Acupressure stimulates nerves to treat tinnitus

Tinnitus occurs when the inner ear nerve is damaged, producing a ringing sound and often accompanied by hearing loss. Recognizing the causes and implementing simple tips for tinnitus can be very helpful for sufferers.

Many medical conditions can cause tinnitus - Illustration.

Many diseases can cause tinnitus.

According to Traditional Medicine Practitioner Hoang Duy Tan, former vice president of the Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Association, tinnitus is characterized by a buzzing or humming sound in the ears, which worsens towards evening. The sound can vary in intensity, from soft to high-pitched, and is always very unpleasant, but only those suffering from tinnitus can hear it.

According to modern medicine, tinnitus occurs when the inner ear nerve endings are damaged, failing to receive signals and sounds correctly, thus creating a ringing sound and often accompanied by hearing loss.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, ear diseases are closely related to the kidneys (the kidneys open into the ears), so kidney function should be considered during treatment. Research identifies seven main causes of tinnitus:

- Ear diseases: These are mainly caused by ear conditions, such as extra-ear diseases including external eardrum inflammation, excessive earwax causing obstruction, foreign bodies outside the ear, acute and chronic otitis media, perforated eardrum, otosclerosis, vertigo caused by ear disease, auditory nerve tinnitus… all of which can lead to tinnitus.

- Vascular diseases: Vascular diseases can also cause tinnitus, for example, cervical venous spheroid tumors, auricular varicose veins, vascular malformations, hemangiomas, etc. Venous tinnitus mostly presents with static noise, while arterial tinnitus resembles a heartbeat.

- Neurological disorders: Several other diseases caused by autonomic nervous system disorders can also lead to tinnitus. Examples include autonomic nervous system disorders, cerebral ischemia, pre-stroke symptoms, hypertension, hypotension, anemia, diabetes, and malnutrition.

- Side effects of medication: Using many medications that cause side effects in the ears, such as Gentamicin and Streptomycin, can also lead to tinnitus and hearing loss; moreover, tinnitus appears earlier than hearing loss.

- Stress: Fatigue, lack of sleep, and excessive stress can also lead to tinnitus.

- Environmental factors: Prolonged exposure to explosions, loud vibrations, and noise can all lead to hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms.

People working in noisy environments need to take measures to reduce noise, such as reducing noise from the source or wearing noise-canceling devices. In addition, they should avoid using headphones for extended periods in very loud environments.

- Food and drinks: Coffee and alcohol often worsen tinnitus; smoking can lower blood oxygen levels, and the microscopic cells in the ear are highly sensitive to oxygen, so oxygen deprivation can harm them.

Acupuncture points that can be used to help treat tinnitus.

Stimulating acupoints to treat diseases.

According to traditional medicine practitioner Hoang Duy Tan, the best method to treat tinnitus is to stimulate four acupuncture points: the Kidney point, the Qiangu point, the Yanggu point, and the Guanchong point.

The first three acupoints on the little finger are related to the Small Intestine Meridian, while the Guan Chong acupoint is related to the Triple Heater Meridian. Both the Triple Heater Meridian and the Small Intestine Meridian run to the inner ear, and the Triple Heater Meridian is related to the Pericardium Meridian. Therefore, the four acupoints mentioned above are very effective in treating tinnitus.

Press once, pause once, then press again, sometimes firmly, sometimes gently. Doing this will reduce tinnitus, and in some cases, it has even cured the condition.

Alternatively, you can use the Zhi Yin acupoint, pressing it once, resting for a moment, then pressing again, alternating between strong and gentle pressure. Doing this can reduce tinnitus, and in some cases, it can even cure the condition.

On the foot, the acupoints Yinbai, Dadun, Zuqiaoyin, and Yongquan are particularly effective, with the second Dadun acupoint being the most beneficial. If the tinnitus is simply caused by a disorder, stimulating these acupoints 3-4 times will cure it.

Herbal remedies for tinnitus

- Tinnitus caused by noise: Boil 10g of Centella asiatica, 10g of mulberry leaves, 12g of green silk vine, and 16g of Smilax glabra in water and drink the decoction. If blood pressure is high, add 10g of bamboo leaves; if blood pressure is low, add 6g of mugwort; for insomnia, add 8g of Vinca leaves.

- Tinnitus due to fatigue and stress : 16g of roasted black beans; 12g each of Polygonum multiflorum, Cuscuta chinensis, Ipomoea nil, and Dioscorea opposita. If you sleep little and have a slow heart rate, add 12g of Passiflora incarnata and 6g of Artemisia vulgaris. If you sleep little and have a fast heart rate, add 12g of Chrysanthemum indicum and 10g of Cynodon dactylon.

- Tinnitus caused by excess heat: 12g black beans, 6g chrysanthemum flowers, 10g black sesame seeds, 6g bamboo leaves, 8g centella asiatica, 10g Artemisia capillaris. If blood pressure is high, add 50g fresh celery; if blood pressure is low, add 100g fresh sweet potato leaves and 6g mugwort.

Simple tips for instant tinnitus relief.

- Place both palms over your ears and gently rub the earlobes in a circular motion for 1 minute until you feel warmth in your ears. Then, use your middle finger to cover your ear canal and quickly pull your hand away, repeating this about 50 times.

- Another method is to tap your ears by placing your palms over both ears, fingers pointing backward and slightly curved, pressing in a rhythmic pattern of one heavy and one light tap, repeating this 30 times. Then, use your index and middle fingers to tap behind your ears about 30 times.

- If tinnitus persists, treat it by roasting some coarse salt, putting it in a small bag, and applying it around the ear while it's still warm. The gentle heat of the salt will help reduce tinnitus immediately.

These are just a few tips for temporary tinnitus relief. If you suffer from chronic tinnitus, you should consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bam-huyet-kich-thich-day-than-kinh-tri-chung-u-tai-2024110114185532.htm