Efficacy of myofascial trigger point deactivation for tinnitus control

Abstract

Besides medical and audiological investigation, patients with tinnitus should also be checked for: 1) presence of myofascial pain surrounding the ear; 2) laterality between both symptoms; 3) initial decrease of tinnitus during muscle palpation. Treating this specific subgroup of tinnitus patients with myofascial trigger point release may provide better results than others described so far.

Tinnitus: Diagnosis and treatment options

“…The treatment arm had 10 sessions of myofascial trigger point deactivation/injections around the ear and in the cervical spine which resulted in statistically signi icant improvement in symptoms (p<0.001) and revealed a statistically signi icant relationship between pain relief and tinnitus relief (p<0.013). The severity or intensity of tinnitus symptoms was also noted to frequently be affected by physical manipulation [18].…”

Ménière’s Disease and Tinnitus

“…Noise exposure, metabolic and cardiovascular disease, presbycusis, ototoxicity and cranial and cervical trauma are the most frequently considered causes of tinnitus [12,13]. Cafeine abuse, dietary factors, temporomandibular joint and cervical diseases have also been described as contributing factors [14][15][16].…”

Pathophysiology of myofascial trigger points: a review of literature

“…Its existence is related to degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, metabolic, macro or micro trauma of various structures processes [10], [11] having as injury mechanisms postures, over weight, and physical and emotional stress, causing the tensioning on specific muscle groups and / or associates. Affecting mainly the cervical, shoulder girdle, lumbar and temporomandibular joint of individuals in the ost active age groups between 31 and 50 years of age [1], [8]. Estimates from a study [12] conducted by Danes found that in 37% of men and 65% women, aged 30-60 years have MTP.…”

“…The occurrence of pain is related to excessive involuntary muscle contraction and is characterized by stiff regions, the presence of bands of palpable tension, internal to the muscle tissue, and / or associated with fascia and small, hypersensitive [4] points, regions hardened [5], [6] and well defined, called myofascial trigger points (MTP). As such, these spontaneously or under mechanical stimulation of the skeletal muscle (muscle, tendon, or fascia) in the presence or absence of a adjacent local or pain [7], [8], [9]. Its existence is related to degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, metabolic, macro or micro trauma of various structures processes [10], [11] having as injury mechanisms postures, over weight, and physical and emotional stress, causing the tensioning on specific muscle groups and / or associates.…”