Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Treat Vertigo, Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Acupuncture coupled with Chinese herbs are very effective treatments for people who suffer from Vertigo, dizziness and lightheadedness. In the 19 years that Dr. Feng Liang has practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in New York City, she has successfully helped many patients who walked into her office with dizziness, lightheadedness, or Vertigo symptoms. Possible underlying conditions were ruled out including brain tumor and Acoustic neuroma (a type of tumor on the nerve tissue of the ear), or injury to head or neck. These patients typically already obtained medical assistance include examinations, diagnosis, medicine, home self-care, physical therapy, and the Epley maneuver. No matter what the treatments, they were unable to resolve the symptoms. Once they become my patient, they found out that their symptoms diminished quickly and it rarely comes back.

What is the secret of treating vertigo or lightheadedness or dizziness in traditional Chinese medicine? How long it will take to resolve these conditions?

I would like to give you some common knowledge of dizziness/lightheadedness and vertigo.

Dizziness and vertigo are common medical issues that can affect appropriately 20% to 30% of the general population. It can occur at any age and is about 2 to 3 times higher in women than men.

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation with loss of balance. There are three types of vertigo. The first type is called “subjective vertigo”. You feel as if you are moving. The second type is called “objective vertigo”. You have the sensation that your surroundings are moving. The third type is called “pseudovertigo”. This is where you have the sensation of spinning inside of your head. Lightheadedness and dizziness are the feelings that a person might faint.

Vertigo can be caused by many problems in our body.

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium particles clump up in the inner ear canals. This will affect the inner ear and sends signals to the brain which is responsible to keep our body’s balance. It starts with a sudden head movement or moving the head in a certain direction. This type of vertigo can be treated by the Epley maneuver (80% success).
2. Labyrinthitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the inner ear. It can be treated by antibiotics and antiviral medicine. Chinese medicine is very efficient for treating this type of vertigo.
3. Ménière’s disease is an ailment that manifests itself with ringing in the ear or hearing loss. Symptoms come and go. Chinese medicine is very efficient for treating this type of vertigo.
4. Acoustic neuroma is a type of tumor of the inner ear nerve tissues. This manifests itself with one side of ear ringing and hearing loss. This type of vertigo can be treated by surgery.
5. Head trauma and neck injury. CT scan and MRI is required. The symptoms may fade off after a period of time. When it becomes chronic, Chinese medicine will help.
6. Migraines may also cause vertigo. Vertigo appears after severe headache. The symptoms come and go. Chinese medicine is very efficient for treating this type of vertigo.
7. Complications from diabetes can cause arteriosclerosis which can lower the blood flow to the brain and lead to vertigo. Chinese medicine will help this type of vertigo.
8. Nonspecific reason to be found. This type of vertigo or dizziness is very common among my patients and it seems no one knows how to help them. I usually can help them with Chinese medicine.

Dizziness /lightheadedness can be a symptom of some health issues:

• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Cervical spinal degenerative disease – abnormal bone growth compressing the cervical spine artery
• Arteriosclerosis on cervical spine artery
• Anemia
• Heart disease

Any sign and symptoms of vertigo and dizziness/lightheadedness should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out rare, potentially serious and life threatening disease.

How does Chinese medicine recognize Vertigo or dizziness/lightheadedness?

There are a few reasons that can cause vertigo or dizziness in terms of traditional Chinese medicine:

• Mucus toxin
• Deficiency of blood
• Weakness of spleen yang qi
• Liver fire ascending
• Weakness of kidney essence

Treatments include acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedy.

There are certain acupuncture points that function like magic switches in our body. Once I stimulate them with acupuncture needles, the healing power will take immediate effect. That is why most of my patients will feel relief of their symptoms in a very short of time. Some will even find relief after their first treatment.

A Chinese remedy I have can assist my acupuncture work for treating vertigo and dizziness. This remedy will remove a patient’s feeling of vertigo or dizziness in one or two weeks.

Once vertigo and dizziness have disappeared, I will suggest that the patient take few more weeks of treatments to balance the internal organ’s energy, remove the toxins from the body, and keep their health in top condition.

In terms of self-healing, to prevent toxins from being created internally, you can address this through diet. Please go to my Blog section to read the article I wrote about Candida and eat according to Eastern philosophy.

There are many different diets available to us (diet refers to how you eat and the foods you eat vs. attempting to lose weight). If you think any particular diet make sense to you, try it. If it has a negative effect on your health, I will help you to modify your diet.

If you suffer from vertigo, dizziness, or lightheadedness, and have not had good results treating these with other medical approaches, please do not heisted to call me at (212) 779-0468, I am here to help you.

By Feng Liang, L.Ac.