Tinnitus; Acupuncture To Be The New Miracle Cure?

In a quest to find a natural remedy for tinnitus, an increasing number of sufferers are turning to acupuncture to manage their symptoms. But is acupuncture effective in treating tinnitus?

Acupuncture is an alternative Oriental treatment which has been used to treat a variety of health conditions and diseases for over 2,500 years.

Acupuncture works by inserting very fine needles into the skin to target energy points in the body, known as ‘Qi’ points. The science behind acupuncture is that health is governed by a balance of ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ within the body- the ‘Qi’, or energy, flowing through the body is ‘yang’ and its counterpart is blood, or ‘yin’. When these two forces are out of alignment with each other, disease is the result.

Acupuncture regulates the flow of ‘Qi’ and blood, creating harmony within the body and theoretically curing disease. It is also believed that certain ‘Qi’ points correspond with different organs within the body.

In acupuncture, the kidneys are believed to be connected to the ears, and any hearing problems can thus be caused by weakness in the kidneys. The heart and lungs are also thought to affect tinnitus; as the heart and mind are thought to be connected, weak blood flow to the heart will also have an affect on the head and ears.

Treatment is likely to vary with each individual case and how long they have been suffering. Herbal medicines may be prescribed alongside acupuncture treatments. Some success has been reported using acupuncture, although results have been rather mixed. Many sufferers have reported a lessening of their symptoms even if the tinnitus has not been completely cured. I strongly feel that the strength of your belief in alternative treatments such as acupuncture can have an effect on whether it will work for you.

It may be worth trying acupuncture, although you should always make sure you choose an approved practitioner. It is always advisable to consult your doctor or consultant in the first instance.