New vertigo dizziness acupuncture research finds acupuncture safe and effective. Subjective and objective measures showed significant positive patient outcomes in a 2015 investigation. Three measurement tools, the HRV (heart rate variability), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of dizziness and vertigo, show that acupuncture has an immediate and significant therapeutic effect.
Background
The researchers commented that while acupuncture has effectively treated dizziness and vertigo for thousands of years, little research has explored this clinical phenomenon. The goal of the study was to assess the safety and benefit of acupuncture in the treatment of dizziness and vertigo in the emergency department of a hospital.
Patients were enrolled from the emergency department at the Changhua Christian Hospital in Taiwan. All patients were screened by both an otolaryngologist and a neurologist. Inclusion criteria included dizziness, vertigo, vertebrobasilar artery syndrome, Ménière’s disease, and vestibular neuritis.
The Study
Patients were divided into two groups: acupuncture and control. Patients in the acupuncture group were treated with two acupoints, ST36 (Zusanli) and PC6 (Neiguan), with sterile, single-use needles. The needles were manually stimulated to achieve the de qi sensation. Needles were retained for 30 minutes. The control group received sham (fake) acupuncture.
Results
The study conclusively demonstrated that treatment with the acupuncture points PC6 and ST36 resulted in immediate reductions of discomfort and improvements of VAS for dizziness and vertigo. The researchers stated that the “study provided clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture to treat dizziness and vertigo in (the) emergency department.”
The Importance of Specific Acupuncture Points
PC6, located above the wrist, is indicated for the treatment of nausea, vomiting and dizziness. ST36, located below the knee, is appropriate for the treatment of stomach problems, weakness, bloating and accumulation of phlegm. Both of these points are critical for the effective treatment of dizziness and vertigo.
Heart Rate Variability
A heart rate monitor was used to measure heart rate variability. HRV is the variation in time between heart beats and measures the body’s ability to maintain control of the heart rate through vagus nerve activity. Earlier research, including Anderson et al., demonstrated that acupuncture improved heart rate variability.
In this current vertigo dizziness acupuncture research, HRV changes were documented because Ménière’s disease and other forms of dizziness and vertigo can be reflected in HRV values. This study documented acupuncture’s ability to benefit HRV values.
Vertigo Dizziness Acupuncture Research – Conclusion
This research demonstrated both subjective and objective evidence that acupuncture improved vertigo and dizziness in patients visiting the emergency department of a hospital in Taiwan. At Raleigh Acupuncture we have similar success treating vertigo and dizziness. We also use ST36 and PC6, in addition to other points, with great success.
Next Steps
If you are struggling with dizziness or vertigo, come in for acupuncture. BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online. Or call us at 919-819-8113 and we will schedule an appointment for you.
WATCH VIDEO DESCRIBING OUR VERTIGO TREATMENT.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR VERTIGO & DIZZINESS TREATMENT.
References
Chiu, Chih-Wen, Tsung-Chieh Lee, Po-Chi Hsu, Chia-Yun Chen, Shun-Chang Chang, John Y. Chiang, and Lun-Chien Lo. “Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for dizziness and vertigo in emergency department: a pilot cohort study.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine 15, no. 1 (2015): 173.
Acupuncture and heart rate variability: a systems level approach to understanding mechanism. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 12 (Suppl 1), P302. B Anderson, A Nielsen, B Kligler, and D McKee.
Kurono Y, Minagawa M, Ishigami T, Yamada A, Kakamu T, Hayano J. Auton Neurosci. Acupuncture to Danzhong but not to Zhongting increases the cardiac vagal component of heart rate variability. 2011 Apr 26;161(1-2):116-20. Epub 2011 Jan 7.
Newman-Toker DE, Cannon LM, Stofferahn ME, Rothman RE, Hsieh YH, Zee DS. Imprecision in patient reports of dizziness symptom quality: a cross- sectional study conducted in an acute care setting. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2007; 82(11):1329-1340.
What our Clients are Saying
I came back from a trip to the Caribbean with a terrible case of vertigo and nausea. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t work, couldn’t walk straight. I had this throbbing headache all day long. It was driving me crazy. I tried acupuncture and in three sessions was completely cured! I was so impressed that I had them treat my back pain next. I only wish insurance covered the treatments.
I was diagnosed with dizziness and put on a medicine that made me more dizzy! My chiropractor said it was from my neck, but the adjustments didn’t help. So I tried acupuncture. Every time I bent down I would get so dizzy that I fell over. The doctor at Raleigh Acupuncture didn’t treat my neck. He said he was treating my organs to balance them and correct my water levels. I don’t care what he called it – it stopped my dizziness! I can bend over now without dizziness and can function like a normal person. They also got rid of my toe pain at the same time!
I had vertigo and dizziness for years. I run my own small business and it was starting to really affect my work. I had difficulty driving, and was starting to get nervous about getting into an accident at work. My vertigo was like the room spinning around, and the only way to make it stop was to close my eyes and lie down. I was also burning up hot, but never had a fever. My cousin went to Raleigh Acupuncture so I gave it a try. They treated me with little needles and gave me chinese herbs. I’m not kidding, this stuff really works. My vertigo stopped happening for the first time in years, and I even stopped feeling so hot. I get small bouts of vertigo now and then, but usually just a single treatment gets me better. I also understand why I get vertigo and what I can do to prevent it coming on. They were really good explaining how it worked, in a way that totally makes sense to me. Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture.