Chronic Cervicogenic Tinnitus Rapidly Resolved by Intermittent Use of Cervical Collar

[WaqasVic]

@just1morething As my most discussed subject here is loss of normal lordosis - a twisted or invented cervical spine from muscle spasms of forward head bending with loss of blood flow. That is what caused my somatic tinnitus. How is the neck brace working and how long do you use it? Are you wearing it to bed?

I do have a lower lordosis problem, may be there is an exercise that can fix it?

 

[reeax]

Neck issues can FOR SURE be a cause of tinnitus (probably only if you already have some mild hearing loss). In my case, neck muscles are so tense that they are altering the blood flow because of the compression. If this is the cause, you should hear clear changes in pitch/volume when you move your neck & jaw around.

The cure is to do the most stretching possible (when you stretch it could temporary get worse because of the myotatic reflex), physiotherapy, massages, etc. With six months of this, I went from 10 to 1 and it will (hope) probably go away completely.

So yes, I think that a cevicogenic tinnitus can be resolved with a cervical collar (I often put a soft one when typing on PC), because it can help muscles to relax.

 

[jeannie]

Has anyone with neck issues or tmj used a hand massager on neck and jaw?I'm going to try this for a few weeks and see if it helps my tinnitus.seems like everything I try might work for a day then it's roaring back..

 

[WaqasVic]

Has anyone with neck issues or tmj used a hand massager on neck and jaw?I'm going to try this for a few weeks and see if it helps my tinnitus.seems like everything I try might work for a day then it's roaring back..

please let us know if you find any relief from it

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@jeannie From readings, neck tinnitus can consist of loss of normal lordosis ( c spine with a twist) and muscular tension in the upper part of the trapezius muscle. The loss of normal lordosis can be caused by an accident or from tension from the trapezius muscle. Forward head bending is often a reason. From this blood flow can be restricted and soreness to other neck muscles, veins, nerves as well as headaches.

From readings, the safest place to start using a hand massager is at the area of the trapezius muscle on the shoulders to the edge of the neck. If some relief from doing this happens, then after a few sessions, some then move to the sides of the neck.

I often get some relief for a hour or two from using the massager on my shoulders to the bottom of the neck. An exercise: Moving neck to each side 20 times a day at a 40 to 45 degree angle may help correct any c spine problems and then relieve tension from other muscles, veins and nerves. Since I have severe problems it may take 0ne to two years before any lasting results from either of these two methods. I hope for you that you see fast relief.

 

[jeannie]

Thank you Greg.and yes I will update if any change.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething Have you updated yourself since prior studies including the UT Texas study on the vagus nerve - the causes and it's relationship to tinnitus and hearing?

My physical therapist has agreed to perform vagus stimulation in what he calls a new method. I must also perform electrical stimulation at home with some adjustments to lifestyle.

He said that he is having an outstanding success rate with not only those with somatic tinnitus, but with those with tinnitus hearing loss that have fear and flight.

 

[Bill Bauer]

My physical therapist has agreed to perform vagus stimulation in what he calls a new method.

Please let us know what happens when your doctor tries this new method.

 

[just1morething]

@Greg Sacramento, I thought MicroTransponder was a failure last I heard. I hope you have some luck with your physical therapist and his version of vagus stimulation. I seem to have some one day wonders, only to be reset upon awakening with loud noise like I have now. I still think it could be cervical related in some cases, but no proof or track record in my case. I've had a lot of cervical problems in the past.

 

[just1morething]

Have you updated yourself since prior studies including the UT Texas study on the vagus nerve - the causes and it's relationship to tinnitus and hearing?

http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2017/1...mulation-Shows-Progress-Again_story-wide.html

 

[jeannie]

I quit using massager on my neck and shoulders.got too sore .(I have fibromyalgia,and neck issues too)

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@jeannie

@jeannie From readings, neck tinnitus can consist of loss of normal lordosis ( c spine with a twist) and muscular tension in the upper part of the trapezius muscle. The loss of normal lordosis can be caused by an accident or from tension from the trapezius muscle. Forward head bending is often a reason. From this blood flow can be restricted and soreness to other neck muscles, veins, nerves as well as headaches.

From readings, the safest place to start using a hand massager is at the area of the trapezius muscle on the shoulders to the edge of the neck. If some relief from doing this happens, then after a few sessions, some then move to the sides of the neck.

I often get some relief for a hour or two from using the massager on my shoulders to the bottom of the neck. An exercise: Moving neck to each side 20 times a day at a 40 to 45 degree angle may help correct any c spine problems and then relieve tension from other muscles, veins and nerves. Since I have severe problems it may take 0ne to two years before any lasting results from either of these two methods. I hope for you that you see fast relief.

Unless you as well as any physical therapist knows exactly what your neck problems are, then I would only use a massager on your shoulders to the edge of the neck. Until radiological notes are made, it best just to do light finger touching in a down direction. From down the back side of head and also from behind ears into the shoulders. This will cover the major four areas that is a cause of neck tinnitus. The c -spine, the trapezius muscles, SCMs and vagus nerve.

 

[jeff W]

I was sleeping funny for a few days, making my neck crooked and holding it there and going to sleep. I woke up and the room was spinning were were ringing I had nystagmus and nausea. I have never been the same the Tinnitus never went away. They say I got a virus that inflamed my inner ear but I think it was my posture when sleeping... Still trying to make the T go away..

Ischemic theory by Carol foster. Do read

 

[just1morething]

Tried chiropractor today but no positive results with my noise. I have a stiff neck so thought it was worth trying. A swift kick in the arse would have done as much good.

 

[just1morething]

Probably will check this place out regarding my neck:

https://www.regenexx.com/dizziness-and-neck-pain/

1. George Justice says:
   November 8, 2017 at 12:49 pm
   I am a very successful Regenexx medial right knee stem cell patient. Your article regarding the neck causes me to wonder if the tinnitus I have is caused by neck issues. When I turn from left to right and rotate my neck the tinnitus gets louder and softer. The sound is 100% of the time.
   
   I have limited range of motion in my neck.
   
   Reply
   1. Regenexx Team says:
      November 8, 2017 at 7:03 pm
      George,
      Great to hear your knee is doing so well! Tinnitus can be caused by, and or aggravated by neck issues. It can also be caused by many different things, even hip replacement related cobalt poisoning. The change in volume upon turning your head and the limited range of motion in your neck suggest there's a good chance we can help.
      
      

 

[just1morething]

Well the ol chiro had a trick up his sleeve Thursday. He had a air bulb with a hose on it and blew it up my nostril as I swallowed a bit of water. It cleared out my Eustachian tubes and I seem to be able to breathe better. My noise actually seemed worse yesterday after he did it and I was worried about permanent damage, but today I seem pretty good.

I also took a Cymbalta as I didn't know what to do. Not sure I will continue taking those though. I only took one and noticed some upset stomach. Been trying to correct my forward head posture by sleeping on my back with no pillow and on my side with a high pillow. I am cautiously optimistic that this is helping my posture. Bad habits are hard to break regarding posture in front of a computer. I have some OCD and trauma in my past that I need to recover from also.

Thinking about incorporating @ilovemusic's back to silence methods as well.

 

[just1morething]

I have a static type hiss that I think is coming from neck compression. Going to see if they will do a foraminotomy in the C1-C3. I hate this loud hissing noise. Dr. at appt. yesterday ordered a Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D test and to fax them to her. We discussed nerve compression in the facet joints also.

@Greg Sacramento - Do you have a opinion on my reports below as far as related to tinnitus? Thanks.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething I can only state in general, thoughts to some of us when we get older. When the spine straightens it can cause a muscle imbalance and sometimes that will pinch a nerve. Possible starting onset of age related arthritis or scoliosis can cause or be associated with these problems. To further detail muscles and nerves, an EMG which includes a nerve conduction study may need to be done, but you done that - right?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething Continued from above.

Under IMPRESSIONS
2. Postoperative findings at C5-C6 and C7. Estimated mild to moderate canal stenosis at C5-C6.
------------------------------------------

Canal stenosis is a narrowing of open spaces within the spine and nerve pressure. Most of us have this when we get older. This at the C5-C6 level with nerve pressure canal stenosis can cause tinnitus. Read about canal stenosis causes and non surgical easy to do treatments including walking and with a slight tilt of neck. Doing this can make a very big difference if this is the cause. A severe case which you don't have can cause body pain. Just don't jump up and down.

 

[just1morething]

@Greg Sacramento, I was thinking about the C1-C3 area not the C5-C6. C1-C3 instability or nerve impingement I thought could cause tinnitus? At least that's what I read. Maybe it's just related to straightening of the cervical lordosis causing muscle spasms?

I've read someplace that neck related tinnitus is louder than hearing loss related tinnitus. My noise seemed to switch to my right ear today...loud hissing. I used my oral appliance last night.

Something someone posted on the Reddit forum that I posted here in the past. Excuse the language as it isn't mine. Apparently his noise was caused by neck muscles/posture.

[–]computerguy0-0 0 points1 point2 points 16 days ago (0 children)
I lived with it for years. Doctor after doctor and nothing was wrong with my hearing...IT WAS DRIVING ME NUTS!
But it's been gone for 5 glorious years now. Do you know what it fucking was? My god damn neck muscles. See a chiro, see a massage therapist, and see a physical therapist. Relax and strengthen those muscle in your neck, get your cervical spine aligned, and bye bye tinitis. Of course, this was just my cause... But it is more common than i thought.
I got lazy with my neck stretches and developed Bells Palsy in December, another thing caused by misalignment and stiff neck muscles. I am almost back to normal 8 months later, SO KEEP UP WITH THE ROUTINE ONCE THE RINGING GOES AWAY!

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething I have been able to talk to all the radiologists that noted IMRESSIONS of my studies. All of them were radiologists for many years. In all of my reports it states loss of normal lordosis due to pain from muscular spasms.

I was told that multilevel degenerative change (common as we get older) such as facet arthritis, joint hypertrophy, disc space narrowing from spondylosis is usually is not a reason by itself for somatic physical tinnitus unless there was a dramatic change in the c spine. A quick change in the c spine can be a form of whiplash motions or muscle trauma. Muscle strain that may cause an imbalance of muscles and pressure nerves including possible hearing nerves. TMJ may develop from a change in C1. Other than whiplash or injury changes to the c spine such as bad posture, having one leg shorter may take years to have an effect on the c spine. Some are born with a straight spine. All my radiologists said this. Other doctors also said if the c spine had straighten, over curved or is out of place to fix that first. I prefer safe soft directed exercise.

 

[just1morething]

@Greg Sacramento, My left ear is hissing again. Maybe it is caused by TMJD? Spasms of the tiny muscles behind the eardrum. But how do you stop it if it is in spasm? That was the same ear I got fluid in from a 2008 flight. It is a maddening loud low pitched noise. Oral appliance doesn't seem to help. Maybe Botox will work?

I'm seeing a new TMJ Doctor in early Feb. I've heard his appliance doesn't have bands on it like my current one.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething Try moving your hand down your your left jaw and if it modulates your T then it's your C1 which could relate to TMJD.

 

[just1morething]

@Greg Sacramento, I have static in both ears now so probably HF hearing loss caused. This noise is obnoxious. Upper cervical is possibly causing, but my confidence is low. May still look at foraminotomy C1-C3 if the Dr. will do it. This is a horrible noise. My lower back is causing some issues with my toes.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@just1morething I'm sorry my good friend. Some of your conditions like T, TMJ, lower back, legs and toes are like mine. It's tough getting old with T and having other problems. If may not matter too much longer for me, as I have heart disease and I'm not getting a transplant.

 

[BreachOfEuphoria]

Probably will check this place out regarding my neck:

https://www.regenexx.com/dizziness-and-neck-pain/

1. George Justice says:
   November 8, 2017 at 12:49 pm
   I am a very successful Regenexx medial right knee stem cell patient. Your article regarding the neck causes me to wonder if the tinnitus I have is caused by neck issues. When I turn from left to right and rotate my neck the tinnitus gets louder and softer. The sound is 100% of the time.
   
   I have limited range of motion in my neck.
   
   Reply
   1. Regenexx Team says:
      November 8, 2017 at 7:03 pm
      George,
      Great to hear your knee is doing so well! Tinnitus can be caused by, and or aggravated by neck issues. It can also be caused by many different things, even hip replacement related cobalt poisoning. The change in volume upon turning your head and the limited range of motion in your neck suggest there's a good chance we can help.
      

Thank you so much for writing this.
I'm sorry you are having neck problems. I had my neck collapse in the summer and i've been 40 % since then.

I got massive head pressure when i tilt forwards. I'm having decreased sense in 2 of my cranial nerves and i have a feeling that i gotta do something quick.

 

[Contrast]

The brain is plastic after 20 years it can still do undo faulty wiring