Ear and ear massage

Ear massage - a set of methods of reflex and mechanical action on acupuncture (active points) located on the auricle. According to medical research, acupressure (acupressure) helps to relieve pain in the organ of hearing, normalize the functioning of internal organs and accelerate blood circulation in tissues. Experts say that properly performed manipulations can eliminate the manifestations of otitis media, such as congestion, tinnitus and even hearing loss.

There are more than 100 different acupressure techniques, each of which is aimed at improving well-being and restoring the performance of certain organs and systems. Regular acupuncture therapy leads to the normalization of the auditory analyzer, an increase in the body's reactivity and relief of local manifestations of most ear pathologies.

General information

How does auricle massage work on the human body? None of the theories existing today can explain how acupressure works. The point effect on certain areas in the auricle is still an exclusively empirical method of treating diseases, which is due to its non-compliance with the criteria of evidence-based medicine.

Most of the reflexology techniques are borrowed from the so-called zhen-chiu therapy, which was practiced in ancient China. Chinese healers are convinced that mechanical and thermal effects on certain points in the body contribute to the elimination of many diseases. However, the explanation of the principles of the impact of massage manipulations lies in the metaphysical area, therefore it is exclusively pre-scientific in nature.

Despite the archaic notions that underlie acupressure, the alternative treatment has spread far beyond China and is used therapeutically in many countries in Asia and Europe. According to a survey of patients undergoing acupuncture treatment with professional massage therapists, more than 80% of them said that acupressure of the ears is effective and really allows you to normalize the work of not only the hearing organ, but also the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Healing effect

Specialists in the field of manual therapy claim that ear massage relieves many diseases - such procedures activate the work of the endocrine, nervous, digestive and other systems, thereby increasing the body's reactivity. This helps to suppress inflammatory processes in organs and tissues, which leads to the elimination of such ear diseases as serous and adhesive otitis media, eustachitis, conductive hearing loss, etc.

How does acupressure work on the body? Thermal and mechanical stimulation of the active points located in the auricle provokes the generation of nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain. This leads to the launch of regeneration processes in the body, due to which the healing process of ulcers, mechanical damage and regression of inflammation foci is accelerated.

The benefit of ear massage is to relieve the clinical manifestations of ear pathologies without the use of medications that affect the performance of the detoxification organs. Thanks to the "acupuncture" launch of recovery processes, the outflow of lymph from the inflamed tissues is optimized, blood circulation is accelerated and swelling is reduced. A point effect on the active points in the auricle has a beneficial effect on the work of the ENT organs and other internal systems.

Acupressure cannot be used as a complete alternative treatment for ear problems. Manual therapy is used exclusively as an adjunct to the main treatment.

Massage receptions

How to properly massage your ears to improve hearing and get rid of ringing? In order to normalize the work of the auditory analyzer and eliminate inflammatory processes in its main departments, several basic methods of conducting fine-tuned therapy are used:

stroking - a light mechanical effect on the skin with hands, the pressure of which does not exceed the severity of the hands;
rubbing - mechanical displacement of the skin in various directions on the verge of pain sensitivity;
kneading is the main technique in manual therapy, aimed at warming up deeper layers of the skin and warming up muscle tissue;
shocks and vibrations - periodic oscillatory movements in the form of intermittent patting, increasing the flow of blood to the massaged tissues.

Each of the techniques promotes effective tissue relaxation followed by kneading and toning. Regular carrying out of the procedure guarantees the restoration of tissue trophism, due to which the processes of epithelialization of the affected mucous membranes in the outer and middle ear are accelerated.

Important! Reflexology is contraindicated in the presence of boils in the ear canal. Mechanical pressure on the auricle can provoke the abscess to hide.

Otitis media treatment

Before performing massage manipulations, it is necessary to go through a preparatory stage, during which you need to thoroughly wash your hands, lubricate them with creams, and stretch your fingers. Ear massage for otitis media involves the use of only the thumb and forefinger, with which for several minutes you need to influence the acupuncture points with rotational movements.

The required hotspots are located in the following locations:

on the earlobe and tragus;
inside the auditory canal;
on the head, directly above the upper point of the auricle;
in the central region of the auricle above the mouth of the external auditory canal.

How to do tragus ear massage? Therapy begins with rubbing the auricle, occiput, temples and neck area. This helps to accelerate blood circulation and vasodilation, due to which pain in the ear is quickly eliminated.

Important! Each of the acupuncture points should be massaged for at least 2-3 minutes. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the procedure will be minimal.

After warming up the tissues, they proceed to direct massaging of the active points in the outer ear. Specialists recommend paying special attention to the process, which is at the level of the junction of the auricle with the head. During the procedure, the tragus should be pressed with caution, without sudden movements. At the same time, the intensity of massage manipulations should gradually increase.

Home massage

This technique is aimed at massaging the ear membrane using air currents and negative pressure. Massage is used for congestion of the ears to restore its elasticity. This technique is often used in hospitals to blow out the ear canal to restore normal pressure in the middle ear.

During the procedure, you need to do the following:

cover the ears with your palms;
press your hands tightly to your head;
pull your hands sharply;
do at least 10-15 rhythmic movements.

Do not perform the procedure with perforated holes in the ear membrane and immediately after undergoing myringoplasty.

During the procedure, excessive external pressure is created on the ear membrane, which causes it to vibrate and stretch. Massage for ear congestion helps to increase the elasticity of the ear membrane and get rid of the unpleasant sensation in the ear within a week.

Eliminate noise

Tinnitus in 90% of cases is caused by the accumulation of liquid exudate in the middle ear cavity.Fluid discharge comes in contact with the inner surface of the tympanic membrane and the auditory ossicles, which are the main links in the sound conduction chain. Serous effusions distort the sound signals entering the ear, as a result of which a person begins to hear extraneous noises.

By acting on specific massage points for tinnitus, the unpleasant sensation and normalize the outflow of liquid exudate from the ear cavity. To do this, insert the tip of the index finger into the ear canal and exhale completely. After the feeling of vacuum appears in the ear, you need to make 10-15 circular turns with the index finger clockwise. Then the finger is abruptly removed from the ear canal, as a result of which the pressure on the membrane is normalized.

To restore the patency of the Eustachian tube, which acts as a "drain" that drains fluid from the ear, you need to do the following:

take a deep breath;
close your lips tightly;
cover your nostrils with your hands;
with light pressure, try to push the air out through the nose;
swallow air and repeat the procedure.

Do not try to perform the procedure for otorrhea (suppuration). This can provoke the spread of purulent foci into the mucous membrane of the inner ear.

When air is pumped into the nasopharynx, the pressure at the mouth of the Eustachian tube increases. This helps to increase the lumen in the ear canal, due to which the pressure in the ear cavity is normalized and the outflow of fluid is restored. To achieve the desired therapeutic result, the procedure must be performed at least 3-4 times a day.

Treatment of children

Ear massage for children should be carried out by adults in accordance with the recommendations of specialists for performing acupuncture techniques. With partial hearing loss provoked by otitis media, the procedure should be performed daily for 1-2 months. During manual therapy, you must:

massage the earlobe and tragus for 2-3 minutes;
press your palms tightly to your ears so that your fingers rest on the back of your head;
lightly tap the occipital bone with your fingers 10-15 times;
repeat the procedure after 30-40 minutes.

The massage technique is aimed at improving the innervation of the middle ear and restoring the functions of the nervous system. During tapping, the child will hear ringing, provoking oscillations in the ossicular system. Massaging the middle ear at home can increase the sensitivity of the auditory receptors, stop the manifestations of autophony, and prevent further development of hearing loss.

Important recommendations

The effectiveness of acupressure largely depends on the frequency of massage and the quality of the performance. the basic principles of manual therapy. To achieve the desired results, you need to follow these rules: