Many moons ago, I lived alone in a rental apartment in downtown Vancouver. A few times a week, I would be taking the elevator with one of my neighbors. I’d say “Hello” and he’d never answer.
It. Truly. Bugged. Me!
A few months into this routine, I walked into the elevator yet again, and said my usual hello. And, of course, no answer.
My LV Yang rose and I pushed the STOP button, looked at my neighbour and said: “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you just smile or say hello to me?”
He backed up into a corner and looked at me as if I was a two headed monster! He probably thought: “Let me out of here, this crazy lady might hurt me!”
I released the Stop button and we silently went down. He never talked to me and I stopped saying Hello from that day on.
That night, I experienced my very first high pitched tinnitus. It lasted about 5 minutes or so and finally went away. Granted, it was a stressful time in my life. I had just ended a three year relationship. I was unhappy at my job, where the owner of the fitness club I managed made my daily life miserable.
Today, when I get this annoying sound in one of my ear, I know my LV Yang is rising and I need a daily dose of LV 2 (And probably LV 3, Yin Tang and Ear Shen Men!) It gives me clues I am stressed and need to slow down.
Did you know 1 in 22 people worldwide suffers from some kind of tinnitus?
78% of these are over 40 years old, and 72% experience very poor sleep due to the constant ringing in their ears.
In TCM, the causes of Tinnitus are declining of KD Essence, emotional stress, trauma injury and pathogens invasions.
Many western disorders can result in ear ringing, including wax build-up, Acute Otitis, perforated ear drum, Meniere’s disease, tumors, Drugs use (Cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, quinine…) Additionally, high BP, anemia, altitude sickness, and aneurysm.
This is a common disorder and for many the sound never ends. Depending on the pattern, how long the patient has been experiencing Tinnitus, and the cause of it, TCM can be a good solution.
Here are the TCM treatment for tinnitus depending on the diagnosis pattern.
I was asked by a class of TCM Students in England to look at a case (with Tinnitus as the Chief Complaint) and divide a diagnosis, pattern differentiations, and form a treatment plan (acupuncture, herbs, and diet). Enjoy and let me know what you think!
I hope your ears are sound free and you keep rocking it using TCM,
PS: Have you seen my Chinese Medicine Treatments Made Easy book yet? It covers over 160 syndromes treatments using acupuncture points, herbal formulas, ear points, diet and more!
A big thank you to my source of Reference: Jane Lyttleton, and her great book, Clinical handbook of internal medicine.
Thanks so much you star! I am as keen as you at spreading the word and educating people about TCM.
I am rather sensitive at times and yesterday one of my patients presented with his usual problems. While I was taking notes I heard a loud buzzing in my ear. I looked at him and asked if he had ringing in his ears. He answered yes! My buzzing went away and so did his after his treatment. I often finish a patient only to realize that I have their symptoms (which go away as soon as I pick that up).
I hope that you have a great weekend Clara. 😉
That’s soooo cool Natasha! Wow!
You are sensitive and super connected. You amaze me! You are a true TCM rock star 🙂
I’m so glad we’ve connected online, through our passion for TCM.
You rock!
This is great writeup Clara!! Recently I treated a classical case of Tinnitus on the basis of TCM imbalances and the lady recovered almost completely!!
She now doesn’t feel that ringing sound as much!!
That’s great to hear! Pun intended 🙂
You’re rocking it with TCM my friend! I love it!