Can Reflexology Help Tinnitus?

Tinnitus sufferers can hear phantom noises in the ears which have been variously described as ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing, clicking or whooshing. The noise may vary in intensity from low background noise to a high pitched squeal and may be in one or both ears. Occasionally the sound is so intense that it can interfere with the ability to concentrate or hear. These sounds can be constant or irregular and it is thought to affect almost 10% of the population to a greater or lesser degree. As with any condition we would recommend consulting a doctor, who may find a cause and be able to treat the tinnitus. But In many cases, there is no specific treatment. It may simply go away on its own, or it may be a permanent condition that the subject has to learn to "live with." Reflexology often becomes the last resort for clients who have tried every conventional method of dealing with their condition without success. And Alec certainly fell into this category when he came to book his first appointment. Suffering from tinnitus continually with no relief he had been unable to concentrate and his sense of balance was so impaired that he had lost his job as a painter and decorator.

As a result of the volume of debilitating noise in his head, his sleep was disturbed and he had reached the stage where he had actually considered suicide.

Conventional medicine had been unable to find a solution and so a friend suggested he should try Reflexology. Over the course of six treatments, the tinnitus improved to the extent that he was able to sleep normally and he had begun to look for a new job. This all took place around ten years ago and Alec has been free of the condition for most of that time only returning for the occasional 'top-up' Reflexology treatment.

This case study was, for this reflexologist and her client, a very happy result and I was privileged to be able to help. But there is also a lovely story that goes with it. Because Alec had lost his job he was unable to afford a course of treatment and so, as I had just moved house, we came to a mutually acceptable agreement. Instead of payment he would decorate the stairs and landing in my new home. Reflexology is really beneficial to both client and therapist and who said the barter system doesn't work?