This 2019 tinnitus acupuncture research study concluded that acupuncture provided substantial relief for ringing in the ears. Researchers at Luoding City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangdong, China, found that acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan relieved symptoms and improved quality of life for tinnitus sufferers.
The study compared two groups: Participants in the acupuncture group received acupuncture and herbs, while those in the control group underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Acupuncture plus herbs had a 77.5% effective rate compared with 50% in the hyperbaric oxygen control group. Outcome measures included the severity and duration of symptoms and the impact of tinnitus on sleep, attention, and mood.
Tinnitus Acupuncture Research Study
Eighty patients with tinnitus participated in the study. Researchers screened all of them to have the same TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis of liver and kidney yin deficiency. Tinnitus has many different root causes, and acupuncture, to be effective, must address the correct imbalance. Researchers randomly assigned the participants to receive either acupuncture and herbs or hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
The acupuncture group consisted of 23 male and 17 female patients, ages 45–67 years, with a 1–12 disease duration. The control group had 24 male and 16 female patients, ages 46–70, with a disease duration of 2–13 years. There were no significant differences in baseline symptoms between the two groups at the start of the investigation. And as mentioned above, all participants had tinnitus consistent with the Chinese diagnosis of liver and kidney yin deficiency.
Common Tinnitus Symptoms
None of the participants in the tinnitus acupuncture research study had noticeable pathological changes to the tympanic membrane or external auditory canal, nor did they have any significant hearing loss.
The TCM diagnostic criteria for tinnitus due to liver and kidney yin deficiency typically include some or all of the following symptoms: tinnitus which manifests day and night but is worse during the night, heat in the palms of the hands, headaches, dizziness, dream-disturbed sleep, pain or weakness in the knees and low back, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, frequent night urination, red tongue body with a thin coating, and a fine, wiry pulse.
Treatment
Patients assigned to the control group received hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Sessions were conducted daily and lasted 80 minutes with two five-minute breaks. Each course consisted of 10 treatments, for a total of 30 treatments.
Patients in the acupuncture group took the Chinese herbal formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan twice a day, including Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Fu Ling, Mu Dan Pi, Ze Xie. They received acupuncture Acupuncture was given at the following points: SI19, GB2, TW21, SI4, GB20, LV3, LI4, ST36, and BL23.
Acupuncturists used 28 gauge needles applying a reducing-reinforcing technique. Patients received daily treatments with one course comprising ten sessions, for a total of 30 treatments.
Results
Investigators in the tinnitus acupuncture research study calculated the primary outcome measures as follows: tinnitus severity, tinnitus duration, impact on sleep, impact on attention, and impact on mood. They classified each symptom as absent, mild, moderate, or severe.
Both groups experienced significant improvements across all subcategories. However, gains were significantly more significant in the acupuncture group, where there were three recovered, ten markedly effective, 18 effective, and nine ineffective cases, for a total effective rate of 77.5%. There were four markedly effective, 16 effective, and 20 ineffective cases in the control group, giving a total effective rate of just 50%.
Conclusions
The results of this tinnitus acupuncture research study indicate that acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan may provide an effective treatment for tinnitus due to liver and kidney yin deficiency. This combined treatment offers superior results compared to hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Raleigh Acupuncture Tinnitus Treatment
We have been successfully treating tinnitus for over 15 years. While this study focused on treating a particular pattern (liver and kidney qi deficiency) for research simplicity, we effectively treat all pattern imbalances that cause tinnitus. Each pattern diagnosis requires slightly different acupuncture and herbal treatment protocols.
When you come in for your first treatment, we will conduct an intake to determine the pattern imbalance responsible for your particular tinnitus presentation. You will then receive acupuncture and herbs to meet your needs. Treatments are safe – all needles are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin.
Next Steps
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References
Gan Mei (2019) “Clinical Observation on Treatment of Tinnitus with Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency by Acupuncture Combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Pill,” Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine Vol.35 (2) p. 160.
For more questions about this tinnitus acupuncture research study, feel free to contact us.
What our Clients are Saying
I’ve had tinnitus for as long as I can remember. It came and went, sounding like the ocean. I would hear it mostly at night, which made it difficult to fall asleep. I was getting my back treated at Raleigh Acupuncture when I happened to mention the tinnitus. The doctor offered to treat that at the same time, and to my surprise, the tinnitus went away. What a bonus to my back treatment (which by the way also got better!). I would have taken care of this years ago if I knew acupuncture could cure tinnitus.
I developed ringing in my ears last year out of the blue. My doctor put me on medications, but it didn’t help. Research on the web led me to Raleigh Acupuncture. They treated me a dozen times and my ringing was gone. It has not come back. I don’t know what they did, but it worked. I’m very grateful. Thank you.
