Self Help through your Ears!
Self-Help through Auricular Reflexology for Everyone!
Foot Reflexology is amazing. There is no doubt about this in my mind and in the minds of the many people who have benefitted from this simple yet effective therapy for decades. Hand reflexology too is marvellous and is incredibly de-stressing and rebalancing.
However when it comes to self-help, I find that working your own ears is the easiest, quickest and most effective route to ease pain, balance the hormones and revitalise the whole body.
There is no bending down or pulling the foot up, no working one foot or hand at a time and no large area to cover when you are feeling out of sorts. For with ears you can work both simultaneously - sitting, standing or lying down. I love working my ears sitting at my desk with both elbows on the desk and my head bent forward; it provides a few welcome refreshing minutes break from working on the computer. Once you have mastered some of the simple ear techniques it is easy to share with your clients, friends and family.
In simplest terms, the ear is in the shape of an inverted (upside down) fetus so the ear Lobe represents the head, the Concha or central ear the internal organs, the Antihelix (the spiralled ridge that curves around the Concha) the spinal nerves and working out towards the Helix (the outer curved rim of the ear) you find the back, shoulders and most of the musculo-skeletal system. For a full picture of the body on the ear, the anatomy of the ear and all of the body systems then please look at the college ear charts.
Contemporary Reflexology College
Ear Chart centre page
So let’s get started so you too can feel some of the benefits.
I have tried to explain a simple treatment below but if you find it too
complicated simply massage your ears in any way that feels right for
you and the warmth you feel will be very healing.
Self Help with Ear Reflexology (daily recommended!)
Working both ears simultaneously
1. Make an intent for your treatment, such ‘I intend that this treatment will bring balance and harmony to my mind, body and spirit’.
2. Place the palms of your hands over your ears and breathe slowly and gently for a few breaths focusing on any areas of your body that need attention.
3. Gently stretch and pull the Lobe downwards and then the whole ear outwards.
4. Start in the centre of the ear on what is called the root of the Helix. The helix is the outer curved rim of the ear that starts in the centre of the ear and finishes as it joins the ear lobe on the outer edge of the ear. The centre of the ear is the anatomical centre of the body and there is an effective rebalancing point called Point Zero here. Point Zero brings the whole body into balance helping brain activity, hormonal activity and energy. Place the tip of your index finger nails gently in little grooves or notches in the middle of this raised ridge, create a light link and hold for a few seconds. Don’t worry if you can’t feel them at first simply make the intent that you are balancing your body with this light link. Then use your index fingers to work in little circles all along the ridge which is the root of the helix and the Concha ridge that divides the Concha into upper and lower sections. As you work towards the face you are working the solar plexus and diaphragm as well as a point for the Vagus nerve.
5. Pinch with thumb and index finger all around the Helix until you reach the Lobe. You may find it easiest to start with your thumb on the inside of the Helix and your index finger on the top and then swap them when you get to the Apex or top of the ear. The Helix is helpful to work for inflammation, allergies, pain and skin disorders.
6. Pinch press in the same way all around the Antihelix (the curved ridge that spirals around the Concha – Anti means in front of, so the Antihelix is in front of the Helix, it divides into two Crura or legs (Crus is one leg) either side of a hollow at the top of the ear) starting at the Lobe and working up until you finish under the Helix towards the face. Again you may need to swap your thumb and index fingers halfway. Just work in the most comfortable way for yourself. The Antihelix is worked for the spinal nerves, the neck, chest and abdomen and then it becomes the Inferior Crus or Lower Leg of the Antihelix where you find the buttocks and the sciatic nerve as you reach the Helix towards the face.
7. Massage and press into the Superior Crus of the Antihelix. This means the upper leg where the Antihelix heads upwards towards the top of the ear just above the Triangular Fossa which is a triangle shaped hollow in between the two Crura of the Antihelix - it is simpler than it sounds! This leg of the antihelix is worked for the hips, knees, legs and feet.
8. Press in and Massage the Triangular Fossa. This is the hollow found between the two Crura (legs) of the Antihelix and is worked for the pelvis and reproductive system. There is a very important point located at the upper part of the apex of the triangle called the Shen Men. The Shen Men (Spirit Gate) is for pain relief and has strong analgesic properties. It is the balancing point for overall well-being. It balances the emotions and calms the mind. Work for stress, pain, tension, anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, excessive sensitivity and addictions. Used in all treatments it is the most important master point. Working the Shen Men also helps to activate other points as does Point Zero.
9. Press in and Massage the Scaphoid Fossa. Fossa means hollow and scaphoid means boat shaped, so it is the long narrow boat shaped hollow under the helix stretching from the Lobe up to the Apex of the Helix. Here we work for the shoulders, arms, elbows and hands.
10. Press into the Concha with your index finger and rotate. The Inferior Concha houses the Respiratory System and Heart, the upper Digestive System and Spleen and the Superior Concha the Liver, Gall Bladder, Intestines and the Urinary System. It is great to sweep the Concha from above the opening to the Auditory Canal against the wall of the Helix root all the way against the root to the Concha ridge and then against the wall of the Helix Root in the Superior Concha to under the Helix against the face. This covers the GI tract and is therefore marvellous for digestive issues.
11. Pinch and Press the Tragus. The Tragus is the flap that can block off the auditory canal when it is pushed downwards. The Tragus has the Adrenal gland in the centre at its apex if you have one rounded dome or in the centre if you have two little domes – run your index finger over the top of the tragus to see what you have. There are points on the surface to help with appetite control, high blood pressure and thirst. On the underside called the Sub-Tragus you find calming points, a point to help with nicotine cravings and the Master Oscillation point which balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain and helps to rebalance where laterality (when one side is more dominant) is an issue or people are oscillating – this is when you work on one side of the body, the client feels it in the opposite side.
12. Pinch and Press the Antitragus. This is opposite the Tragus, the hill on the other side of the valley or the Intertragic Notch. Work here for the brain, thyroid and parathyroid glands, the occiput and temples.
13. Pinch the Intertragic Notch and slide the index finger nails in and slide them back and forth to access the Endocrine balancing point and Pituitary gland, it may feel sharp if you hit the right spot. The Pineal gland which is worked to aid sleep is underneath the Intertragic Notch onto the sub-tragus. Work the Intertragic Notch for all hormonal problems.
14. Thumb walk and massage the Dorsum of the Ear working across the ear from the head to the outer edge of the ear. The back of the ear is important to work for the spinal nerves, the vagus nerve, any back problems, the lungs, spleen, liver and kidneys.
15. Stroke down the groove where the dorsal ear meets the head. Stroking down the back of the ear against the head is very soothing and calming and can calm a crying baby or child.
16. Massage and finger walk the Lobe. Here are points for the teeth, the tongue, the jaw, inner ear, eyes, face, lips, tonsils, the TMJ and chin. There are Chinese points to help toothache, sneezing, memory, mood and metabolism.
17. Return to any tender areas, palpate and hold or link.
18. Press and Hold the Ear Shen Men point in the triangular Fossa (point 8).
19. Massage and stroke around the ears.
20. Place your palms over the ears for a few moments while taking a few gentle breaths in and out.
21. Drink some water and sit quietly for a few moments reflecting on what you feel on your ears and in your body.
22. Ground yourself by pressing the metatarsal pads of your feet into the ground to connect Kidney 1 acupressure point which is also called Bubbling Spring and is very grounding.
N.B Auricular Reflexology is not a substitute for medical care, please consult your GP if you have any medical problems.
Contemporary Reflexology College Ear Anatomy Chart on the front and the Body Systems on the back.
These are photos, please visit the college shop to order the laminated A3 original. If you are a qualified reflexologist and are keen to learn more then please Click Here for workshops.
