Tinnitus is a common symptom of otolaryngological diseases, in which patients perceive sounds in their ears or head without any external source of sound. The ringing sensation tends to be louder in quiet environments. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that tinnitus is often related to the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. Excess patterns are usually caused by liver and gallbladder fire or phlegm blocking the orifices, while deficiency patterns are caused by kidney yin deficiency or heart-kidney disharmony. Treatment should focus on dispelling wind, promoting circulation, extinguishing wind, and stopping spasms. Now let's take a look at the best acupressure points for tinnitus massage.
Common Acupressure Points for Tinnitus Massage
1. Acupoints: Ermen (Tinghui), Fengchi, Yifeng, Qiaogong, Ganshu, Shenshu, Waiguan.
2. Location:
Ermen: Located on the anterior part of the side of the head, slightly above the earlobe.
Tinghui: Located on the face, in front of the tragus, at the posterior edge of the condylar process of the mandible, with a depression when the mouth is open.
Fengchi: Located on the back of the neck, below the occipital bone, in the depression between the two large tendons, at the level of the earlobe.
Yifeng: Sit in an upright or side-lying position, fold the earlobe slightly inward, and locate the depression in front of the tragus.
Waiguan: For this acupoint, the patient should be in an upright or supine position with the palm facing down. Waiguan is located on the back side of the forearm, three horizontal fingers' width above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Qiaogong: Located on both sides of the neck, forming a straight line along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Ganshu: Lower the head and find a bony protrusion in the middle of the back of the neck, which is the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Count nine such protrusions downward, which is the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra. Move two horizontal fingers to each side.
Shenshu: In the prone position, find the highest point of the iliac crest, which is the fourth lumbar vertebra. Move two horizontal fingers upward and to both sides.
Tinnitus Massage Techniques
1. The patient lies on the bed, and the massager sits on the right side. Start by using the side of the thumb to slowly move from the right temple to the right Touwei acupoint, then move along the anterior hairline to the left Touwei acupoint and left temple, and then slowly move along the upper edge of the orbit, pushing towards the right temple. Repeat this process three times.
2. Use the side of the thumb to push along the sides of the nose from the Yintang acupoint down to the cheekbone, back and forth 2-3 times.
3. Massage the Ermen and Tinghui acupoints.
4. Push the Qiaogong acupoint on the affected side 30 times.
5. Massage the Waiguan acupoints on both sides 20 times each.
6. Pinch the Hegu acupoints on both sides 20 times each.
7. The patient lies prone, and the massager massages the Fengchi and Yifeng acupoints for 1 minute each.
8. Then massage both sides of the cervical vertebrae, slowly and back and forth, 3-5 times.
9. Use the thumb and index finger to pinch the Fengchi acupoints 30 times.
10. Use the palm to massage the Ganshu acupoints on the back, focusing on the Ganshu and Shenshu acupoints for about 3 minutes.
11. Then use the fingertip of the thumb to massage the Ganshu, Shenshu, and Mingmen acupoints for 1-2 minutes each.
12. Finally, use the whole palm to rub the lumbar and sacral area, applying moderate warmth.
Treatment course: For patients with mild tinnitus, a single treatment is sufficient. For more severe or persistent cases, treatment should be given once daily or every other day until the symptoms disappear.
Special Acupressure Points for Tinnitus Massage
Yifeng Acupoint
Location: Behind the earlobe, in the depression between the mastoid process and the angle of the mandible. When locating the acupoint, tilt the head to one side, press down on the earlobe, and the depression covered by it is the acupoint.
Effect: Yifeng is the meeting point of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian and the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian. The Sanjiao meridian wraps around the ear, and the Gallbladder meridian runs through the head and the ear. This acupoint is the convergence point of the two meridians, and it has the functions of improving hearing, promoting blood circulation, and unblocking meridians. Massaging this acupoint can increase blood circulation in the ear, thus maintaining hearing. Excessive internal heat can easily induce tinnitus, and Yifeng has the effect of dispersing internal heat. Therefore, massaging Yifeng can alleviate tinnitus symptoms.
Massage technique: 1. Place the thumb on the Yifeng acupoint and perform 5-10 minutes of acupressure massage. Tinnitus patients can massage the acupoint every two hours. Extend the index finger and press the Yifeng acupoint on both sides with appropriate force for 0.5-2 minutes.
Yangxi Acupoint
Location: Located on the back of the hand, on the radial side of the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of the short extensor muscle of the thumb and the long extensor muscle of the thumb.
Effect: Yangxi is an important branch point of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine meridian. "Yang" refers to the nature of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine meridian or the back of the hand. "Xi" refers to the small meeting place of flesh or the place where the mountain valley flows. Yangxi refers to this acupoint belonging to the yang property, located in the depression between the two tendons. The meridians and qi and blood flow through this point like a stream. It has the effect of promoting qi and blood circulation, clearing meridians, and resolving stasis. It can be used for the treatment of tinnitus, headache, hearing loss, toothache, and tonsillitis.
Massage technique: 1. Use the fingers or the elbow tip to apply pressure to the affected area or acupoint, which can provide strong stimulation and has the effects of promoting meridian circulation, adjusting visceral functions, and relieving spasms and pain. 2. Place the palm, fingers, or elbow in close contact with the body surface, press on the treatment area or acupoint, gradually increase the pressure, and leave it in place. This can promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and open blockages. 3. Use the palm, fingers, or fingertips to rotate and rub the acupoints, which can promote meridian circulation, resolve stasis, and reduce swelling and pain.
Self-Massage Techniques for Tinnitus
Patients can use their thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers to rub the auricle and the area behind the ears about ten times, and then massage the Ermen, Tinghui, Tinggong, and Yifeng acupoints for 15-20 minutes each. Pinch the auricle with the index finger, middle finger, and thumb for traction about ten times, and then insert the middle finger into the ear and perform rapid vibration. At the same time, the massager can hold their nose and blow outwards repeatedly for 2-3 times. Pinch and lift the auricle 20-30 times in the morning and evening.
Precautions for Tinnitus Massage
1. Massage has a significant therapeutic effect on this condition, especially in the early stages. Therefore, early treatment is recommended when tinnitus is detected.
2. Before massaging, choose a comfortable position that allows the patient to relax and can be maintained for a long time. This is also conducive to the massager's manipulation.
3. The acupoints and areas along the meridians that are more sensitive should be stimulated more strongly, while the areas outside the meridians and acupoints should be stimulated relatively gently.
4. For young and strong patients with well-developed muscles, the strength of the massage should be appropriately increased. For elderly or children with soft muscles, the strength should be reduced to avoid unnecessary injury.
5. Patients with skin lesions in the ear should avoid ear massage and try other methods instead.
Daily Care for Tinnitus
1. Strengthen physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, maintain a relaxed state of mind, and avoid depression and anger.
2. Actively treat the underlying diseases that can cause tinnitus and hearing loss.
3. Pay attention to diet regulation, reduce greasy and sweet food to prevent phlegm stagnation, which can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. Avoid spicy foods to prevent kidney yin deficiency. Eat light and easily digestible foods, which can be helpful for those with weak spleen and stomach.
4. Pay attention to rest, especially avoid excessive fatigue.
