Asia has been applying tinnitus acupuncture as a form of alternative treatment for ringing in the ears. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the “qi” or energy in your body flows in a pattern along body pathways called “meridians.” Elements called “yin” and “yang” work along with the “qi” by maintaining the balance inside the body. The disturbance between “yin” and “yang” disrupts this flow of “qi,” which manifests as symptoms like ringing in the ears. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the balance and bring back your body to its optimal health.
Causes of tinnitus
It is important to know several things first before you undergo tinnitus acupuncture. You should know the underlying cause of your ear problem so that the acupuncturist (or acupuncture practitioner to some) will know how to plan the procedure. Here’s a list of some of the most common causes of tinnitus.
- Sudden (i.e. gunshot, explosion) or prolonged (i.e. concerts, listening through headphones with volume on full blast) exposure to loud noise.
- Wax buildup
- Certain medicines such as strong antibiotics
- Trauma
- Ear infections
- Tumor
Visit a physician first so you will know the exact cause of your condition.
Tinnitus acupuncture procedure
Your acupuncturist will now perform his own assessment after taking your medical history to see if your condition is caused by an “excess” or “deficiency” between the elements. This will help determine the sites for needle insertion, as well as the steps for the procedure. Depending on your state, acupuncture for tinnitus may involve inserting a needle through your ear. Your acupuncturist may recommend an addition of other holistic and traditional therapies such as massage and herbal preparations. These alternative remedies will help restore the balance of “qi” in your body, and also to help your body relax and accept the therapy. As you go through the procedure, you’ll feel a tingling sensation or warmth in the insertion sites. Let the feeling of wellbeing flow through your body and allow the treatment do to its work.
Benefits of acupuncture
Tinnitus acupuncture has many benefits. Tinnitus can cause a person to lose sleep because the constant ringing in the ears can be disturbing. This can result to irritation and even depression. Tinnitus and acupuncture go together because the procedure not only helps in eliminating the irritating noise, it also helps in treating depression and anxiety. The calming effect produced by the needles as a result of the returning balance of “qi” in your body will allow your body to relax and help you get a good night’s sleep that you’ve been missing for weeks.
Important notes to remember
It is important that you keep an open mind during the course of your treatment. Tinnitus acupuncture treatment for an “excess” is easier to perform compared to a treatment of a “deficiency.” Prolonged tinnitus responds better to acupuncture when the treatment is done as a supplement with other medical managements prescribed by your doctor. This means that doing acupuncture for tinnitus alone will not cure your condition. You must remember to comply with your medications, relaxation rituals, and intake of prescribed herbal treatments and not rely on acupuncture alone. Consult your physician especially if you are pregnant, lactating, or have medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes before taking the procedure, as well as the recommended herbal treatments.
A single tinnitus acupuncture procedure is not enough to cure your tinnitus. Your acupuncturist will determine the recommended number of visits based on his assessment and your response to treatment. With repeated visits to the clinic for acupuncture, tinnitus relief is gradually felt and you’ll be back to your optimal health.
