Traditional Chinese Medicine: Ear massage |18 August 2021

In today's article, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, Chantal Hellevig-Lailam, shares her knowledge and advice to those interested, about ear massage, the associated health benefits and contraindications, as well the steps to perform an ear self-massage.  

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam studied TCM in China for seven years. She is a co-owner of the Traditional Chinese Medicine centre of Seychelles and is based in Finland, Helsinki, where she runs her own clinic, the Meridian Care of Finland.

Seychelles NATION: Can you explain what ear massage is and about how it is a part of TCM?

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam: The Chinese have used ear therapy for thousands of years to manage all sorts of health issues.

Ear massage, also known as auricular acupressure, is basically using massage to stimulate pressure points in the ears.

According to TCM, this energy travels along invisible pathways, known as meridians. Meridians are found throughout your body, including your ears.

By massaging certain points on the ears, we can help clear up any qi blockages (qi is the vital energy that circulates through the body at all times). In TCM, resolving these blockages may help with a variety of health conditions.

I like to teach my patients on how to perform self-treatments at home to speed up the healing process. You do not need any tools, just your ears and fingers. Ear massage as a self-treatment is not common in Seychelles, but it is very safe and an effective routine which we can add to our daily lives, especially in the mornings.

Seychelles NATION: What are the health benefits associated with ear massage?

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam: When you massage your ears, you stimulate so many energy points that run through your ears, and which are directly and indirectly connected to the rest of our organs.

This boosts the immune cells in your body, reduces feelings of stress or anxiety, relieves body pain, balances internal organs and helps you relax. The Chinese have used ear auricular therapy for thousands of years to address all sorts of health issues in the body.

Seychelles NATION: How often would you recommend doing an ear self-massage?

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam: Since this practice is safe, one can do this self-treatment as much as they want. I recommend every morning or during the daytime to massage the ears. Evenings might be too stimulating for people with sleeping issues.

You can massage both ears at the same time, from 15 - 30 minutes is suitable. You can also massage for very short sessions like 5 – 10 minutes, whenever you remember while watching television or in the bus.

Seychelles NATION: For those interested, can you share the steps for performing an ear self-massage?

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam:

First step: sit or lie down comfortably. Take 5 deep breaths and relax.

Second step: rub your palms together until warm and cover your ears with the palms; one hand on each ear. Repeat 5 times.

Third step: starting down from the ear Lobule, gently massage the Helix all the way to the top of the ears. You can do both ears at the same time, one hand for each ear. Repeat 5 times.

Last step: pinch the very top of the ear with 2 fingers, repeat the pinching 5 times.

Seychelles NATION: Are there any considerations or contraindications for ear massage?

Mrs Hellevig-Lailam: Just to avoid conflicts, we do not recommend this for pregnant ladies. Otherwise, it can be used on children to the elderly.

It is also not recommended to do the massage when you are very hungry or weak.

I recommend to do your self-treatment in the mornings with a cup of warm water, or herbal tea.

For more information:

-           Send a private message on Facebook page: Traditional Chinese Clinic of Seychelles

-           Email: chantal.hellevig@gmail.com

F.P.