One thing everyone can agree on is that cancer is stressful! But there is a free and simple stress reliever you may not know about.
Ear massage for stress relief may not be the first thing you think of doing when you’re overwhelmed, but this post will explain why you should consider it.
We all know that a healthy diet and exercise are great at keeping our stress levels low. But sometimes, you just don’t have the energy if you’re wiped out from treatment or pain.
Caregivers have a physically demanding role, and they, too, carry a lot of stress, so fitting in time to work out can seem impossible.
Thankfully, there’s a quick and easy method to start reducing stress hormones: ear massage or ear acupressure. This can be done at any time, and you don’t need special equipment.
Ear massage involves rubbing your fingers in circular motions in different parts of the ear. This has a relaxing effect on the nervous system.
For additional benefits, you can apply gentle pressure to specific ear pressure points (known as ear acupressure).
I regularly use ear massage for stress and anxiety. I like that I can do them anywhere. They’re also not as obvious as deep breathing if I’m in a public place.
The Why Behind Ear Massage
Your ear lobes are more than just a spot for jewelry. They’re packed with nerve endings, making them super responsive to touch.
This makes them a prime area for ear massage and acupressure.
When you massage different parts of the body, you tap into the autonomic nervous system. This system controls bodily functions without you thinking about it, like your heartbeat.
Ear stimulation also provides a release of endorphins, helping to relax tense muscles.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used ear acupressure, massage and ear acupuncture for thousands of years. The ear has over 200 pressure points / nerve endings that are related to different areas of the body.
The use of pressure points on the ear to affect various parts of the body is also called ear reflexology.
Thankfully you can do ear massage and acupressure on yourself without using the needles of acupuncture.
I once read that the ear and its related body areas can be remembered by thinking of the ear as the shape of a fetus:
- The lobe represents the curled up feet and legs and the organs
- The middle of the ear relates to the spine and
- The top of your ears represent the neck and head
This may be an generalization, but you can see in the picture below some of the different spots the ear pressure points relate to.
When my mother-in-law had lower back pain from her tumor resting on her spinal cord and surrounding nerves, we used very gentle pressure on acupressure points in the middle of her ear. This did provide some pain relief for her.
Steps for Simple Ear Massage
Here’s how to do a simple ear massage. Gentle pressure is key – this should never hurt.
- If you’re wearing earrings, remove them. Some report they have better results when piercings are removed.
- Grab the soft bottom part of your ears, the lobes, between your index finger and thumb.
- Gently rub your fingers in circles while pulling the lobes in different directions.
- Next, with the tip of your index and middle fingers, make small circles around the outline of your ears.
- Once you’ve done this a few times, gently press on the hollow indented area behind the earlobes for about 20 seconds.
- Then move to the top of the ear and again with your index finger and thumb, roll the outer edge of your ear outward. Do this all the way down to the earlobe and repeat.
- Next, find the Shen Men acupressure point (see the image below). Press on that spot with your index finger and hold it there for up to 30 seconds.
- You can repeat these moves a few times until you start to feel more relaxed as your levels of endorphins increase in your body from the massage.
These moves are easy and can be done pretty much anywhere.
Whether you’re at home or out and about, a few minutes of ear massage can make a big difference in reducing stress.
If you’re a more visual learner, this YouTube video demonstrates a longer (about 7 minutes) ear massage for stress and anxiety that you can do.
Boosting Stress Relief with Essential Oils in Ear Massage
To amp up the stress-busting benefits of ear massage, try mixing relaxing essential oils like lavender or chamomile with coconut oil.
Apply the mixture to your ears as you massage.
Rub it around your outer ear, but keep it out of your ear canal.
Other Benefits of Ear Massage
Ear massage isn’t just about decreasing stress and anxiety. Here are other benefits of ear reflexology:
- Boosts blood circulation, which can also improve your immune system
- Reduces physical pain, including chronic pain, headaches and migraines
- Relieves insomnia and provides better sleep
- Boosts energy
Ear massage, ear acupressure and ear acupuncture have also been successfully used for quicker weight loss by decreasing appetite and food cravings.
Another area this is often used is in addiction treatment, especially while the person is going through detoxification of addictive substances.
One of the ways acupuncturists help provide longer term relief is by applying ear seeds to different points on the ear.
This is a hard seed, like a tiny pebble attached to a small sticky bandage. It places constant pressure on the specific point that addresses your health concern.
I’ve used ear seeds before, and though it can take a bit to get used to sleeping with them at first, they are effective.
Why Ear Massage For Stress Is a Must-Try
Ear massage is simple, fast, easy to do, is free, and doesn’t require any special equipment. You’ve read all about the different benefits from releasing stress and anxiety, decreasing pain, and improving your immune system. Each of these are very important for someone with cancer.
Plus it just feels good. The natural endorphins or feel good hormones released with these simple movements can quickly improve your mood.
So next time you realize you’re holding tension in your neck or shoulders, or are feeling anxious or stressed, try a quick ear massage and see how it works for you!
