New tinnitus research published last month demonstrates that electro-stimulation to the head helps reduce tinnitus. We have been providing a similar tinnitus treatment with acupuncture for years with great success. Let’s take a look at the details.
To learn more about our tinnitus treatment watch this video:
Tinnitus Research: Acupuncture Reduces Tinnitus
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve tinnitus severity, according to a study published online July 16 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Robert L. Folmer, Ph.D., from the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oregon, and colleagues conducted a randomized, participant and clinician or observer-blinded trial to determine whether rTMS can reduce the perception or severity of tinnitus. Seventy individuals who experienced chronic tinnitus were randomized to receive active or placebo rTMS; 64 individuals were included in data analyses. On 10 consecutive workdays, participants received 2,000 pulses per session of active or placebo rTMS at a rate of 1-Hz rTMS daily. The main study outcome was the Tinnitus Functional Index, which was compared at baseline and post-treatment.
The researchers found that 56 percent of the active rTMS group and 22 percent of the placebo group were responders to rTMS treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of responders to treatment in each group (P < 0.005). "Improvements in tinnitus severity experienced by responders were sustained during the 26-week follow-up period," the authors write.
Tinnitus Research: What Is rTMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive method used to stimulate small regions of the brain. During a TMS procedure, a magnetic field generator, or “coil” is placed near the head of the person receiving the treatment.[1]:3 The coil produces small electric currents in the region of the brain just under the coil via electromagnetic induction. The coil is connected to a pulse generator, or stimulator, that delivers electric current to the coil.
Tinnitus Research: How Is Acupuncture Similar To rTMS?
When we treat tinnitus, we insert sterile, hair-thin needles into acupuncture points around the ear. We then use electro-stimulation on the needles, which safely sends the electric stimulation to the ear and brain. Electro-acupuncture has been safely used in China and the United States for 70 years. There are no negative side effects to this gentle treatment. And we see substantial benefit from our treatments.
This new tinnitus research once again shows how acupuncture is on the cutting edge of medical innovation even through it’s been around for thousands of years!
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To learn more about our tinnitus treatment click RALEIGH ACUPUNCTURE TINNITUS TREATMENT.
For a list of all the conditions we treat click ALL CONDITIONS WE TREAT.
Click on the provider names to watch a short video about our staff, Jinmei Xu (Jade) and Mark Molinoff.
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