Tinnitus care · Murray Hill, NYC
Craniosacral Therapy for Tinnitus in NYC
The ringing starts the moment the room gets quiet. Or it's a constant buzz, hiss, or hum that never fully goes away. You may have seen a doctor, had a hearing test, and been told to "learn to live with it."
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C., is a Certified Craniosacral Therapist and a licensed chiropractor since 2000. At his office in Murray Hill, he uses gentle craniosacral therapy (CST). He helps people whose tinnitus seems tied to stress or to tension in the neck, jaw, and shoulders.
CST is not a cure for tinnitus. It is a calm, hands-on approach that may help some people feel less bothered by persistent noise.
When to See a Doctor First
Some kinds of ringing need a medical check right away. Please see a doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist before booking with us if you have:
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Ringing in only one ear that is new or getting worse
- A whooshing or thumping sound that beats with your pulse
- Severe dizziness or trouble walking
- Ear pain or drainage
- New weakness or numbness on one side of the body (call 911)
Sudden hearing loss can't wait, so please get care right away. Once a doctor has ruled out a medical cause, gentle hands-on care may be worth trying next.
Tinnitus That Changes With the Neck or Jaw
Some people notice the sound gets louder or softer when they clench their teeth, turn their head, or press on their neck. Researchers call this somatic tinnitus. A 2016 research review described it in 36 to 43 percent of people with ringing that only they can hear.
The same review found that treating the neck or jaw lowered symptoms in some studies. But it also noted those studies had a high risk of bias. The evidence is still early, and CST itself has not been studied for this.
Signs the ringing may have a neck or jaw link:
- It started around the same time as neck pain, jaw pain, or a head injury
- It changes when you move your jaw, head, or eyes
- You grind or clench your teeth
- It gets worse during stressful weeks or after long hours at a desk
If several of these sound familiar, ask about TMJ care or chronic neck pain treatment as part of your plan.
How Dr. Kaminsky Approaches Tinnitus
Calming a stressed nervous system
In Dr. Kaminsky's view, many people with ongoing ringing are stuck in a stressed, "on alert" state. That can make the noise feel louder and harder to ignore. CST uses very light touch, about the weight of a nickel, to help the body settle. Sessions are quiet and calm. This connects to his work on nervous system regulation and stress and tension.
Easing neck, jaw, and shoulder tension
Dr. Kaminsky also works gently with the muscles and connective tissue of the neck, jaw, and upper back. When tension there eases, some people find the ringing bothers them less during the day. There is no cracking or twisting.
Building a plan over time
Ringing that has lasted months or years rarely changes after one visit. In Dr. Kaminsky's experience, long-term ringing usually needs more than five or six sessions. He will suggest a series of sessions and check your progress along the way. Every person responds differently, and results are not guaranteed.
A New York City Note on Noise
City life is loud, and research backs that up. A 2009 study by the University of Washington and Columbia University found that NYC subways had the highest average noise of all the city's mass transit. One subway platform reading hit 102 decibels. Loud noise is a common cause of ear ringing. If you ride the subway every day, earplugs on the platform are a cheap, simple way to protect your hearing.
What to Expect at Your Visit
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1HistoryDr. Kaminsky asks when the ringing started, what makes it better or worse, and whether you've already had a hearing test. Bring any ENT or audiology reports you have. Here's more on what happens at a first visit.
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2Gentle hands-on careYou stay fully clothed and lie comfortably on a padded table while light-touch CST focuses on the head, neck, jaw, and sacrum.
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3Next stepsAfterward, you'll talk about how you felt and how often to come back. CST can be combined with hearing aids, sound therapy, tinnitus retraining, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or care from your audiologist.
Why People Choose Dr. Kaminsky
- No forceful neck or jaw work: Care is slow and gentle, with no cracking or twisting.
- Two kinds of training: He is a chiropractor and a Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-T, Upledger).
- Evening hours: Monday to Thursday until 9 pm, and Friday until 6 pm, at 36 East 36th Street in Murray Hill.
Read more about Dr. Kaminsky's training and background, or see related care for balance and dizziness.
Cost and Payment
The office does not take insurance. You'll get an itemized superbill for possible out-of-network refunds. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. See current rates on our cost page.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can craniosacral therapy cure tinnitus?
No. There is no known cure for most cases. CST aims to calm the nervous system and ease tension in the head, neck, and jaw. Some people find the ringing bothers them less, but results vary.
Is there research on CST for tinnitus?
Not yet. Early research suggests neck and jaw treatment helped some people whose ringing changes with movement, but CST has not been studied on its own.
I've read that neck adjustments can make tinnitus worse. Is this different?
Some people in tinnitus forums describe flare-ups after forceful neck or jaw adjustments. Dr. Kaminsky does not use that kind of force. His care is light touch only, with no cracking or twisting. If your ringing changes after a session, let him know.
Why is the ringing louder at night?
A quiet room removes the background sound that usually covers it up, so the ringing stands out. A fan or soft background sound at bedtime may help.
Should I see an ENT first?
Yes, especially if the ringing is in one ear, beats with your pulse, or came with hearing loss or dizziness. Those need a medical exam.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how long you've had symptoms and what seems to drive them. In Dr. Kaminsky's experience, long-term ringing usually needs more than five or six sessions. He will suggest a plan after your first visit.
Do you have evening appointments?
Yes. Appointments run until 9 pm Monday through Thursday and until 6 pm on Friday. All visits are by appointment.
Schedule a visit
Call to Schedule
If ringing in your ears is wearing you down, call or text 212-328-1180 to talk with Dr. Kaminsky. Visits are by appointment at 36 East 36th Street in Murray Hill.