Over the years I’ve seen a whole host of migraine coaching clients who have problems with their ears – these issues range from a mild ache, to intermittent tinnitus, to more severe bouts of constant tinnitus and/or vertigo. One of my clients was even deaf in one ear, and was diagnosed with Raynaud’s. And, most migraineurs also have sensory processing challenges – feeling easily overwhelmed by noises in their environment.
I once suffered from tinnitus and sensory overwhelm from noises too – but all of that went away along with the migraines when I healed them using mineral balancing (see my Repattern Migraine Masterclass to learn how I did it).
I believe that the spectrum of ear-related issues in migraineurs is caused by a few different factors:
- congested lymphatic flow
- compromised nerve conduction caused by lymphatic congestion
- compromised kidney function
- a-symmetrical midline throughout the body
Let’s dive into each of these areas separately (eventhough the body is one single whole).
Congested Lymphatic Flow
Roughly one third of all the lymph nodes in the human body are above the collarbone, designed to help the precious brain remain free from lymphatic waste and buildup. The lymphatic vessels course through every area of the body, with the glypmhatic vessels deeper in the brain.
Over the course of a year the glymphatic system will remove about the equivalent weight of the brain in metabolic waste – if thy lymphatic system is working efficiently. If there is tension in the muscles of the neck or lymphatic congestion in the lymph nodes of the face, ears, jaw and neck, everything will get backed up in the brain as well, contributing to migraine. Conversely, lymphatic backup will cause tension in neck muscles.
I believe that other problems in the face, such as the TMJ and deviated septum that many migraineurs also suffer from, can also be caused in part by lymphatic congestion (and midline abnormalities discussed below).
Compromised Nerve Conduction Caused by Lymphatic Congestion
To the extent that there is lymphatic congestion in the head and neck, cranial nerves can and will get trapped or compressed within the swollen environment of inflammation caused by that congestion. Not only will blood not flow as readily away from the ears to remove metabolic waste, but the auditory nerve may get activated, leading to tinnitus or vertigo.
Mineral imbalances in the body can also lead to accumulations of calcium deposits in the ears that interfere with proper nerve conduction and balance.
Many migraineurs only get tinnitus during a migraine. Tinnitus is commonly associated with migraine. It makes sense that the conditions leading to the migraine (swelling, inflammation, lymph congestion) would also impact the auditory nerve, leading to ringing during the attack. Some people have even alleviated tinnitus with lymphatic massage.
Compromised Kidney Function
In Chinese Medicine, the ears and kidneys are seen as intimately connected:
“The ears are the opening orifices of the kidney and are nourished by kidney essence and qi (energy), which are associated with hearing sensitivity. If the kidney essence is full and well-nourished, the hearing will be sensitive, and the resolution will be high. In contrast, in kidney essence deficiency, the marrow lacks nourishment, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus. With an increase in age, kidney qi and essence are gradually insufficient, leading to malnourishment of the ears and subsequently, hearing loss (source).”
Kidney function is largely overlooked in the public discourse on migraine. However, according to one study, “The incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was higher in the migraine group than in the control group. The risk of developing CKD was significantly higher in subjects with migraine than without migraine (source).”
Given that the kidneys help our bodies to maintain mineral balance, electrolyte balance, hydration, blood pressure, and the pH of our bodies, it’s not surprising that migraineurs would have something going on with their kidneys.
When you also consider the sheer amount of pain medications they use, many of which compromise kidney function, it becomes even less surprising that migraineurs may have overlooked kidney disease.
Fluoride is present in 1/3 of all medications, and does enormous harm to the kidneys. This is largely unrecognized. Please read my many articles on fluoride (here and here) to learn more).
A-symmetrical Midline Throughout the Body
Ringing in one ear, or pain in one ear, may be caused in part by postural and structural imbalances in the person’s body, some of which can be traced all the way back to the way that their midline formed as a fetus in utero. The mineral environment of the mother’s womb has a direct effect on how well this midline forms. Minerals like manganese have been shown to play a role in the development of scoliosis, and are also likely implicated in hypermobility, and asymmetries like TMJ and deviated septum that many migraineurs have.
Although not all people with migraines have scoliosis, those with scoliosis have an increased risk of headaches because of the way that a twisted spine will affect innervation all through the body, not only to the brain but to the major organs of the body, affecting overall function.
Mineral imbalances can also contribute to TMJ and loose joints because minerals have a direct impact on the strength of ligaments and tendons. When ligaments and tendons are loose, the immobility can lead to nerve impaction.
What to do?
As I mentioned, my own tinnitus and sensory processing challenges cleared up when I healed my migraines using mineral balancing.
Why and how can mineral balancing heal lymphatic congestion? Well, it goes back in part to supporting the liver. The liver is like a big lymph node. It cleans the blood. When the blood is not neutralized of toxins for excretion, those toxins build up in the lymphatic system. If, on top of that, your kidneys are also compromised, they will not efficiently eliminate the acidic metabolic waste products either, leading to dirty blood again, overloading the liver and lymphatic system in an endless feedback loop.
At that point, you’re living in a mild state of sepsis, and it’s not very fun.
So, you can heal your lymphatic system by supporting your liver and kidneys with mineral balancing. There are other ways to support lymphatic flow as well, which I go over in the Repattern Migraine coursework.
