Reach a sense of control using alternative therapies

Complementary therapies - also known as alternative therapies - are now widely accepted and used by many people. Complementary practitioners aim to treat you holistically - working with you as a whole person. As well as treating the symptoms of your condition, they will ask you about your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing to find out how these are affecting your health.
Complementary therapies may help you relax and get to sleep more easily. This in turn can help reduce stress, which may help your tinnitus. This is because there is a strong link between tinnitus and stress. Muscle tension, anxiety and irritability that result from stress can make your tinnitus worse, which can in turn lead to an increase in stress - a vicious cycle. See our factsheets Tinnitus and relaxation and Tinnitus and sleep for more information.
Many practitioners of complementary therapies spend time talking to you about your symptoms and your tinnitus and aim to build a good relationship with you. This can have a positive affect in itself, as talking about your tinnitus to a sympathetic listener is often therapeutic. Overall, you may gain a sense of control over your tinnitus.