Dizziness (Vertigo)

"Dizziness (Vertigo)" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for dizziness (vertigo).

Content Related to Dizziness (Vertigo)

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "dizziness (vertigo)" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "dizziness (vertigo)" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

Within TCM, "dizziness (vertigo)" is potentially related to one or more of the following diagnostic patterns: blood stagnation, kidney qi deficiency, liver fire, liver wind, and/or spleen qi deficiency.

The above patterns are common examples. In clinical situations, however, there are any number of other possibilities. Many times there will be a layered combination of patterns in an interwoven blend with their symptoms - some being the cause of an issue and the result of another issue. While initially complex, this is illustrative of the the web of relationships that Chinese Medicine is designed to approach.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To illustrate and guide developing an acupuncture treatment for someone experiencing dizziness (vertigo), this issue is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol section:

• View KD 3 (Great Ravine)
  
      In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the achilles tendon.
  
      Tonify KD Qi, Yin or Yang Deficiencies from any etiology. Asthma from KD Deficiency - difficulty inhaling. Tonifies Yin of KD (chronic sore throat, empty heat), LV (dizziness, tinnitus, headache) a/or HT (anxiety, insomnia, excessive dre…
• View SI 1 (Lesser Marsh)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the little finger.
  
      Breast disorders of any etiology, insufficient lactation, mastitis, breast abscess, cysts. Jing Well Point, clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, for eye redness, earache, tinnitus, sore throat, stiff tongue. Headache, dizzine…
• View SI 17 (Celestial Countenance)
  
      Posterior to the angle of the mandible in a depression on the anterior border of the SCM.
  
      Both SI 16 & SI 17 are Window of the Sky Points and are useful for throat distention, swelling, goiters, lumps in neck a/or throat. Chest oppression, wheezing, cough, asthma. Ear issues - tinnitus, deafness. Tong Ren/Tam Healing Sys…
• View ST 8 (Head Corner)
  
      Directly above ST 7, .5 cun within the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 cun lateral to the midline …
  
      Classically mentioned for "splitting headache; headache w/nausea/vomiting; headache w/eye pain (migraine)" - particularly for frontal headaches. Poor vision, twitching eyelids, eye pain, excessive tearing. Dizziness. Hair loss.
• View ST 9 (Man's Prognosis)
  
      Level with the tip of the Adam's Apple on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (where the pulse of …
  
      In ancient times the ST Qi was assessed by palpating the pulse here and at ST 42. Regulation of Blood Pressure - lowering high blood pressure. Headache, dizziness. Sore throat, counterflow qi (vomiting), coughing, hiccups. Acute lumbar…
• View ST 40 (Beautiful Bulge)
  
      8 cun below ST 35, one finger width lateral to ST 38, two finger widths lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.
  
      Empirical point to resolve phlegm in the body anywhere from any origin. Phlegm in the head - headaches, dizziness / vertigo, depression, poor concentration, stronger shen disturbances - mania. Phlegm in the body - chest oppression, breat…
• View ST 41 (Ravine Divide)
  
      On the midpoint of the transverse crease of the ankle, approximately level with the tip of the external malleolus, in a…
  
      Opposite end of channel issues (i.e. head/face) - swelling, headache, dizziness / vertigo. Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation. Can aid groundedness and focus - ADD/ADHD, mania, restlessness, palpitations, epilepsy. Local point for a…
• View UB 5 (Fifth Place)
  
      .5 cun behind UB 4 or 1 cun above the AHL and 1.5 cun lateral to the AML or 1.5 cun lateral to GV 23.
  
      Local point for headache and/or eye pain. Epilepsy, yang ascension issues (manic episodes, dizziness, etc.) Sinus congestion, stuffy head.
• View UB 8 (Declining Connection)
  
      1.5 cun posterior to UB 7 or 5.5 cun above the AHL and 1.5 cun lateral to the AML.
  
      Resolve phlegm and clear wind - nasal congestion, blurry vision, dizziness, tinnitus. Calms the shen - a range of psychological conditions including depression, mania, withdrawal from lack of ability of the shen to rise. Useful for remov…
• View UB 10 (Celestial Pillar)
  
      1.3 cun lateral to GV 15 in a depression or .5 cun above the PHL and 1.3 cun lateral to the PML on the lateral aspect o…
  
      Relieves pain - neck issues, stiffness, ROM, occipital headache. For stiffness on one-side of the neck combine with SI 3 on the same side & GB 39 on the opposite side.  Upper back pain and/or shoulder pain. Clears wind and relieves ex…