Yoga Poses that Help Reduce Tinnitus Symptoms

By Barry Keate
Barry Keate, has lived with tinnitus over 40 years and has published 150+ research articles on numerous aspects of tinnitus. He is an expert on the condition and a well-known advocate for those with tinnitus.

(AndiP/Pixabay)

Researchers have studied the effects of yoga on the body, and the consensus is that yoga has many health benefits, including lowering stress, improving circulation of blood and lymphatics, increasing oxygenation, eliminating toxins, improving the immune system, and fostering flexibility and range of motion. While the mechanism behind these health benefits may not be entirely clear, many individuals choose to incorporate it into their lives as a way to boost their health and wellness.

Does this mean that yoga has the potential to affect tinnitus? Are there yoga poses that are particularly beneficial? Is yoga a cure for tinnitus or reduce tinnitus symptoms?

Let’s start at the beginning and explore how yoga can be a part of your tinnitus journey.

Can Yoga Help Mitigate the Causes of Tinnitus?

That ringing, buzzing, clicking, or rushing sound in your ears can have many causes. Tinnitus is usually a symptom of another condition. Yoga may not be able to help resolve all the possible causes of tinnitus, but in some cases, there is great hope. Some of the causes that yoga can help include:

• Toxin exposure: Lymph, the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, helps to detoxify the body. By improving lymph circulation, you are encouraging your body to rid itself of toxins that cause tinnitus and other nerve disorders.
• Ear, nose, or throat infection: Swelling due to infection causes pressure that can interfere with or damage ear function. The lymphatic system also circulates white blood cells that fight off infection and disease and reduce swelling.
• Tension in head and neck muscles: Tension in the muscles surrounding the ear can cause tinnitus symptoms. Learning to relax these muscles can stop tension-related tinnitus.
• Insomnia: Tinnitus causes sleeplessness. Sleeplessness worsens tinnitus. It is easy to get into a negative feedback loop that makes it hard to function. Yoga can lessen symptoms and help your body relax prior to sleep so you can get the rest you need.
• Stress: High sustained stress levels can cause tinnitus. Learning to bring the body out of fight or flight to a more neutral state can relieve symptoms.

Are There Yoga Poses That Give Tinnitus Relief?

There are poses that increase blood flow to the head, drain your sinuses, and supply affected areas with increased oxygen, white blood cells, and lymph. Any pose that makes the blood rush to your head is helpful. You may even feel your ears pop as you release pressure. Some easy poses for beginners include:

Downward Dog:

1. Get on your hands and knees with your arms and legs directly under the shoulders and hips.
2. Turn your toes under and lift your hind end till you form an inverted V. Press down through the heels.
3. Lengthen the spine, press your hips back, and keep the neck loose.
4. Hold for several seconds, then return to your hands and knees.
5. Do this several times to maximize the stretch.

Triangle Pose:

1. Spread your feet wide.
2. Hold your arms out to your sides with the palms facing down.
3. Look to your left.
4. Turn the left foot out so it’s in line with your arm.
5. Bend to your left and look up at your right hand.
6. Try to keep your shoulders perpendicular to the floor and your chest open.
7. Hold for several seconds, then switch sides.
8. Repeat several times.

Forward Bend:

1. Feet should both face forward.
2. Raise your arms and stretch upward to lengthen the spine.
3. Slowly bend at the hips forward until you hang.

The goal is to touch your forehead to your shins. If this seems impossible, don’t worry; flexibility comes with practice. Go as far as you can without forcing it, and touch your knees, shins, ankles, and toes, or lay your hands flat on the ground.

Restorative poses that encourage relaxation and don’t require balance could include:

Child’s Pose:

1. Kneel, then sit back on your heels.
2. Stretch forward with your arms, resting your forehead on the mat or carpet.
3. Just focus on slow, even breaths.
4. Relax all the muscles of the face. If your knees are uncomfortable, you can put a folded towel between your heels and seat.

You can also put a pillow between your arms and rest your head on the pillow rather than the floor.

Corpse Pose: The easiest of all yoga poses;

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Let your feet fall.
3. Let your arms lie with the palms of your hands face up.
4. Focus on deep breaths and relaxing the muscles of the face and neck.

Few people realize how tense their face is until they use progressive relaxation techniques. Relax the inner corner of your eye, the skin at your temples, the jaw, etc.

Does Yoga Cure Tinnitus?

The cure depends on the underlying cause. If stress is the only cause, then relieving stress will do wonders. Deep relaxation will, however, help you manage symptoms better regardless of the cause.

How Do You Maximize Yoga’s Benefits?

• Nutrition: Tinnitus can be caused by vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin supplements for tinnitus include B12 and Zinc.
• Herbs: An herbal remedy for tinnitus is high-grade ginkgo biloba, which helps with nerve conductivity and regeneration.
• Hydration: If you’re moving toxins through your system with the lymph, you want to hydrate and flush them out of your body.

Wrap Up

Tinnitus is a complex problem because there are so many possible contributing factors. However, deep relaxation techniques such as yoga are an excellent tool to add to any other treatment protocol. If you have any physical limitations, get the advice of a doctor before beginning any strenuous exercise program. Listen to your body, and be gentle with yourself.