You can use these massage techniques when you are in pain (pain from ear infection) and also after if your ear get clogged up and/or to avoid the ears to clogged up when you have cold or allergies.
You can't really do it wrong when it comes to massage. Just keep in mind that the idea is to break up any mucous and allows the fluid in your ear to drain.
Massage for Clogged Ears
Massaging your ear can help keep the Eustachian tube open. Using gentle pressure, draw a line along the back of the ear and down the back of the jawbone. Gently push and release the flap of skin in front of the ear several times.
You can also massage your ears by placing the fleshy part of your palm, just belong your thumb, over your ear, and rotating the ear in all directions.
Here is another version from a someone at http://forums.naturalparenting.com.au
Hi Bethany, I just wanted to second Evesmum's advice. In a hot, steamy shower massage the sinuses on the affected side of your face (you hear and feel the fluids moving) and put your pinky finger deeply in your ear and gently 'pump' the eardrum until you feel some relief. At the same time, as you massage down your neck as Evesmum suggested, move your jaw and stretch your head/neck in all directions. You will eventually feel a release of the trapped fluids and be able to breath through your nose. Do it at repeated intervals during the day as well to ensure the fluids don't settle and trap again. I think combining this with the onion therapy will do the trick.
Hope you're feeling better!
Self-Massage Techniques
Reducing sinus pressure and fluid in the ear from colds, allergies and sinus issues
This video is great for plugged ears- it's self massage - so you can do it as you watch it. If you are feeling pressure from your cold symptoms and plugged ears, this could help. The video presents Heather Wibbels, a massage therapist. She made a really helpful video using lymphatic drainage massage technique to relieve sinus pressure.
Usually I suggest people do this 2-4 times a day for about a week to get everything moving. If there's an underlying cause generating the fluid accumulating in the ears, you'll want to check with your doctor to get it completely resolved. This will move out the fluid that accumulates, but won't stop it from being created by the body!
Step 1 @ 0: 41: fingers above collarbone, slow light tap, 50 times -
Step 2 @ 1:04: fingers below ears angled diagonally along throat, 50 times -
Step 3 @ 1:22: horizontal fingers in back of neck, lightly pulling down, 50 times -
Step 4 @ 1:30: Live-long-and-prosper move with V between ears, pulling down diagonally, 50 times Step 5 @ 1:50: at bottom of ears in hollow, pump fingers diagonally, 25-50 times -
Step 6 @ 2:33: 2 vertical fingers in front of top of ears, slowly rocking from tip to bottom of finger, 15-20 times -
Step 7 @ 3:09: 2 diagonal fingers in bk of the mid-ear, slowly rocking from tip to bottom of finger, 25-50 times -
Step 8 @ 3:45: 1 finger in each ear, pull bkwards and out slightly, hold for 30 secs (or as long as it feels comfortable) -
Step 9 @ 4:23: repeat Step 8 but now pull downwards for same amt of time -
Step 10 @ 4:57: repeat Step 6 & 7 (rocking from tip to bottom) -
Step 11 @ 5:21: repeat Step 5 (pump fingers), 4 (live-long), 3 (horizontal back of neck), 50 times - Step 12 @ 6:04: hands on each side of neck base, pulling fingers from back to front, few times -
Step 13 @ 6:10: repeat Step 1 (above collarbone taps), 50 times - Step 14: hit like bottom to get this near the top :)
