fluid buidl-up behind eardrum-what can i do?

[nycmom18]

about 1 month ago, we took a flight which is when my ears started to hurt occasionally. today i found out that my left ear has fluid build-up behind the eardrum. i was told to either take mucinex or do a nasal steroid spray. i would really rather do neither...

i have no infection as of yet, just occasionally throbbing pain.

any suggestions? how safe is ear candling and does it even work?

[sbgrace]

If you can find a cranial sacral therapist they can often help with draining. Chiropractic often can as well. A good one will be able to show you massage and other things to help drain it yourself.

I'll try to explain what I think you would do (we've been trained for my son but adult ears are a bit different and the directions change some). Put your finger in bottom crook of the ear and pull outward and I think back and slightly up for adults. If that doesn't feel like it's helping change the direction (down and back for example) till you find what feels like it opens it up.

Massage downward along the side of the head from the mid forhead (hairline) level, in front of the ears, and down through the neck. Long downward strokes. You're trying to move the fluid.

Some people find dairy decreases the fluid/congestion.

If you google I think you can find lots of information about the efficacy of ear candling. My research led me to conclude it doesn't work. But I know some people feel it does.

[lia_joy]

I did an ear candle once... Over 10 years ago and I was in my teens. i don't remember syptoms i experienced that lead my parents to get it for me, but I remember that it appeared to work, and felt relief from it. So I'd definately consider doing it again for ear conjestion... FWIW.

-Lia