Name of treatment |
Osteopathy |
|
Type of treatment |
Alternative medicine. In the UK, osteopathy is a health profession regulated by UK law.[1] |
|
Claims for treatment |
Reduces/eliminates the tinnitus percept. |
|
How treatment is delivered |
Physical manipulation, stretching and massage. |
|
Potential negative consequences |
Generally regarded as safe[2] Cost – most people pay for osteopathy treatment privately. |
Evidence offered: |
|
|
Papers available |
< 10 in PubMed database. |
|
Conclusions drawn |
The very limited evidence suggests that osteopathic treatment may have greater effects in people with postural or somatic problems.[3] No benefit was seen in people with noise induced tinnitus.[4] |
|
Quality of evidence[5] |
A, C, E |
|
Does the BTA recommend this treatment? |
No. Osteopathy is not mentioned as a potential treatment in three current tinnitus guidelines.[6] [7] [8] |
|
BTA opinion on this treatment: |
Although independent evidence is very limited, what there is does not show that osteopathy is effective for tinnitus, although manual manipulations may be effective for somatic tinnitus.[9] Further research is required. |
|
Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment? |
Yes, if high quality study. |
|
Verdict: Safety – is this treatment harmful? |
|
|
Verdict: Efficacy – does this treatment work? |
|
Regarded as safeFor further information
The BTA Tinnitus Support Team can answer your questions on any tinnitus related topics:
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Web chat: – click on the icon
Email: [email protected]
Text/SMS: 07537 416841
We also offer a free tinnitus e-learning programme, Take on Tinnitus.
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Feedback
We welcome feedback on all our information. You can pass your comments to our Communications Team:
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Email: [email protected]
or by writing to us at the address below.
References
[1] NHS. Osteopathy. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/ [accessed 29 June 2022]
[2] NHS. Safety and regulation – Osteopathy. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/safety/ [accessed 29 June 2022]
[3] Amanda B, Manuela M, Antonia M, Claudio M, Gregorio B. Posturography measures and efficacy of different physical treatments in somatic tinnitus. International Tinnitus Journal. 2010;16(1):44-50.
[4] Mazzoli, M. (2011). Complementary Tinnitus Therapies. In: Møller, AR, Langguth, B, De Ridder, D, Kleinjung, T. (eds) Textbook of Tinnitus. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-145-5_92
[5] A = Systematic review/meta analysis. B = Randomised control studies. C = Cohort studies. D = Case control studies. E = case studies/reports. +/- to be used to indicate quality within bands
[6] Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014;151(2_suppl): S1-S40. doi:10.1177/0194599814545325
[7]Cima RFF, Mazurek B, Haider H. et al. A multidisciplinary European guideline for tinnitus: diagnostics, assessment, and treatment. HNO 67, 10–42 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-019-0633-7
[8] National Guideline Centre (UK). Tinnitus: assessment and management: NICE Guideline [NG155]. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK); 2020 Mar.
[9] Michiels S, Naessens S, Van de Heyning P, Braem M, Visscher CM, Gilles A, De Hertogh W. The Effect of Physical Therapy Treatment in Patients with Subjective Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2016 (10). DOI=10.3389/fnins.2016.00545
Author: Nic Wray
Version 2.0
Updated: 30 June 2022
To be reviewed: June 2025
