Tinnitus is a symptom that can be annoying. While in some cases, it does not cause any harm, sometimes it indicates you have some medical issue, such as damage to the ear or the auditory system.
Although it is commonly referred to as ringing in the ears, you may also hear other sounds, such as buzzing, clicking, roaring, or humming.
Tinnitus is experienced intermittently by some people. Others may experience it for hours or even days at a time.
There is currently no cure for tinnitus; however, there are a variety of treatments that can help.
One that people talk about is acupuncture. Acupuncture can improve chronic conditions and pain. But can acupuncture help tinnitus?
Can Acupuncture Help Tinnitus?
Yes, acupuncture may be able to help you with your tinnitus problems. Tinnitus that is non-pulsatile and chronic may respond well to acupuncture, as this treatment has effectively reduced the intensity and volume of the ringing in the ears.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your body’s flow of qi (energy) is directly related to your overall health. This energy moves through the body via pathways that are not visible, which are called meridians. These are located in various parts of your body.
It is believed that qi can assist in maintaining the equilibrium of your body and promote its innate capacity to heal itself. One’s physical and emotional well-being can suffer when their qi flow is obstructed or disrupted.
An acupuncture session involves the insertion of very fine needles into your skin at specific points to stimulate those points and treat the symptoms being addressed. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this stimulation helps clear blockages along your meridians, restoring the flow of qi throughout your body.
How Acupuncture Can Improve Tinnitus
In some people, tinnitus symptoms can be alleviated through acupuncture. Because of its effect on blood circulation, it is especially useful for treating patients with symptoms that could be linked to hypertension.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there are five distinct types of tinnitus, each of which is caused by a unique disruption to a person’s qi. However, in most cases, the acupuncture treatment for tinnitus will concentrate on specific points within the ear.
When treating tinnitus or hearing loss with acupuncture, the needles are inserted into the skin in and around the ear to stimulate the affected areas. According to the findings of some studies, acupuncture can either eliminate tinnitus or partially restore hearing. Results that are considered to be conclusive are yet to be seen.
In conclusion, acupuncture may help with dealing with tinnitus. But further research is required to prove exactly how effective acupuncture really is.