Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2026

Spring 2026 • 53

Massage Protocol to Help Tinnitus Always be sure your client has been cleared for massage by their primary care provider. For those clients with tinnitus who have been cleared for massage, this sample massage protocol may be helpful. Start by massaging the muscles in the neck and shoulders, including the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator scapulae and the suboccipitals. A study by Han and colleagues showed that releasing the tension in these areas may help ease tinnitus. 18 Ear Pulling • Place your thumbs inside the ear on the concha, right above the earlobe. • With your index finger behind client’s ear, pull down toward the shoulders for 30 seconds. • Then, place your thumbs inside the ear right above the pinna.

• Pull back toward you. • Pull the ears up toward the ceiling. • Lastly, pull the ears out and away from the skull. Stretching the Masseter • Start by the side of the ear near the maxillary and sink into the tissue, slowly stretch down toward the mandible. • Perform this several times to get a good deep stretch. Stretching Around the Ear This stretch works the anterior auricular muscle, masseter, posterior auricular muscle, superior auricular muscle and the temporalis. • Take your fingers and place them at opposite sides of the ear. • Next, sink into the tissue and slowly start performing opposing stretches of the muscles

Always be sure your client has been cleared for massage by their primary care provider.

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