Tinnitus & Acupuncture: Explore Proven Natural Remedy

February 11, 2025

Tinnitus

Tinnitus & Acupuncture

Chris, a 45-year-old man, came to my acupuncture clinic looking for some relief from the ringing in his ears. He mentioned that it tends to bother him especially at night when things are quiet outside. Lately, the sound has gotten louder, making it difficult for him to get a good night’s sleep.

Before this, he decided to visit the doctor to have his ears checked and even got an MRI to ensure everything was okay with his brain. Thankfully, the results came back clear – nothing unusual was found! Since his doctor said he was perfectly healthy for a middle-aged guy, there wasn’t much more that could be done. Not one to give up easily, he started doing some research and discovered that acupuncture might be a great option to explore.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our licensed acupuncturist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

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What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you hear noise or ringing in your ears, and it’s a common experience for people of all ages. It’s not a disease, but rather a symptom of something else going on, like hearing loss, an ear injury, or issues with the circulatory system. The sounds can take on different forms, such as ringing, hissing, buzzing, or humming, and they can vary in how loud they are. Tinnitus can last for a short time or be a long-term issue, and it often seems louder at night or in quiet settings. While it can be annoying, many people discover they can manage it quite well through different treatments, including acupuncture.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss or exposure to loud noises can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to tinnitus.

2. Ear Infections or Blockages

Conditions like ear infections, wax buildup, or eustachian tube dysfunction can affect hearing and contribute to tinnitus.

3. Noise Exposure

Prolonged exposure to loud sounds from machinery, concerts, or other sources can lead to temporary or permanent tinnitus.

4. Health Conditions

Certain health ailments, such as high blood pressure, vascular disorders, or autoimmune diseases, may be linked to tinnitus.

5. Medications

Some medications, especially ototoxic drugs, can cause or exacerbate tinnitus as a side effect.

6. Jaw Joint Disorders

Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to tinnitus symptoms.

7. Emotional Stress

Anxiety and stress can worsen the perception of tinnitus, making it feel more intrusive.

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Is Acupuncture Effective for Tinnitus?

During Chris’s first acupuncture session, we took a close look at his ear and noticed some muscle tightness in his neck and around his ears. Even though he didn’t mention any neck pain or headaches, I found some tenderness when I gently touched his neck. This is actually pretty common for people with tinnitus, as many experience tightness in their necks. We decided on a treatment plan to meet for acupuncture once a week for a month.

The treatments aimed to reduce muscle tightness in his neck and ear while also balancing the autonomic nervous system. Acupuncture has been shown in numerous studies to be incredibly effective in alleviating pain and muscle tension, as well as in helping to balance the nervous system in response to stress.

A week after his first acupuncture treatment, Chris was beginning to show some progress. He experienced less ringing at night, which allowed him to sleep better. By the end of the third week, the ringing was not as bothersome as it had been before.

In just a month and a half, Chris was feeling so much better! He was about 90% recovered from the ringing in his ears and was thrilled to no longer need any treatments.

When Should I start Acupuncture?

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner one receives treatment, the better the prognosis. Some patients come for tinnitus treatment months or even years after the initial onset, and these chronic cases are often more complex and take a much longer time to achieve results. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

How Often Should I Schedule Acupuncture Sessions?

Regarding the frequency of treatments, Acupuncture follows a simple rule. Acute and relatively new conditions are most effectively treated with more frequent visits, whereas chronic and old conditions can benefit from more widespread treatments. In other words, if you just had an onset of tinnitus, you will probably be prescribed 2-3 treatments per week in order to get the most effective results, and chronic cases will generally come in only once a week.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with tinnitus and want to learn more about acupuncture and whether it’s appropriate for your case, send us a message through our contact page. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I appreciate your interest and hope to see you again for future posts.