Their knowledge of the ancient ear candling therapy has now been freely shared so that increasing numbers of people around the world are now enjoying and benefiting from the pleasant effects of this age-old ceremony.

My curiosity led me try this magic therapy at Evian Spa by Three, a chic, contemporary day spa that provides a luxurious escape from the hectic pace of city life.

The treatment lasted 45 minutes and started with a 15-minute head and shoulder massage. This was done to stimulate circulation and increase lymphatic flow, something which made me feel anything but relaxed.

After this, the Hopi Ear Candle treatment began. The equipment used included a pair of special "candles" which are hollow tubes that are still made by hand today using beeswax, honey extracts, traditional herbs and essential oils.

The ear candle was lit at the top and the other end was gently placed into one of my ears. I heard a slight crackling and frizzing noise as the candle burned, generating warmth around the ear.

My therapist said the hollow candle acts like a chimney. The combination of the light suction action (the chimney effect) and the movement of the flame created a vibration of air in the ear candle, generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. The suction caused the ear canal to warm and helped draw out impurities and toxins into the lower section of the candle.

This induced a pleasant feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ears. The warmth stimulated the vascularization, invigorated the immune system and reinforced the flow of the lymph. At the same time, important acupuncture points and reflex zones were stimulated.

The treatment was then repeated in the other ear and each of the candles took about 10-15 minutes to burn. Upon its completion, I immediately had a soothing, liberating, light sensation in the ears and head area.

It is said that the non-invasive treatment of the ears is used to treat a variety of conditions. It is soothing and helpful for many problems, especially conditions associated with the ear, nose and throat areas, such as earache and headache, ear noise, stress and nervousness.

The physical effect is often described by customers directly after the treatment as soothing and pleasant and a pain-relieving sensation, mainly in the ear and head area.

For me, the whole ceremony brought a wonderful relaxation, a feeling of happiness seldom experienced in other kinds of body treatments.

However, there are several situations in which it is strictly not advisable for the Hopi Ear Candle treatment to take place, such as an ear infection, a perforated ear drum or if grommets are in place. The therapist will give a consultation at your first treatment session.

Seeing is believing, and it is not hard to see why the old ear candle treatment has been handed down for generations.

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