwax may work its way out the ear canal and may be removed with a soft tissue.

Anyone...and I do mean anyone who thinks the content of ear candles is cerumen (ear wax) should read Edzard Ernst's paper "Ear Candling, A Triumph of Ignorance over Science".

In this paper he has taken used ear candles and analysed the residue of each and every one. Every candle, without exception contained candle residue and no human cerumen.....not one.

The only thing I disagree with in the Ernst study is that he said that they are dangerous (some makes of candles are, but not Biosun).

However Mannion, what I think you should consider is......the warm air may soften hard wax and eventually it will work its way to the ear surface (usually a few days after treatment, not immediately).

Also, it is a pleasant treatment which alleviates sinus pain, headaches and generally relaxes the client. Especially when performed with a face massage focusing on the sinus areas and lymph glands.

But....we really do have to stop kidding ourselves (and the client) as to what these candles can do.

When we make spurious clains about the candles "containing earwax" then it is no wonder the medical profession scorns us.

Regards

Patchouli

I agree with Patchouli, if anything is doing anything, it is the warm air and smoke. Many people find that very soothing to ear conditions, and emotionally (maybe it sort of mimics someone whispering softly into their ear, like a mother to a baby? maybe it is just the lying down quietly for 15min that causes the relaxation effect?)
Blowing smoke into the ear is quite common in many traditional cultures, including some European ones, for ear conditions. Ear candles seem to get smoke into the ears without the client ending up with a face full of smoke. (maybe the smoke kills off parasites?)

Ear candles seem to do a few different things - pulling wax out of the ear and into the the candle is not one of them.

Hi ya Mannion

I understand how you feel. I felt the same for a long time about this ear wax nonsense. I think ear candling is a great therapy in its own right, but it has its limits. Have you mentioned to your client about putting a few drops of warm olive oil or bicarbonate of soda (which you can get from the chemist) in the ear for a few nights before the candling treatment. It may help to dislodge the compacted wax.

Cheers

RP

Hi there...totally understand your lack of confidence........i did my course at a reputable training venue . I began to treat my clients telling them the residue was earwax etc etc and then as i always do i kept abreast of my therapy and read round. When i discovered the info about it not being earwax it made sense and i thought "THIS.....read backwards!!" .
I was taught at a reputable training venue and if they are not teaching the correct information that is BAAAAD.
I felt uneasy for a while "what should i tell my clients ?" I then read the book by Andrew Sceats on ear candles which i found really informative,giving me new direction for my clients.
Dont see this as an obstacle look at it as an opportunity.......you are now informed!

Thanks for the responses

I have since read the Andrew Sceats book and am due to attend his course very soon. I feel much more confident now and have learnt a valuable lesson in the process. In future I will ensure I do far more research regarding where to study for courses. 😮

Hi there, I am afraid I don't believe in the candling doing anything other than just providing relaxation and focus, but that in itself is valuable! I only tried the biosun candles myself once as I was bought some as a gift. I actually thought I would try it on my 6 yr old as she was quite deaf with wax build up. She LOVED it, really loved it. It did nothing to improve her hearing, but she relaxed so deeply and saw colours, etc. I haven't done it on her since as I don't like 'meddling' with things I know nothing about, but I can say that I was very surprised by her positive reaction and how calm she was after. This is a kid who already uses hypnosis, meditates and enjoys reiki so I don't think it was the novelty factor! Yes, I would certainly recommend looking into any therapy you are planning to learn and decide how useful/practical it will be before embarking upon it (and shelling out lots of $$!)

Hi ya T123

I trained with Andrew Sceats several years ago and you won't be disappointed!

Best Wishes

RP