Chiropractor or physio therapy?

[Liamovy]

I have had tinnitus for 3 years now and have still not habituated if anything it’s worsening. I also suffer from back and neck ache for about the same time which I put down to poor posture from working from home sometimes on a laptop and am wondering if this is causing or exasperating my tinnitus. I am considering contacting either a chiropractor or physio therapist to look at my back and neck pain but am terrified or doing anything that could worsen my tinnitus further. So my question is has anybody had any success or negative experiences with either of these professionals?

[Hidden]

I cannot imagine that relieving pain and discomfort could make your T worse.

Personally I use a physio for this (she specialises in necks and upper backs!). Makes absolutely no difference to T as far as I’m concerned.

I used to use an osteopath. Again absolutely no difference to T. except when one is relieved of pain then the T has less chance to intrude.

[Liamovy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Feel like I need to rule it out for my own peace of mind but very conscious that I’m probably clutching at straws but at least my neck and back would feel better! Xx

[jeddington56]

hi, i read that a chiropractor can help with tinnitus so i made an appointment with him, as i have back and leg problems, and thought i would kill two birds with one stone, but when i arrived he asked what problem i had and when i told him about the tinnitus he immediately said he was unable to help me with that. I was so disappointed.

[Liamovy in reply to jeddington56]

So sorry to hear about that. Think I’m probably clutching at straws too xx

[cheapo in reply to jeddington56]

Technically your chiropractor is correct, but as tinnitus can be a reactive thing getting pain relief may help some individuals but not others. So no harm in getting a back massage!

[Liamovy in reply to cheapo]

Just booked a massage! Ready to try anything! Xx

[cheapo]

Because tinnitus is often a reactive thing yes it can be caused or worsened by back or neck pain. And, as your subconscious hears it, it can, but not always, react and sometimes over-react by listening harder, which is kind of a vicious circle. So definitely visit a chiropractor. Mine is quite expensive at £45, but my back feel better for a good while afterwards, and it has never had an adverse on my tinnitus.

Good luck

[Liamovy in reply to cheapo]

Thanks the feedback I will give it a go thank you xx

[cheapo]

Good luck my friend.

[Untold]

Hi Lia. I had neck issues along with my somatic tinnitus. Didn't know if it was related but threw some money at some complimentary therapies. Saw a chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist and an acupuncturist.In fairness to the first two, they both said, "you'll know if it's helping after two sessions." It didn't help at all, neither did the physio or the acupuncturist.

Not much help I know, but just thought I'd pass it on.

Good luck.

[Liamovy in reply to Untold]

Thanks it does help as at least I’m not going in with too high expectations

[Liamovy in reply to Untold]

Just read some of your previous posts and see that you have a really severe form of tinnitus. I really feel for you as I’m not at the same level but still find it really difficult. Although my tinnitus is not somatic I do have the crackling in my ears when swallowing or yawning it’s hundreds of times a day! Doctor and ENT consultant have examined my ears and said there is no eustacian dysfunction so have no idea what could be causing this. Did you get any explanation for yours? Wishing you lots of luck in your tinnitus journey and pray you find something that helps xx

[Sassyjax1]

Hello, I’m right there with you. I have somatic tinnitus from jaw & neck. It didn’t start as somatic though, that came after. I have c5/6/7 disc herniations and spinal stenosis. In the last few months my T has got a lot worse. I recently had an MRI of the cervical spine, so waiting to see the consultant in 2 weeks’ time. My advice would be to not let a chiropractor touch you until you get advice from your GP or at lest have investigations done first. Simply because, if you have any nerve impingements like I have, they could be made worse from any adjustments. Two of my cervical discs are impinging the spinal cord itself. They only found that from MRI’s, so I urge you to be very careful before embarking on anything that could potentially cause further discomfort. I’m hopeful you get some form of habituation soon. I haven’t habituated because my T just keeps throwing me a curve ball. Many people do habituate so I’m told.

[Liamovy in reply to Sassyjax1]

Thanks for replying and for your honest response. I had doubts about chiropractor anyways and this has helped confirm them. I hope you get some answers with your next appointment and fingers crossed for some relief xx

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Liamovy]

I’m the last person to offer advice on health issues - but I feel it’s important to speak to the qualified spine professionals first. For instance, I saw an osteopath for a year for l4/5 excruciating back pain. Neither they nor my spine consultant spotted what were res flags for cauda equina syndrome. Yet both are supposed to be trained in it. I ended up having emergency neuro surgery & the brain surgeon caused me 2 brain fluid leaks. One of which was left undetected. Another surgeon recently told me that my 11 year olds clicking hips & spine are a sign that I shouldn’t be letting her compete in gymnastics. She already has wear & tear damage in her joints. She’s only 6 stone too, so not even weight-related. My spine issue isn’t even inherent they say. I personally disagree. I’m pleased you are erring on the side of caution. Was wondering if maybe a trip or two to a sauna might help any muscle tension?

[Liamovy in reply to Sassyjax1]

Jeez that’s all really frightening. I pray you get some answers soon. I have booked a relaxing massage instead and am going to do some Light neck and shoulder excercises in meantime and see how that goes. Thanks again for all your advice xx

[Sassyjax1 in reply to Liamovy]

Mine is literally one of the worst case scenarios. Massage is a good idea. Your GP can also organise a physio app for neck exercises. I do those. Very gentle. Good luck. Please update us on your progress. Xx.

[Liamovy in reply to Sassyjax1]

thank you again and sending lots of love and good luck for your next appointment xx

[Demeb4dat]

I used to see a chiro. for back pain, one day I had a migraine and he wanted to perform a neck manipulation, I was a bit scared but the migraine was there for the third day. I asked him about tinnitus, and he said maybe.......he caused me so much more pain in my neck and I had dizziness for a few days. I stopped seeing him because over the pain he caused, he accused me of liking to complain about my pain to get sympathy from others! I read that a few months later a person died because of his neck manipulation. Be wary of neck manipulations.

[Liamovy in reply to Demeb4dat]

Wow! Thank you for sharing and that’s scary. I had my doubts about chiropractor anyways and this has just totally put me off. Xx

[D-w-L2023 in reply to Liamovy]

I'd personally avoid chiropractors. I saw one a few years ago with a neck issue. They wanted to do a neck manipulation. I wasn't sure what it was but it was pretty scary and made things worse. He might just have been a bad chiropractor but then I read Trick or Treatment by Simon Singh and I won't go anywhere near them now. Good luck with whatever treatment you do decide on. .

[Liamovy in reply to D-w-L2023]

Thank you for your response. To be honest too many warnings about chiropractors so decided not to go down that road. Let’s see what a physio can do! Xx

[BASBUN]

Hi, I saw a Chiropractor for muscular rib pain which worked well, however when he said he could probably help tinnitus unfortunately it didn’t work at all.

[Liamovy in reply to BASBUN]

Thank you for the honest reply xx

[Persevere99]

Hi Liamovy

Re the T.

It’s not the T that is the problem, it’s how you view it. It’s subjective.

I had T for many years, needed benzos to get to sleep.

Then, about 6 years ago I said to myself, ‘X this can’t go on, how about thinking about others’ far worse problems’.

And my wife said ‘X, make a long, long list of what’s going well in your life and you will find that the T will fade away to nothing’.

Then I started doing the above, thinking about others in the world who would give anything to have the quality of life I have.

And, made a long long list of what was good in my life.

That, slowly, did it. And, my T faded away to zero.

And, no benzos for 6 years now.

Please read my longer T post for the full story.

All the best.

Persevere

[Liamovy in reply to Persevere99]

Wow! Great to hear such positivity and in my heart I know you’re right. Just hard getting there. I will take a look at your post and thanks again for replying xxx

[SueX]

Hi, sorry to hear what you say. I have back and neck pain and work from home a lot. I had a CT which showed spondylosis in the neck/spine at the level of C5/6. I too was wondering about seeing a physio. Based on what people have said I think I will get another MRI at my own expense and see what is going on. I think we need to be certain on things before being manipulated!

[Liamovy in reply to SueX]

Good luck and keep me posted on your progress xx

[ToetappingPoet]

I've gone down the manipulation route recently. I don't know why the T has become intrusive again after years of it being manageable. I'm waiting to see ENT consultant but another 15 weeks to go. I'm getting persistant migraine type headaches with it. That might be the effect of taking over the counter sleeping aids a lot. So I'm trying self help in earnest until I see the consultant. I booked a head massage for last Saturday morning and was headache-free and relaxed all day after that. She worked for an hour on my clicky gritty neck and knotty shoulders. If I could afford a daily head neck & shoulder massage that would be great, especially before bed. But it was £45, so once a fortnight it will have to be. Gentle manipulation is safer than a chiropractic treatment judging by this thread. Good luck. Wish you well!

[Liamovy]

thank you so much for your feedback it’s really helpful. Based in comments I’ve already decided not to go with the chiropractor and I’ve actually booked a massage. I hope I find at least some relief like you have. Good luck I hope you get sorted with ENT soon xx