5 Breathing and Neck Exercises to Relieve Ear Canal Pressure

Not only may ear canal pressure cause pain, but it may also affect your hearing and balance. Combine neck exercises that relieve ear canal pressure with medications and your doctor’s recommendations to get relief.

In addition to pressure caused by earaches and infections, some pressure in the ear and jaw can result from temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, disorder and other joint-related ailments. Basic neck exercises will help loosen the muscles surrounding your jaw, which can indirectly relieve canal pressure.

1. Pressure in Ears and Neck

A change in pressure between the middle of your ear and the outside environment can cause ear barotrauma. Its symptoms include pain or a feeling of pressure in the ears. Barotrauma commonly occurs on planes when the altitude changes during the ascent and descent.

In addition to swallowing, chewing gum, and yawning, individuals can perform the below neck exercise to help release pressure in the ear.

How to Do It 

Place each hand on one side of your neck. Lower your jaw, exhaling slowly, keeping your fingers on your neck and under your jaw to make sure you are properly lowering your jaw. Breathe in and out deeply several times while in this position.

2. Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage can relieve pressure in your ear and discomfort from earaches.

How to Do It

Lie down on your side with your legs straight and arms at your sides. Place your index and middle fingers firmly behind your jawbone and under your ear. Slide your fingers down your neck, applying pressure on the region as you slide down. Repeat this 10 to 15 times on both sides of your neck.

3. Neck Extension Isometrics

Exercise will help improve strength and range of motion in your neck, which indirectly helps reduce ear canal pressure during changes in external pressure.

How to Do It  

Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and arms at your sides. Take your right hand and place it directly behind your neck and at the base of your skull. From there, apply light pressure to the back of your head. Resist this pressure by keeping your head in the same position. Repeat until fatigued.

4. Neck Rotation Exercise

This exercise can help reduce ear canal pressure by loosening your jaw and neck muscles.

How to Do It  

Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Slowly rotate your head and neck to the right, continuing to rotate until your head is parallel with your right shoulder. Slowly return to your original position, then repeat in the other direction. Repeat both sides until fatigued. As you improve, place a hand on your neck to provide slight rotation during your exercise.

5. Options to Release Ear Pressure

A simple breathing exercise is another option for releasing ear pressure.

How to Do It

Breathe in. Plug your nose and close your mouth. Without releasing this pressure, gently exhale as if you are blowing your nose. This might make a popping sound in your ears as the tubes in your ears open to regulate pressure.