ORIGINAL ARTICLE International Tinnitus Journal. 2012;17(1):73-76. Tinnitus of myofascial origin William S. Teachey1 Erik H. Wijtmans2 Frank Cardarelli3 Robert A. Levine4 Abstract Tinnitus in some instances is due to a primary muscle disorder: myofascial dysfunction of the muscles of the head and neck. Tinnitus of this origin can be diminished in some cases, and completely abolished in others, by appropriate treatment; this includes trigger point deactivation, specific exercises, and treatment of the underlying causes of the muscle dysfunction. Keywords: bruxism, injections, myofascial pain syndromes, otolaryngology, tinnitus. 1 MD College of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy - Old Dominion University - Norfolk, VA; Myopain Seminars - Bethesda, MD - AC - United States. E-mail:
[email protected] 2 PT, MTC, CMTPT, CGIMS College of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy - Old Dominion University - Norfolk, VA; Myopain Seminars - Bethesda, MD - AC - United States. E-mail:
[email protected] 3 LiAc Eaton-Peabody Laboratory - Massachusetts General Hospital - Boston, MA - United States. E-mail:
[email protected] 4 MD Eaton-Peabody Laboratory Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary - Massachusetts General Hospital - Boston, MA - United States. E-mail:
[email protected] Send correspondence to: William S. Teachey, MD 1020 Independence Blvd. Suite 313, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Paper submitted to the RBCMS-SGP (Publishing Management System) on July 15, 2012; and accepted on August 16, 2012. cod. 98. International Tinnitus Journal, Vol. 17, No 1 (2012) www.tinnitusjournal.com 70 17(1).indb 70 02/01/2013 13:41:06 INTRODUCTION 1. Tinnitus which has been present for a shorter period — e.g. under 2 years vs.