Tinnitus
On Phil’s first visit to our office, we did an exam and consultation and got a complete set of Chiropractic x-rays. Dr. Chris found multiple misalignments in Phil’s neck and lower spine which were putting pressure on many nerves in his neck and back. These misalignments were directly contributing to his headaches and tinnitus, as well as the back pain he was having. Phil was put on a care plan tailored to his needs which included chiropractic adjustments, postural rehabilitation, and nerve gun stimulation. After only one short month, Phil told us his headaches and tinnitus were completely gone! After six weeks of treatment, new x-rays of Phil showed considerable improvement!
Phil has been a great patient of ours and continues to improve. He says today he is “pretty much pain free” and is so happy his life is back to normal. He described how the debilitating headaches and tinnitus which once stopped him from playing softball are gone, and how he recently just completed an entire baseball tournament!
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus, sometimes referred to as ringing in the ears, is the perception of sound that does not have an external source. A common issue, it affects over 50 million people a year. Although it’s commonly described as ringing, some people hear other types of phantom sounds. This can happen in one or both ears, can be constant or come and go, and vary in loudness. Tinnitus does not cause hearing loss, but sometimes accompanies hearing loss. Causes of tinnitus can include: ear damage from loud sounds, long term exposure to noise, problems with nerves or other parts of the ear that control your hearing, nerve pathway irritation, infections, head or neck injuries, or whiplash.
What are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?
Symptoms include ringing, buzzing, clicking, humming, whistling, roaring, or sizzling sounds in the ear. Usually only the person who has tinnitus can hear these sounds. These noises can be loud or soft, high or low pitch, multi-tonal, and vary in intensity. Some people also describe the noises as escaping air, running water, listening to the inside of a seashell, or even musical notes.
What Kind of Problems Arise from Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can affect your overall quality of life. It can interfere with sleeping and concentrating, working and relaxing. Many people feel depressed or anxious, and it can cause daily stress. Tinnitus can cause fatigue, memory problems, irritability, headaches, and problems with work and family life. Long term effects of tinnitus can include cognitive difficulties as well as memory loss.
How Does Chiropractic Help?
What’s important to remember is tinnitus isn’t a disease, but rather the result of another underlying condition. Some evidence suggests a misaligned neck or spine could be one of these conditions. These misalignments can result in nerve pressure and irritation leading to disruptive nerve signals to the auditory system. Chiropractic care realigns the spine and relieves any pressure on the nerves, and increases blood flow, improves circulation and nerve function, thus reducing the symptoms of tinnitus.
