Tinnitus Research
Alternative & Complementary Therapies

Acupuncture has traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat most illnesses. There is little doubt that acupuncture is an excellent therapy for people suffering with this condition; in 1979 the World Health organisation listed 40 major diseases that could find relief by acupuncture treatment and tinnitus was included in that number. (1)

This is not surprising since acupuncture works through the nervous system and energy channels in the body and has also been shown to cause the brain to release endorphines and encephalins (natural pain killers), boost the immune system and calm the nervous system. There are also controlled research studies which have concluded that acupuncture is a "valuable therapeutic alternative in tinnitus"(3).

• (1) Dr S Fulder- The Handbook of Complementary Medicine (Coronet books)
• (2)Mann F The Treatment of disease by acupuncture. Part 1 & 2 (Heinnemann Medical Books)
• (3)Acupuncture for tinnitus management. Nilsson S; Axelsson A; Li De G Department of Audiology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.Scand Audiol (SWEDEN) 1992, 21 (4) p245-51 [Acupuncture is a valuable therapeutic alternative in tinnitus] Akupunktur vardefullt behandlingsalternativ vid tinnitus. Lindholm S; Berg S; Larsson B; Hybbinette JC Avdelningslakare, lanssjukhuset i Kalmar. Lakartidningen (SWEDEN) Mar 6 1991, 88 (10) p847-9

All physical diseases including cancer, heart disease and even skin complaints have been helped with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Several reports have concluded that psychological factors should be taken into account in the treatment and management of tinnitus(1).The power of suggestion and mental imagery is a tool all too often overlooked but it can be of help. We found one study conducted in England which concluded that over one third of tinniutus sufferers who were given hypnotherapy found it helpful. The report concluded that hypnotherapy "seemed to help them tolerate their tinnitus better , although loudness and quality were unaltered." (2).

• (1) Is tinnitus a psychological disorder? Gerber KE; Nehemkis AM; Charter RA; Jones HC Int J Psychiatry Med (UNITED STATES) 86 1985, 15 (1) p81-7 Tinnitus--incidence and handicap. Lindberg P; Lyttkens L; Melin L; Scott B Scand Audiol (SWEDEN) 1984, 13 (4) p287-91
• (2) A controlled trial of hypnotherapy in tinnitus. Marks NJ; Karl H; Onisiphorou C Clin Otolaryngol (ENGLAND) Feb 1985, 10 (1) p43-6