Sternocleidomastoid muscle in neck/Tinnitus - Tinnitus UK

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Sternocleidomastoid muscle in neck/Tinnitus

bluebell71 profile image
17 Replies

I have come across a YouTube video explaining how the Sternocleidomastoid muscles either side of your neck can cause loud tinnitus.

I’ve been suffering with tinnitus for many years, at the moment it’s very loud and has been for the last few months.

I am also seeing a physiotherapist for pain in my neck left side, when I stretch my head to the right it hurts. I sleep on my left side too.

I am wondering that by doing neck exercises by stretching the muscle leaning head to the right and holding may improve my tinnitus.

Anyone else experienced this and do neck exercises help ?

Jean

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bluebell71
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17 Replies
Peejayache profile image
Peejayache

That's interesting Bluebell. Before my T started three years ago I suffered from much pain on the left side of my neck. It gradually went after chiropractor treatment but my T started up on the right side and has continued since.

Waju14160 profile image
Waju14160

Good morning Jean,

I've had pulsatile tinnitus for years and years and mostly am lucky enough to be able get on with life without it bothering me too much.

During the past few months or so I think my neck is getting stiffer and tinnitus noisier so maybe there is something in it. I have been thinking about seeking advice from someone to see if massage or neck exercises might help. I notice that as I move my neck the noise/pitch of the tinnitus alters greatly.

Looking forward to reading the replies you get!

Have a lovely day x

Angelicscripts6 profile image
Angelicscripts6

They maybe some truth in this..I've got pulsating tinnitus which is down to neck & after tests from ent & scan on neck due to a lump at left side which turns out its the muscle so when I finally see neurosurgeon next month I'll mention this.Disks in neck gone & have boney osteophytes growth which are squashing blood vessels nerves & when I try neck exercises my neck muscles go into spasm & have very little movement & cause the tinnitus to become unbearable.

TinnitusUKPat profile image
TinnitusUKPatPartner

Hi Jean

I believe that this falls into the general category of somato sensory tinnitus - tinntius which can be changed or suppressed by muscular movement in the spine or jaw area. There's a research paper on our website from a few years back by Belgian physiotherapist Dr Sarah Michiels which relates to it - tinnitus.org.uk/somatic-som...

Best wishes

Pat

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71 in reply toTinnitusUKPat

Thank you for the reply, I’m curious as I have a painful neck when I lean to one side and very loud tinnitus. Thank you

Jean

Mat189 profile image
Mat189

Hello. I have high pitched T in my left ear. It’s acceptable but my annoying thing is my ears feel a fullness. I can crack or pop my ears by swallowing but they go back immediately. Also my T then becomes more of a hum. I’m currently seeing an osteopath who thinks it’s connected to my upper spine C1 and C2. Time will tell if it’s affective

Fridays_Child_62 profile image
Fridays_Child_62 in reply toMat189

I have been through similar episodes with tension in my ears and opening the Eustachian Tubes only giving very temporary relief. Do you get any relief from lying down or applying a warm or cool compress to the sides of your face?

Mat189 profile image
Mat189 in reply toFridays_Child_62

Hi. The only relief I get from lying down is when I’m asleep. I will try the warm cloth on the side of my face. Thanks.

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71

Thank you everyone for replying, there is a link provided by BTA which explain more about this subject. I hope it helps…..

Jean

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71 in reply tobluebell71

The link is about somato sensory tinnitus - tinntius which can be changed or suppressed by muscular movement in the spine or jaw area. I am wondering if neck exercise’s and neck movement may help reduce the loudness of T 🤞

Jean

Kimijo66 profile image
Kimijo66

My tinnitus is loud in both ears and I believe it is coming from the upper cranial and jaw area, when I get massages and they work on the neck muscles it sends pain right up to my ears, so yes muscles can cause that. I just recently started seeing a chiropractor and he is doing decompressing on my neck and I noticed my ears are making weird noises. Again this is targeting neck muscles, so his pressure points he does on my neck seems to aggravate it a little. I do know also that the infra red light therapy beds seems to relax these muscles.

Kim

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71 in reply toKimijo66

Hi KimSame here I’ve got loud T in both ears, it calms down a little at times. Thank you for your reply there is definitely some connection with neck muscles and tinnitus. I will try anything that may relieve me from the racket going on in my head…..

All the best and take care.

Jean

Graham1108 profile image
Graham1108

Hi, Interesting post. I have pain in my neck on my right side at the same time as T in my right ear which has been ongoing since November 2020. The 'specialist' at the ENT hospital told me 'I can 100% assure you that the pain in your neck you are experiencing has nothing to do withT' but I don't believe him! After research the pain I am experiencing is from the Sternocleidomastoid muscle and I am convinced its related to my T. Someone posted some time ago about the Curalistic Programme which is on you tube. I wonder if you look at that it might help?

Keepfitandhealth profile image
Keepfitandhealth

Hi bluebell71,It can’t hurt to do a bit of stretching. Try some gentle yoga or Pilates classes at your local gym or studio. Worse case you’ll be too relaxed and have more flexibility! I have found relaxation de stresses me which makes everything more manageable.

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71 in reply toKeepfitandhealth

Thank you for the advice, you are right it doesn’t hurt to do some stretching, I may well try some yoga or go to the gym. The distraction with being with people will help also taking my mind off T.

It’s all about managing your tinnitus staying in control, although it’s hard some days.

Best wishes

Jean

Mat189 profile image
Mat189

My fear is my Osteopath my make my T louder. After first few treatments it seems a little louder. After yesterdays treatment a few hours later I had to lay down because I felt so dizzy and sick. I ended up sleeping for 12 hrs and still don’t feel 100% today.

bluebell71 profile image
bluebell71 in reply toMat189

Hi Mat189I would keep going if you can with your Osteopath, manipulation of the neck and shoulder muscles will help to relax you eventually.

It may take a while but I believe that to de stress and relax if you can should be beneficial and hopefully reduce your tinnitus in the long run.

All the best

Jean

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