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Pneumomassage of the eardrum
Pneumatic massage – a procedure, one of the components of a complex therapeutic effect on the human hearing organs. Thus, it is used in parallel with prescribed medications and other physiotherapeutic procedures.
What is pneumomassage?
This is one of the types of massages when a massage of a certain part of the body is performed by alternating exposure to high and low pressure air flows.
What are the benefits of eardrum massage? Changes in air pressure improve the general condition of the auditory organ: blood circulation, tissue metabolism. With regular visits to procedures, scars and adhesions disappear on the tissues. Thanks to pneumomassage, inflammatory processes are inhibited and their negative consequences are eliminated.
- Compression pneumomassage increases vascular tone and normalizes blood circulation.
- Infrasonic vacuum suppresses inflammation on the surface of tissues and stabilizes pressure.
- Pneumatic massage with additional electrical or mechanical action helps restore the functions of the eardrum and makes it more mobile.
Pneumomassage: action from the inside
Otolaryngologists prescribe a similar massage in order to restore mobility and sensitivity to the eardrum. During the vibrations transmitted by the massage device, it vibrates intensely. The muscle that is responsible for the tension of the auditory tube and the stability of intra-ear pressure also comes into motion. Therapeutic massage sessions have a beneficial effect on the condition of the middle ear cavity and reduce the likelihood of congestion. Because they provoke inflammation and ossification of the auditory ossicles. When the latter lose sensitivity to sounds, a person’s hearing decreases significantly.
Indications for ear pneumomassage
An otolaryngologist can prescribe a procedure not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of congestion in the area of the auditory organs. If the patient is diagnosed
- otitis (tubo-otitis or acute otitis);
- mild inflammation of the eardrum with accumulation of serous fluid;
- chronic ear diseases (tubo-otitis, post-inflammatory processes of the middle ear);
- adhesions and otitis media in the middle ear;
- hearing loss
- or undergoes a period of postoperative rehabilitation, he must be prescribed pneumomassage.
Contraindications to pneumomassage
The procedure is not prescribed if purulent processes are diagnosed in the ear cavity. Or there is barotrauma resulting from exposure to increased or decreased pressure on the eardrum. This can happen after air travel or a long stay under water.
How is pneumomassage done?
- A massaging effect on the eardrum can be carried out using special devices that operate on mains power. And through manual manipulations by an otolaryngologist.
- Mechanical devices used for pneumomassage include a special massage pump. By pressing the handle, the doctor supplies air into the ear cavity and causes the membrane to move. A more modern device pumps and rarefies air by rotating a wheel mechanism.
- The latest inventions in the field of pneumomassage include the “APMU Compressor”. The power supply comes from the mains; the kit also includes connecting tubes ending in rounded tips. They are placed and fixed in the ears. Thus, the doctor is able to perform pneumomassage of the ears at the same time.
- The compressor comes into operation within three seconds. The patient experiences virtually no pain or discomfort associated with too sudden changes in pressure. The massage can be performed without the direct presence of an ENT doctor, since the compressor is equipped with a special timer. If you experience discomfort, the doctor selects a comfortable amplitude and frequency of baropulse changes. In general, the procedure takes no more than 10 minutes.
Pneumomassage at home
Let’s start with the fact that this is only possible after receiving appropriate instructions from the attending physician. Where to start?
- Pre-clean the outer ear canal;
- Place your palms on your ears to prevent air from getting into them;
- start pressing on the ears to thereby cause changes in air pressure;
- the intervals between presses should be several seconds;
- increase the number of clicks to 10;
- repeat the procedure once – as a preventive measure and no more than three times – for therapeutic purposes.