Research Progress in the Treatment of Tinnitus with External Therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Abstract

Tinnitus is a subjective auditory symptom that affects hearing and mental health. Based on the holistic concept and the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can implement interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, auricular point pressing, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), and Five-Tone Therapy to treat tinnitus by dredging meridians and collaterals, regulating visceral functions, and balancing yin and yang. Although external therapies of TCM are relatively widespread in clinical practice, more high-quality studies are still needed to verify their effectiveness and safety, thereby promoting the development of an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment model. This study systematically analyzes and summarizes the research progress in the field of tinnitus treatment with external therapies of TCM over the past five years, aiming to provide clinicians with effective diagnosis and treatment plans and offer patients more diversified treatment options.

Keywords

Tinnitus

External therapies of traditional Chinese medicine

Acupuncture

Moxibustion

Auricular point pressing

Tuina

Five-Tone Therapy

Funding

Discipline Construction of Pudong New Area Health Commission — Key Specialties (Project No.: PWZzk2022-06); Construction of the “National Pilot Zone for Comprehensive Reform of Traditional Chinese Medicine Development” in Pudong New Area – Advanced Talent Training in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Project No.: PDZY-2024-07-04).

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