Vertigo is a debilitating condition that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. For the millions who suffer from it, finding an effective treatment is therefore of vital importance to improve daily function. There are various options available, however one of the safest and most effective vertigo treatments is acupuncture.
Vertigo is a spinning, whirling sensation that is felt due to poor balance and spatial sense. As a result, vertigo makes daily activities difficult to perform. Severe cases can even be include nausea or vomiting.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique of sticking thin needles into specifically chosen points on the body for healing. People have been using it for thousands of years in order to treat a wide range of health conditions. Furthermore, a growing number of studies have shown support for acupuncture’s value as a treatment for vertigo.
There are many different types of vertigo, each with its own unique aspects and root causes.
From a biomedical perspective, there are basically two main types of vertigo: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.
Peripheral Vertigo
Peripheral vertigo makes it difficult to maintain balance and spatial sense. Some common causes of peripheral vertigo include:
Central Vertigo
Central vertigo is caused by problems of the brain or central nervous system, and is due to more serious conditions. Therefore, it’s less common as peripheral vertigo. Causes of central vertigo include:
Chinese Medicine and Vertigo
Chinese medicine sees vertigo as the result of a disease in the body’s meridian network. There are several different disease patterns that cover both peripheral or central vertigo, including stagnation, weakness, hyperactivity, and pathogenic invasion. Chinese medicine can then accurately diagnose the root cause of a patient’s vertigo by associating each pattern with specific symptoms.
Acupuncture Treatment for Vertigo
From a biomedical perspective, acupuncture reduces vesitbular inflammation, improves blood flow to the brain, and also resets the nervous system. The symptoms of dizziness and nausea are therefore reduced as a result.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture helps to restore harmony and function to the body’s meridian systems. By targeting acupuncture points for specific patterns in particular, acupuncturists can effectively relieve and correct the symptoms of vertigo.
Research
Importantly, recent research has shown that acupuncture effectively treats peripheral as well as central vertigo conditions:
A study in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that acupuncture effectively reduced vertigo connected with Meniere’s disease.
In a study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, acupuncture effectively treated vertigo caused by cervical spondylosis.
Recently, the Journal of BMC Complimentary Medcicine and Therapies found that acupuncture reduced the severity and frequency of vertigo. In their study, researchers divided 60 patients with vertigo into two groups: one received acupuncture, the other received a placebo. The results showed that the acupuncture group had a significantly greater relief of their symptoms than the placebo group.
Treatments at Access Acupuncture
At Access Acupuncture, each patient goes through an intake to determine the root cause of their vertigo. Then, based on the diagnosis, the acupuncturist develops a personal acupuncture treatment plan to address the root issue.
This approach has proven to be highly effective in treating vertigo, as it addresses the root cause and symptoms simultaneously. Because of this, patients often report significant relief in their vertigo after just a few sessions. Furthermore, acupuncture has minimal side effects, making it a safe and natural treatment option compared to medication or other treatments.
Access Acupuncture is an excellent choice for those looking for a professional, experienced, and effective acupuncture clinic. Julie & Christian are committed to helping their patients achieve optimal health above all else. To sum up, don’t let vertigo control your life any longer – make an appointment with Access Acupuncture today.