Acupuncture for Tinnitus
Almost everyone has experienced that annoying ringing sound in their ear after a loud concert or working with power tools. But ringing in the ears that persists long-term is known as tinnitus.
Research estimates that more than 50 million Americans experience tinnitus. The prevalence increases with age, but many people suffer from it for various reasons.
Tinnitus is a medical symptom that signifies damage to the ear or auditory system. The challenge is to find an effective treatment for the condition. Medical science has yet to find a way to fix sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus completely. However, there’s hope – acupuncture can be an effective way to help with tinnitus!
Acupuncture is a minimally invasive technique that has been used for thousands of years.
It is a form of alternative medicine derived from ancient Chinese medicine. It treats a variety of conditions by triggering specific points on the skin with tiny acupuncture needles.
At Body Mind Wellness Acupuncture, our goal is to help you feel better, heal and balance the body and soul, look your best and laugh again.
What is Tinnitus?
When an individual experiences ringing or other noises in one or both ears, it’s called tinnitus. An external sound doesn’t cause the noise, and other people cannot hear it. Tinnitus is generally caused by an underlying condition such as an ear injury, age-related hearing loss, or a problem with the circulatory system.
People describe the noise they hear in different ways. Some of these include:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Clicking
- Roaring
- Hissing
- Humming
The noises may differ in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal and may be heard in one or both ears. For some, the sound is so loud that it interferes with their ability to sleep, concentrate, or hear other external sounds. It may be present all the time, many come or go, and can be worse a certain times.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss but is also linked to numerous health conditions. Some causes of tinnitus include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Prolonged exposure to loud noises
- TMJ when it irritates the auditory nerve
- Excessive earwax
- Circulatory problems like high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
- Head or neck injuries, like whiplash
- Allergy-related issues
- Meniere’s disease – a rare inner ear disorder
Some people experience pulsatile tinnitus. This occurs when blood rushes through the major arteries and veins in the neck. It can result from anemia, atherosclerosis, or high blood pressure.
How Does Acupuncture Help Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is related to the somatosensory nervous system, which collects signals from the sensory organs of the head and face and communicates them to the brain. When head or neck trauma, nerve damage, circulatory problems, TMJ, or other circumstances cause damage to the auditory nerves or the inner ear, signals can start to misfire. The hyperactive firing of the auditory nerves can lead to tinnitus.
Acupuncture is a minimally invasive technique used to stimulate nerve-rich areas on the skin’s surface to help glands, tissues, organs, and various functions of the body. Acupuncturists have used this method to help millions of people become and stay well.
Acupoints located near the ear are used to treat tinnitus. These points are rich in blood vessels and nerves. Other acupoints are used in other areas based on individual conditions. Acupuncture can relieve symptoms of tinnitus in many instances. It’s especially effective for situations associated with hypertension because of its effect on blood circulation. It may also alleviate pain conditions such as chronic neck pain or TMJ.
Contact Body Mind Wellness Acupuncture
If you suffer from tinnitus, contact Body Mind Wellness Acupuncture today. We offer acupuncture treatments customized to your specific needs. We aim to improve your health and wellness by restoring your balance using effective alternative medicine treatment techniques. We take the time to listen to your health concerns and provide honest answers and natural solutions.