Massage and Tinnitus: Basics and Methods of Relief

For those who suffer from it, the condition of tinnitus is no fun whatsoever. Tinnitus, or the perception of sound despite no sound actually being present, is a major issue for some people, and can affect up to one in 10 Americans -- but did you know that among several quality treatments for this condition, massage therapy has shown some significant benefits?

At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're proud to offer several forms of massage that may be applied to those with tinnitus, including Swedish massage that's often used here. What is tinnitus, why might you have it, and what are some of the ways massage therapy may benefit tinnitus patients? Here's a primer.

Tinnitus Basics

As we noted above, tinnitus refers to the perception of sound -- which isn't present in any way. Tinnitus can be perceived as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing, and certain other types of noises. This often leads to difficulty sleeping and concentrating for those experiencing it (or at least it did us!), and is caused by a variety of factors:

• Noise trauma: This is one of the leading causes, as things like work-related accidents or concerts attended without ear protection can cause tinnitus.
• Vascular health: How well your blood flows through your body affects circulation and how well your brain gets blood -- so if you have problems with either, this can affect tinnitus.
• Medicines: There are a number of prescription and over the counter medications that can cause tinnitus as side effects, from antibiotics to blood pressure drugs.
• Injury: Injuries from anything from car accidents to sports injuries can also lead to tinnitus, especially head trauma.

These aren't the only causes, but they're some of the most well-known.

Massage and Tinnitus Relief

There are multiple ways massage can help reduce tinnitus symptoms, or even eliminate them altogether. For starters, stress is a major exacerbator of tinnitus -- and as many are well aware, massage reduces stress. Furthermore, massage may aid with sleep, which can be a real challenge for those suffering from tinnitus -- and both of these benefits lead to greater overall wellness.

In addition, though not as well studied as various other forms of treatment, massage therapy has been found to have a significant benefit on the immune system. Additionally, as those with tinnitus have been found to have some depression and anxiety, massage therapy may also provide a degree of relief from those conditions as well.

While there are plenty of reasons why someone might want to try massage for tinnitus, it's important to note that not every form of massage is going to be beneficial or even desired by tinnitus patients. In part two of our series, we'll go over the types of massage that are best here, and why.

For more on tinnitus treatment with massage therapy, or to learn about any of our massage therapy or float therapy services, speak to the staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today.