What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a ringing, whistling, clicking, or roaring in the ears. It causes one to feel as if the head is filled with sounds that no one else can hear. It affects more than 50 million people in the United States and disrupts sleeping patterns and concentration. Being older and male predisposes an individual to developing tinnitus. Being exposed to loud noise, smoking, and alcohol use are other risk factors.
There is no known cause but typically comes from an underlying condition. It could be from hearing loss, an ear injury, medications, or a circulatory problem. Common symptoms of tinnitus include noises in your head, hearing loss, head injuries, neck trauma, or ear infections.
Tinnitus is diagnosed through physical examination, history, hearing test, diagnostic imaging, and bloodwork. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but could include removal of earwax, treating a blood vessel condition, hearing aids, or updating medications.
Chiropractic adjustments reducing the structural shifts that obstruct nerves associated with structural shifts may help those suffering with tinnitus.
Chiropractic focuses on the root cause of musculoskeletal and nervous system conditions. By reducing the structural shifts in the spine and neck, chiropractors aim to relieve pressure on the nerves that affect the inner ear, which can in turn help to reduce symptoms of tinnitus. In addition, chiropractic care can help reduce stress levels, which can also contribute to tinnitus.
After a chiropractic treatment for tinnitus, most people report feeling more relaxed and less stressed. Some patients also report that their tinnitus symptoms have decreased, although this may vary from person to person. To maintain the benefits of chiropractic care, it is important to continue with a healthy lifestyle and follow the recommended exercises and adjustment schedule from your chiropractor.
Chiropractic care may help alleviate symptoms of tinnitus by reducing obstruction of the nerves that control the inner ear and reducing stress levels. While it may not cure tinnitus, chiropractic can provide relief and improve quality of life for those who suffer from this condition.
Chiropractic Care Helps with Tinnitus
The 55-year-old male reported on in the study developed tinnitus (also known as ringing in the ears) following a head trauma from a fall. He also had neck pain. Medical doctors could not provide any relief.
The chiropractor examined him and found structural shifts in his neck and mid back. Decreased range of motion in his neck was noted along with trigger points in the neck and upper back muscles. X-rays confirmed these findings. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic care, he experienced immediate resolution of tinnitus. He also experienced a decrease in neck pain and his x-ray findings and range of motion improved.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
Reference
Resolution of Tinnitus Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Study & Review of the Literature. Scott Siegel DC & Caitlin Siegel DC. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ Volume, 2023.