hydrotherapy
warm compress: over ear
charcoal poultice: over ear
onion poultice: over ear
alternating hot/cold: hot 3 min., cold 1 min. towels over ear
wet sock treatment
carrot poultice: over ear, esp. if lymph glands swollen
clove of garlic (with no nicks) secured over ear; make sure clove larger than opening
Note: Ear candles have produced mixed outcomes upon testing and may present significant risks for injury if not properly used. A limited clinical trial showed no removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal. (Seely DR, et al. Laryngoscope 1996 Oct;106(10):1226-1229. )
manipulation
spine: check and align upper cervical vertebrae
Chapman's reflex: check and treat upper edge of clavicle lateral to first rib junction, check and treat TVP spaces of C1
Spondylotherapy: concussion of C2, C3
massage: eustachian tube, downward and medially
massage: cervical lymphatic chain downward with carrot juice
endonasal technique: to open eustachian tube
electrical and oscillating
infrared: to ear
diathermy: short wave
zinc iontophoresis: patient lying affected ear up, fill with 0.2 % zinc sulfate, place dropper in ear, pass zinc wire through dropper until touches solution attach to (+) electrode, place (-) pad to back,2-4 mA for 3-5 min., 2x per week (Johnson, 1946, p.204)
footnotes
Seely DR, Quigley SM, Langman AW. Ear candles--efficacy and safety. Laryngoscope 1996 Oct;106(10):1226-1229.
Abstract: Ear candles are a popular and inexpensive alternative health treatment advocated for cerumen removal. A hollow candle is burned with one end in the ear canal with the intent of creating negative pressure and drawing cerumen from the ear. If effective, significant savings could result from the use of ear candles. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of this
alternative method for cerumen management. Tympanometric measurements in an ear canal model demonstrated that ear candles do not produce negative pressure. A limited clinical trial (eight ears) showed no removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal. Candle wax was actually deposited in some. A survey of 122 otolaryngologists identified 21 ear injuries resulting from ear candle use. Ear candles have no benefit in the management of cerumen and may result in serious injury.