ISSN: 2640-2734
Authors: Woods L*
Background: Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no acoustic source external to the ears. Zenner, et al. proposed conductive, sensorineural, and central as the generation sites for tinnitus. Although dry needling has been primarily suggested to treat pain, scholars have explored dry needling for its positive effects on inflammation and function. In this case study the clinician used dry needling under the premise that the patient’s tinnitus was of sensorineural origin due to cranial nerve V and cranial nerve VII inflammation. Case Presentation: A 48-year-old male with a chief complaint of left ear tinnitus. During examination, sensation, reflexes, range of motion, strength, and cranial nerve function were all noted at intact or functional with the exception of the left vestibular cochlear nerve. A novel dry needling protocol was created and resulted in an immediate resolution of left ear tinnitus. Although symptoms returned, full resolution of tinnitus was reported after five dry needling sessions. Discussion: Dry needling following an adapted Integrated Dry Needling® approach alleviated tinnitus after five sessions. The proposed mechanism for tinnitus resolution was cranial nerve V and cranial nerve VII dysfunction, which was decreased after each dry needling session. Limitations: The clinician did not assess the temporomandibular joint, control for diet or medications, and was unable to quantify the pathophysiological mechanism of resolution.
Keywords: Dry Needling; Tinnitus; Cranial Nerve V; Cranial Nerve Vii
