The crux of the matter is whether or not something is true or not true
regardless it is an eastern or western theory.

During the onset of my t, I took some med which was meant to strengthen
my kidney.  The med produced a quiet day but raised my blood pressure.
However, some kind of relationship, be it correlational or causal, was
there.

The problem is in knowing that the kidney is OK.  That is where eastern
and western medical theories differ.  Someone who has just experienced
an emotional turmoil may have suffered damage in his kidney but
whatever damage there is cannot be detected by modern scientific
instruments.

Murray, francis is referring to the yin and yang of chinese medicine
which is totally different from modern medicine in relation to
the kidney's assoc with tinnitus. Whereas modern medicine relates
kidneys problems to an actual pathology/dysfunction, chinese
medicine relates kidney disharmonies/Yin and Yang deficiencies.

Below is a cite I found that explains it a little further:

From: Paul Iannone <p_iannone.POP.COM>

""> I would like to offer this passage from Between Heaven and Earth: A
Guide to Chinese Medicine by Beinfield and Korngold (pg. 125) "With a
deficiency if Kidney Yang, the person feels cold and is cold to the
touch, and symptoms manifest such as diarrhea, frequent or incontinent
urine, infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation, loss of hearing,
*ringing in the ears*, dizziness from fatigue, and weakness and pain in
the knees, lower legs, and low back."

The word for tinnitis in Chinese is Er3 Ming3, or 'ear chirping.' Ming3
refers to bird or insect noise, so 'ear buzzing' is an alternative
translation.

Kidney Yang deficiency was NOT indicated in this particular case as I
recall. The 'ringing' present in a case of KY Deficiency (and Fallen
Spleen Qi) will be a low-pitched (and booming if associated with Damp
accumulation), with inability of the Clear Yang to reach the ear (which
causes a general hearing loss). Qi Xu Er Ming, or Qi Deficient tinnitis
will be low-pitched and continuous, like the chirping of a cricket. The
patient will be exhausted, and depressed (not excitedly complaining
about the noise).

High-pitched ringing relates to YIN or Essence Deficiency Heat, Phlegm
Heat, or Liver Heat. It is a type of Internal Wind-Heat--like steam
whistling from a teapot. It is for this reason that Gallbladder Channel
points, with the GB's predilection to Heat, are very commonly indicated
for tinnitis. This sort of tinnitis is often only associated with loss
of the ability to hear voices clearly (there is Something in the way,
namely Heat or Wind). This is sometimes called 'Qi Block.' I suspect
some sort of Qi Block in this case, and don't particularly believe the
hearing has been damaged just because that's what the doctors say.

The one additional type of ear ringing is the occasional ringing ear
that all people get from time to time. This is always associated with
inactivity, and is a form of mild Wind due to Qi Stagnation, and
doesn't point to a Pathology. Remember that these are very small bones
buzzing, so even tiny amounts of Wind will ring them like chimes.

From: Paul Iannone <p_iannone.POP.COM>

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a complex term that should be understood
essentially as a condition in which the Warming nature of the body has
been harmed by Depletion. This Fire is Stored in the Kidney region, and
is what keeps us alive. When Kidney Yang wanes entirely, death occurs.
Disharmonies in the Kidneys CAN cause ear complaints, since the
'Kidneys come out at the ears.' Black ears, for example, signal pending
death in terminal illnesses (Kidney Yang Collapse).

Even though this is so, it is not possible to simply gobble a bunch of
Kidney Yang Replenishing herbals to extend life. To do so can Damage
Yin, which is equally problematic for continued existence. In fact,
most Americans are tending toward Depletion of Yin, NOT Yang, and
certainly the incidence of Yang Deficiency in the young is uncommon
(youth is usually the time of Yang).

In a healthy society, Depletion from daily living rarely taps the
Kidneys at all. People living balanced lives Deplete their Qi and Blood
through their activities, which are primarily replenished by rest and
food (respectively). Chronic Depletion, however, forces the Reserve
Energy System ('Kidneys') to produce Qi and Blood directly--which is
very Draining to that Reserve.

While it is true that Depletion of Kidney Yang produces tinnitis, it is
of quite different sort than that caused by Heat (such as an
infection). To treat Hot-type tinnitis with Heating therapies or Kidney
Yang Boosting herbals would cause FURTHER DAMAGE to both the ears and
the Kidney Yin, which is often harmed in severe Heat Attacks.

The bottom line is that if you don't know if you are Kidney Yang
Depleted (by diagnosis of a qualified party) DON'T take that category
of herbals. You will just make your problems bigger. And if you don't
know what characterizes an illness pattern don't just turn to a
reference work from a tradition you haven't entirely internalized.""
End quote.

An interesting stat to find would be the incidence of tinnitus in
the eastern world vs the west. If chinese medicine was indeed so
successful in treating/curing tinnitus the rate of "t" would be
non-existent in the east. My guess is that the incidence of tinnitus
is pretty much the same in Asia as in the west.

frank