Doctors Twitter, Google and TikTok They have become the most sought-after medical team when we have doubts about a symptom or simple treatments that do not require drugs. The problem is that, on many occasions, behind them there is usually not a real doctor, so they can contribute more harm than good. One of the latest treatments that are circulating on the net is a curious trick to deal with the tinnitus
It is about small finger taps at the base of the skull. Supposedly, if done right, that characteristic ringing in the ears that tinnitus causes goes away immediately. But is this true?
To answer this question, we must first remember something important: tinnitus not a disease, but a symptom. This means that it is usually the result of a wide variety of conditions, so it will not always be solved in the same way. For example, it may be due to hormonal changes. But also to tumors, hearing problems or pathologies such as Ménière’s disease. In each case the treatment will be different. In some very specific ones, this Internet trick can work, it is true, but it will always be much more useful to go to a doctor to locate the source of the problem.
What is tinnitus?
Before talking about solutions, it is important know the problem. Tinnitus is a ringing, ringing, or hissing sound that can be heard in one or both ears, with different frequencies and intensities.
Does not necessarily affect hearing, although it does it can be a notice of the loss of it, especially in older people. On the other hand, it is not usually serious, although that permanent hissing can end up causing problems with anxiety and depression who suffers from it. It is clear that you have to look for solutions, but the internet is not the best place to find them.
The curious internet trick
Lately, a curious manual trick to avoid tinnitus has gone viral on the internet. This consists of placing the palms of the hands over the ears, with the tips of the fingers back, resting on the base of the skull. Once in that position, you must click repeatedly the index finger on the heartcausing a slight pounding on the nape Numerous people on the internet claim that in this way the beeps disappeared, if not permanently, at least for a while. Now, does this make sense?
In an analysis of this trick published in IFLScience, remember that tinnitus may be due to increased muscle tension in the zone of jaw and neck. In that case, yes, it could work. And it is that when hitting a muscle it initially contracts, but if it continues to be done repeatedly it finally ends up exhausting the muscle. gas you need to contract and totally relaxes.
This could be a solution, yes. But first of all it would have to be done correctly, hitting the right muscle, and secondly we should be sure that the tinnitus is due to muscle tension. If it has any other origin it won’t do any good.
So what should we do?
If we feel an isolated ringing in the ears at some point, it should not be a cause for concern. But if this remains constant and it comes back very recurrently, the logical thing is to seek medical help. A specialist will know what tests to do to diagnose where this symptom is coming from.
At this point, you can opt for different types of treatment. One of the most curious is the use of devices that insert a pleasant sound that hides the ringing of tinnitus. It doesn’t eliminate it, but at least it helps keep the brain from focusing on it. In this way, the discomfort, anxiety and stress involved would be reduced, but the source of the problem would not be cured.
In short, there are many factors that we must take into account. Internet solutions are always simple because they do not take this variety into account. That is why, before following them at face value, it is worth valuing real medicine, beyond the screens.