Chiropractor Made Tinnitus Worse?

[Natalie Roberts]

I started seeing my regular chiropractor around the time the T started about 3 weeks ago. I didn't initially think there could have been a problem with the way he adjusted my neck causing T, but now I've been thinking maybe its possible. Has anyone ever heard of a chiropractor adjustment causing T? I recently switched chiropractors because of this and have an appointment with a new chirporactor dr this afternoon for rib pain (pregnancy induced) and was going to mention the T. I'm just a little nervous that an adjustment to my neck area may make it worse? Well, honestly I'm nervous doing anything may make it worse.. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[glynis]

Long-term pain and discomfort from conditions in the neck can also aggravate tinnitus in the same way TMJ problems do. Studies have shown that patients who have suffered an injury to the head and neck region, such as from a car accident, or who have neck pain or stiffness for other reasons, such as arthritis, are more likely to experience tinnitus.

Furthermore, there is some scientific evidence to support how the nerve endings in the neck make connections in the hearing centres of the brain, explaining how neck problems may affect tinnitus. Quite often the tinnitus associated with neck injuries may be more severe, and can be combined with other symptoms such as headache, depression, and problems with memory and concentration.

Treatment generally depends on the cause of the neck problem, but the results from treating the underlying neck problem are often good. Treatment options can be discussed with your family doctor, who in some cases will recommend simple measures such as the use of painkillers and physiotherapy...lots of love glynis

 

[I who love music]

I started seeing my regular chiropractor around the time the T started about 3 weeks ago. I didn't initially think there could have been a problem with the way he adjusted my neck causing T, but now I've been thinking maybe its possible. Has anyone ever heard of a chiropractor adjustment causing T? I recently switched chiropractors because of this and have an appointment with a new chirporactor dr this afternoon for rib pain (pregnancy induced) and was going to mention the T. I'm just a little nervous that an adjustment to my neck area may make it worse? Well, honestly I'm nervous doing anything may make it worse.. Any advise would be appreciated.

I've been going to a chiropractor often for years. Anything he does is supposed to promote wellness. I've never had a spike after a chiropractic visit.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

I've been going to a chiropractor often for years. Anything he does is supposed to promote wellness. I've never had a spike after a chiropractic visit.

That makes me feel better. I just never had problems with long-lasting tinnitus before seeing the other chiropractor so I was a little nervous he maybe did something the last time he adjusted my neck. Everything I do makes me nervous for an increase or spike. :/ Feel like I'm walking on egg shells.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Long-term pain and discomfort from conditions in the neck can also aggravate tinnitus in the same way TMJ problems do. Studies have shown that patients who have suffered an injury to the head and neck region, such as from a car accident, or who have neck pain or stiffness for other reasons, such as arthritis, are more likely to experience tinnitus.

Furthermore, there is some scientific evidence to support how the nerve endings in the neck make connections in the hearing centres of the brain, explaining how neck problems may affect tinnitus. Quite often the tinnitus associated with neck injuries may be more severe, and can be combined with other symptoms such as headache, depression, and problems with memory and concentration.

Treatment generally depends on the cause of the neck problem, but the results from treating the underlying neck problem are often good. Treatment options can be discussed with your family doctor, who in some cases will recommend simple measures such as the use of painkillers and physiotherapy...lots of love glynis

I never have had neck problems, trauma to the neck or anything like that. I just noticed my T started after my chiropractic visit and alignment of my neck as well as back. Again, I don't know if this is related or not. I just was feeling a little nervous to visit someone else worried they make make it worse..

 

[Blackbird26]

I never have had neck problems, trauma to the neck or anything like that. I just noticed my T started after my chiropractic visit and alignment of my neck as well as back. Again, I don't know if this is related or not. I just was feeling a little nervous to visit someone else worried they make make it worse..

What is your reason to see a chiro to begin with? Yes I most certainly think an adjustment to your neck could cause tinnitus.

 

[noisebox]

If you did not have T before you had your neck adjusted then maybe it has caused it. Did you have total silence before going.
I personally had T a few years before seeing mine about neck pain. She helped my neck pain and I believe my T to a degree. She has never made it worse.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

What is your reason to see a chiro to begin with? Yes I most certainly think an adjustment to your neck could cause tinnitus.

I was seeing the chiro for chest and back pain. He adjusted my neck on 2 of the visits.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

If you did not have T before you had your neck adjusted then maybe it has caused it. Did you have total silence before going.
I personally had T a few years before seeing mine about neck pain. She helped my neck pain and I believe my T to a degree. She has never made it worse.

I mean if I did have T before the adjustments, it wasn't something that was bothersome to me. I did have short burts of ringing (like less then 5 minutes) in either ear before the constant T began for several years but nothing like it is now. That is why I switched chiropractors. I cannot say for certain in contributed or not, but I wanted to talk to a different chiro and get their opinion before having my neck adjusted again. I'm just worried it will make it worse. My appointment is this afternoon and the primary reason for going is not my T, but rather severe rib pain from pregnancy.. I really just wanted your experience on if it ever was made worse by seeing a chiro.

 

[Blujay]

I read of one person who got instant, severe, and permanent tinnitus from a single neck adjustment.

On the other hand, some improve, and some have no change.

Be careful.

 

[eric peterson]

I mean if I did have T before the adjustments, it wasn't something that was bothersome to me. I did have short burts of ringing (like less then 5 minutes) in either ear before the constant T began for several years but nothing like it is now. That is why I switched chiropractors. I cannot say for certain in contributed or not, but I wanted to talk to a different chiro and get their opinion before having my neck adjusted again. I'm just worried it will make it worse. My appointment is this afternoon and the primary reason for going is not my T, but rather severe rib pain from pregnancy.. I really just wanted your experience on if it ever was made worse by seeing a chiro.

Correlation vs. causality is a funny thing, particularly when talking about your health. You'll see no shortage of stories on this site attributing the cause of someone's tinnitus or the severe increase in someone's tinnitus due to something that is either a freak accident, or in reality, truly unrelated to what caused someone's T. A happened, then B happened, therefore A caused B. Ok. Maybe. But what really happened is you got tinnitus, and then started looking backwards for things that might have caused it. If it's something like a loud concert without earplugs, that seems like you might have found your culprit, b/c a sh*t ton of people on this site got their tinnitus exactly that way. But once you start going down Jacob's ladder a while you end up at things that are increasingly less and less likely have caused your tinnitus. Some people just have tinnitus. No good known reason why. Just is. Hearing loss or whatever...and you didn't even go to a concert. I can't really come up with a good reason for mine, though I have a not terribly short list of possible culprits. I also started worrying myself about every single drug I had to take because they were all on a list of ototoxic drugs. Of course, that lists never says how ototoxic a drug is, and if whatever known tinnitus it may cause is generally temporary or permanent. And of course, I never thought about what benefits I was deriving in the short term (pain management, etc.). Nothing mattered except not risking my tinnitus ramping, even if just shortly. I guess the point that I'm getting at with all of this, is the world is full of risks. Every drug known has side effects. So my question to you is a two part one. What benefit, if any, do you derive from going to the chiropractor? And are you able right now to objectively think about your tinnitus to judge it before and after you go as to really notice whether it got any louder, or if you're just being emotional about it? because if you're feeling a lot better after going to the chiro, then I'd keep going and try and objectively see if it's making my tinnitus worse. If it isn't, awesome. If it is, then I'd have to weigh the benefits and the costs, which only you can do.

Good luck,

Eric

 

[glynis]

My reply was just basic info from the BTA on neck and TMJ ...lots of love glynis

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Correlation vs. causality is a funny thing, particularly when talking about your health. You'll see no shortage of stories on this site attributing the cause of someone's tinnitus or the severe increase in someone's tinnitus due to something that is either a freak accident, or in reality, truly unrelated to what caused someone's T. A happened, then B happened, therefore A caused B. Ok. Maybe. But what really happened is you got tinnitus, and then started looking backwards for things that might have caused it. If it's something like a loud concert without earplugs, that seems like you might have found your culprit, b/c a sh*t ton of people on this site got their tinnitus exactly that way. But once you start going down Jacob's ladder a while you end up at things that are increasingly less and less likely have caused your tinnitus. Some people just have tinnitus. No good known reason why. Just is. Hearing loss or whatever...and you didn't even go to a concert. I can't really come up with a good reason for mine, though I have a not terribly short list of possible culprits. I also started worrying myself about every single drug I had to take because they were all on a list of ototoxic drugs. Of course, that lists never says how ototoxic a drug is, and if whatever known tinnitus it may cause is generally temporary or permanent. And of course, I never thought about what benefits I was deriving in the short term (pain management, etc.). Nothing mattered except not risking my tinnitus ramping, even if just shortly. I guess the point that I'm getting at with all of this, is the world is full of risks. Every drug known has side effects. So my question to you is a two part one. What benefit, if any, do you derive from going to the chiropractor? And are you able right now to objectively think about your tinnitus to judge it before and after you go as to really notice whether it got any louder, or if you're just being emotional about it? because if you're feeling a lot better after going to the chiro, then I'd keep going and try and objectively see if it's making my tinnitus worse. If it isn't, awesome. If it is, then I'd have to weigh the benefits and the costs, which only you can do.

Good luck,

Eric

Your replies are always so in depth and thoughtful and I appreciate that. I went in, turns out she too suffers from tinnitus. She said her neurologist recommended downloading a metronome appreciation that vibrates, put it on the slowest setting and hold it to your temporal lobe of the ear that's more affected if you can tell for as long as you can handle it. She said it improves her tinnitus for several hours. Interesting . She adjusted my neck way up high by my atlas because she said it was pretty out of balance and I don't initially notice a spike or increase from what I've been realistically hearing all day. She also wants me to get my magnesium and b12 levels checked and talk to my OB about the safety in taking extra supplements but for now try increasing with food sources. The only thing I am noticing more of is slight dizziness and a headache so we will see how that goes as the day progresses. I do think there are a lot of benefits to going to a chiropractor I just may steer clear of neck adjustments depending on how this goes. Have you ever heard of the metronome thing? Seems strange but worth a try!

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Is it

I read of one person who got instant, severe, and permanent tinnitus from a single neck adjustment.

On the other hand, some improve, and some have no change.

Be careful.

It is scary to think about all the causes that could have caused this or may affect it.. I don't notice an immediate improvement or negative effect so far, so we will see how the next few days go.

 

[eric peterson]

Your replies are always so in depth and thoughtful and I appreciate that. I went in, turns out she too suffers from tinnitus. She said her neurologist recommended downloading a metronome appreciation that vibrates, put it on the slowest setting and hold it to your temporal lobe of the ear that's more affected if you can tell for as long as you can handle it. She said it improves her tinnitus for several hours. Interesting . She adjusted my neck way up high by my atlas because she said it was pretty out of balance and I don't initially notice a spike or increase from what I've been realistically hearing all day. She also wants me to get my magnesium and b12 levels checked and talk to my OB about the safety in taking extra supplements but for now try increasing with food sources. The only thing I am noticing more of is slight dizziness and a headache so we will see how that goes as the day progresses. I do think there are a lot of benefits to going to a chiropractor I just may steer clear of neck adjustments depending on how this goes. Have you ever heard of the metronome thing? Seems strange but worth a try!

No, i haven't. But if it helps, then it helps. Give it a go....

 

[DebInAustralia]

Ive looked after many women during pregnancy with tinnitus that often resolves postpartum.

id put my money on the pregnancy causing this, not the chiro.

 

[canyonero]

Never see a chiropractor.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...870726-5cf7-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Ive looked after many women during pregnancy with tinnitus that often resolves postpartum.

id put my money on the pregnancy causing this, not the chiro.

can you tell me more about this? Are you a nurse or a dr? My OB just doesn't have much information on this and pregnancy so I haven't found many success stories. Anything you can tell me would help and ultimately get me through these last 8 weeks. I'm really struggling.

 

[jb96734]

I started seeing my regular chiropractor around the time the T started about 3 weeks ago. I didn't initially think there could have been a problem with the way he adjusted my neck causing T, but now I've been thinking maybe its possible. Has anyone ever heard of a chiropractor adjustment causing T? I recently switched chiropractors because of this and have an appointment with a new chirporactor dr this afternoon for rib pain (pregnancy induced) and was going to mention the T. I'm just a little nervous that an adjustment to my neck area may make it worse? Well, honestly I'm nervous doing anything may make it worse.. Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi @Natalie Roberts - I am currently pregnant at 8 weeks and I feel like my tinnitus is getting worse each week. I did develop T during by third pregnancy which unfortunately I had a miscarriage (happened in November 2015) then got pregnant early January of this year. After the miscarriage my T was barely noticeable, but not that I'm pregnant again, it got louder. I was wondering if your T got better after giving birth?

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Hi @Natalie Roberts - I am currently pregnant at 8 weeks and I feel like my tinnitus is getting worse each week. I did develop T during by third pregnancy which unfortunately I had a miscarriage (happened in November 2015) then got pregnant early January of this year. After the miscarriage my T was barely noticeable, but not that I'm pregnant again, it got louder. I was wondering if your T got better after giving birth?

Im sorry to hear about your miscarriage

This is also my third pregnancy and the only time I've ever experienced tinnitus that was not fleeting.. My tinnitus seems the same (maybe slightly better) since I gave birth 4 weeks ago, however my reaction to my tinnitus is much better. I don't have as much anxiety to it as I did when it initially started so I feel better overall. I think it may be improving slightly though which is a plus. My ent said if my tinnitus is caused from my hormones it should resolve after pregnancy when my hormones return to normal (after several months) or it could last for a few months after i stop breastfeeding. There's just no saying for sure. But my ent said pregnancy hormones can cause changes in hearing and vision so to wait it out I am hopeful it continues improving over time.

 

[jb96734]

@

Im sorry to hear about your miscarriage

This is also my third pregnancy and the only time I've ever experienced tinnitus that was not fleeting.. My tinnitus seems the same (maybe slightly better) since I gave birth 4 weeks ago, however my reaction to my tinnitus is much better. I don't have as much anxiety to it as I did when it initially started so I feel better overall. I think it may be improving slightly though which is a plus. My ent said if my tinnitus is caused from my hormones it should resolve after pregnancy when my hormones return to normal (after several months) or it could last for a few months after i stop breastfeeding. There's just no saying for sure. But my ent said pregnancy hormones can cause changes in hearing and vision so to wait it out I am hopeful it continues improving over time.

I'm glad it has gotten slightly better for you and I'm hopeful as well. I was just recently diagnosed with Eustachian Tube Disorder, so I am not too sure which caused my T to start. If it was from my 3rd pregnancy or my ETD. I had a bad week this past week, letting my T get to the best of me, crying almost every night. Last night when I found this forum and reading "success stories" I told my self "I'm young and I have two kids and one on the way - I have a lot to live for and this T will not break me down." I'm glad I found a mom on here. I believe the support of this forum will definitely help me cope. Crossing fingers that after your hormones stabilize and soon after your done breastfeeding that your T subsides as well.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

@


I'm glad it has gotten slightly better for you and I'm hopeful as well. I was just recently diagnosed with Eustachian Tube Disorder, so I am not too sure which caused my T to start. If it was from my 3rd pregnancy or my ETD. I had a bad week this past week, letting my T get to the best of me, crying almost every night. Last night when I found this forum and reading "success stories" I told my self "I'm young and I have two kids and one on the way - I have a lot to live for and this T will not break me down." I'm glad I found a mom on here. I believe the support of this forum will definitely help me cope. Crossing fingers that after your hormones stabilize and soon after your done breastfeeding that your T subsides as well.

I have gotten a bunch of support here with women who have gone through tinnitus during pregnancy, mothers who have tinnitus and everyone else on this forum who have helped me stay sane!


When my tinnitus first started I cried a ton and had panic attacks all the time. That was over 4 months ago and I'm doing so much better now!the support and information I found here helped me a ton to get to where I am now! I don't have any sort of ear disfunction and they aren't sure what the cause of my tinnitus is (whether pregnancy or hearing loss) but I am still hopeful it continues improving!

Tinnitus is hard and it's really hard dealing with tinnitus while being a mom and pregnant on top of all that! But know you have your kids to live for and try and focus on them when things get really rough. From what my ent and perinatologist told me tinnitus caused by pregnancy usually goes away at some point after delivery but it can take time or it can be instant. I've heard from several women here who knew someone with tinnitus during pregnancy and it went away after delivery so it could happen for you (and me) too!

One thing that I've learned is time is the biggest alley in this battle! As time has gone on for me I've felt better and better. It does take time though and it's hard while you're waiting to get to that point. Once you stop giving your tinnitus all your attention you can start to heal. It's easier said then done, I get it. But it really does happen- I promise! I never thought I would be where I am today when this first started. I thought my life was over in the beginning and now it's just an annoyance..

Anyway I'm here whenever you need support!

 

[jeannie]

If being pregnant and changing hormones can cause tinnitus, I wonder about peri/menopause..?I had asked my gynecologist and he said no of course.but I'm thinking yes.

 

[Gozza]

I have suffered from tinnitus since 1973, I thought it was bad until a few weeks ago when I went to have my shoulder massaged and a back manipulation. That night hearing in the left ear suddenly stopped and I have not heard anything in the left ear since. I also developed extreme tinnitus in the same ear, so unbearable that I find it very hard to relax, sleep and work has become impossible as I no longer can understand what people are saying. I have been to a ear specialist and they sent me for tests that have not come up with anything to date. I am having MRI scans and IAM this Saturday to rule out a possible brain tumor. I spoke to my Chiropractor today and told him what happened and he suggested I get the MRI and then come and see him again if it's all clear. Has anyone else had a similar problem and if so did you find a way to stop the tinnitus and get your hearing back?

 

[Alue]

I have suffered from tinnitus since 1973, I thought it was bad until a few weeks ago when I went to have my shoulder massaged and a back manipulation. That night hearing in the left ear suddenly stopped and I have not heard anything in the left ear since. I also developed extreme tinnitus in the same ear, so unbearable that I find it very hard to relax, sleep and work has become impossible as I no longer can understand what people are saying. I have been to a ear specialist and they sent me for tests that have not come up with anything to date. I am having MRI scans and IAM this Saturday to rule out a possible brain tumor. I spoke to my Chiropractor today and told him what happened and he suggested I get the MRI and then come and see him again if it's all clear. Has anyone else had a similar problem and if so did you find a way to stop the tinnitus and get your hearing back?

Sounds like SSNHL to me. Did the doctor put you on prednisone or IT steroid injections?

 

[aboates]

Hello, New member here, but long time tinnitus sufferer. I have struggles w T since at least 2001, if not before. I also have the fun symptoms of vertigo, hyperacusis, disorientation...etc. All of these, of course, come and go...sometimes they are barely present, occasionally they are debilitating. I have seen numerous ENT's, neurologists, been evaluated at Johns Hopkins...etc. Most tried medications that either made symptoms worse or made me super drowsy and out of it...Kepra, Topril, Topamax, Klonopin, Neurotin, Verapamil, Zrytec, Propranolol, Meclizine, Pamelor...probably a few more. I have been through several possible diagnoses... the initial thought was that I had Ménière's disease, however years of hearing tests...despite the chronic tinnitus, have shown "normal" levels of hearing loss (I am age 50). The last suggested diagnosis was vestibular migraine. This is pretty much treated the same as Ménière's disease. About 7 years ago, I finally had my wisdom teeth removed. The following year I had a permanent molar on the upper left go bad and had that pulled. I developed TMJ within a year which of course stirred up all of the old issues. I have been treated by a neuromusculer dentist for about two years now. She made me an occlusional orthotic that fits over my bottom teeth. It has helped to stabilize my bite, although the T and other symptoms still present themselves periodically. To move to the next phase (which is a bridge and Invisalign), the dentist states that I need to get issues with my neck addressed. She initially wanted me to try a posture pump..which I did, but found it very uncomfortable. So, she then said that I needed to go see a chiropractor that specializes in upper cervical care called an atlas orthogonal chiropractor. I went this Monday and had my first treatment. Since then, my T has been raging, my balance has been off, and I have generally felt unwell. So, I called my dentist and she said that things will get worse before they get better...however...I am super reluctant to try anything that makes my T rage like it is right now. So, she now wants me to go physical therapy to address my neck issues before she can complete the TMJ treatment. Man, what a journey this has been...sorry for the novel. Does anyone else have experience w an atlas orthogonal chiro and tinnitus? If so, did your T improve or get worse? if it got worse, did it improve over time? I spoke w the chiro about it and she indicated that the T has gotten worse because the adjustment stirred up the muscles and nerves in my neck and that things would settle down in about 10 days. No settling has occurred as of yet and it has been 4 days.

 

[Rosa L]

Hello. I'm a 44 year old female. I have had tinnitus since 2013, possibly due to an ear antibiotic prescribed during a spout of vertigo. Have had it everyday since, but over the years I barely paid any attention to it and would only hear it during quite moments. I recently went to a Chiropractor/wellness doctor for allergies which I had for months and because I just felt tired all the time. He found that I was severely iron deficient. He also found that my neck curvature needed adjustment and so did my spine and my TMJ. So I agreed to some adjustments. After the second adjustment, a couple of days later I started to feel tension/pressure frontal bone pain, neck tension, scalp tension, eye tension, and my tinnitus got so much worse where now I heard it through watching TV, talking, etc... I have another appointment with him today and I'm actually not sure what to do. I plan to tell him what is happening, but I don't know if I should keep getting adjusted. I don't feel that I can leave the current symptoms as is. Anyone have any positive outcome from tinnitus and chiropractic care?