Treatment of Vertigo With Acupuncture

Abstract

Background:

Vertigo, a presumptive diagnosis, is a symptom of diseases in the internal ear and is especially common in labyrinthic disease or inflammation. Several other etiologies may induce vertigo.

Objective:

To determine if medical acupuncture would alleviate vertigo.

Design, Setting, and Patient:

A retrospective case review of 1 adult female patient.

Intervention:

Five treatment sessions: every other day for 4 treatments, and 1 week later for the last treatment. Treatment consisted of needling 16 acupuncture points, based on the specific alteration according to Chinese syndromes. Needles were placed bilaterally and De Qi was obtained. The most frequently used points were LR 3, GB 43, and GB 34 for dispersing the Liver; SP 6, SP 9, and ST 36 for tonifying the Spleen and Stomach; GB 2, SI 19, and TH 17 as local points for helping to release the stagnation in the Meridians.

Main Outcome Measure:

Subjective symptom improvement and objective assessment of existence of nystagmus and vertigo after head movement.

Results:

The patient reported significant symptom improvement after the first session. After the second session, she reported complete cessation of vertigo. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was still symptom-free.

Conclusions:

This case report suggests that acupuncture could be an initial alternative therapy for vertigo. Further clinical and laboratory research should be performed to confirm this finding and to determine the physiologic basis of the harmonizing effect on the labyrinthic system.