Qi-gong Practice for Ear Ringing
Ear ringing, or tinnitus, is a common experience among individuals dealing with anxiety and stress. During an anxious or stressful emotional state, the body’s “fight or flight” response is activated. This natural reaction places significant pressure on the nervous system, endocrine system, and blood flow, which can affect the inner ear and trigger ear ringing.
It is important to note that most cases of anxiety- or stress-induced ear ringing are temporary. Once the distressing mental state subsides, the ringing in the ears will resolve on its own. As a result, this type of ear ringing is generally not a cause for concern.
Qi-gong is a traditional practice that involves a combination of mind, breath, and body exercise based on Chinese philosophy. This mind-body practice can achieve many possible benefits, from enhancing systemic functioning to stress reduction to pain relief. TCM claims that regular practice enhances a better flow of qi (vital energy) inside the body, promotes internal balance and overall health.
For ear ringing, qi-gong practice improves qi flowing to the ears, strengthens organ functioning and reduces the tension inside the body. Since the effects of qi-gong practice vary from person to person, it is better for beginners to seek guidance from experienced qi-gong masters, let them help you identify your own health needs, and choose an appropriate form of qi gong, so as to achieve your goal as soon as possible.
Below are some qi-gong practices that are beneficial to ear ringing individuals.
I. Ear Qi-Gong
This form of qi-gong promotes meridians circulation and unblock the ear orifices.
- Preparation: keep a sitting or standing posture, close the eyes slightly, breathe naturally, clear all the thoughts, relax the whole body, and listen to the inner body.
- Beating the Heavenly Drum: cover the ears firmly with the palms and let all the fingers press on the back of the head; place the index fingers on the middle fingers and then allow the index fingers to slip down hardly and flick the back of head, this creates a rumbling sound inside the ears. Beat about 48 times.
- Press ear and direct qi: cover the ear holes tightly with the palms and then release quickly, repeat 10 times, this helps open the inner ear channel and relieve ear discomfort.
- Massage auricles: pinch and rub along the outer part of the auricles, from top to bottom 24 times, better create a warm feeling.
II. Midnight Ear Qi-Gong
When you experienced poor sleep, uneasy mood and ear ringing at night, it is suitable to practice below:
- Sit down comfortably and relax the body, stretch the arms as straight as possible towards both sides, tilt the head to left and then to right for 42 times.
- Close the mouth, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, let the air downward to the lower abdomen while pushing the belly outward fully; rest for 2 to 3 seconds, blow all the air out slowly through pursed lips, and let the belly inward as possible as you can.
- Softly tap the upper and lower teeth together 36 times, stir the tongue around the oral cavity until saliva fills the mouth, then swish until the saliva tastes sweet. After that, swallow the saliva slowly, imagining that the saliva is flowing down along the midline of the chest and reaching the lower abdomen.
- Make all the thoughts to focus on dan tian for 3 to 5 minutes; rub the hands warm, cover on the ears for a while; use the thumbs and index fingers to pinch and rub along the outer ears, from top to bottom for 9 times.
- Use the middle fingers to insert into the ear holes, then relieve quickly, repeat several times; or use the palms to cover the ears, then shake the ears. The two ways can activate the qi flowing inside the ears.
It is always a good idea to consult healthcare professionals if your ear ringing symptoms become significant distress, or your anxiety progresses and does not respond to home remedies. There are available treatments to help you manage ear ringing. Doctors can also solve other problems such as hearing loss, improper drug taking, and ear infections, that are common among individuals.
