Vertigo is the second most common complaint heard in many doctors’ offices. And according to the National Institute of Health Statistics, Vertigo will occur in close to 70 percent of nation’s population at some point in their lives.
Chronic Vertigo may result in serious health complications and limit the victim’s everyday living.
The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment options for Vertigo have become more effective over the past decade. One of the treatment options that has been giving hope to many individuals who thought that there would be no relief for the condition is Acupressure.
So, can you rely on Acupressure as a treatment solution for Vertigo?
Before we answer this question, let’s first understand what Acupressure and Vertigo are:
Vertigo
Vertigo is a chronic sensation that is best described as a feeling of uncontrollable spinning and even loss of balance. It is commonly caused by problems of the inner ear and can impact balance, leading to repeated dizzy spells. In severe cases, it can trigger headaches, vomiting, and nausea.
Acupressure
Acupressure incorporates the same Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts as acupuncture but it is done using physical touch (instead of needles) to restore balance throughout the patient’s body, which in the end eradicate illness and pain caused by energy imbalance.
Applying pressure on different points of the body is believed to release tension, clears the energy pathways, and restores optimal functioning of the vital organs of the body.
Acupressure against Vertigo
While antibiotics and other over-the-counter medications are often prescribed to address inflammation and infection associated with Vertigo, acupressure has been proven to provide significant relief for many patients.
Acupressure is believed to stimulate the body’s nervous system as well as the release of important neurochemical messenger molecules. This results in biochemical changes in the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, which promotes physical and emotional well-being.
Additionally, acupressure stimulates certain pressure points which have been shown to affect certain parts of the brain responsible for lowering sensitivity to stress and pain.
Acupressure may also relieve Vertigo by:
- Increasing neuropeptide Y and endorphin levels, which can help fight negative affective states
- Reducing inflammation by stimulating the release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors
- Stimulating muscle nerves and other tissues, leading to the release of endorphins and other important neurohumoral factors as well as changes in pain sensation processing in the brain and spinal cord
- Promoting local microcirculation, which enhances dispersal of swelling
- Increasing the velocity of blood flow in the vertebral-basilar artery, relieving cervical vertigo symptoms.
Summary
Acupressure can be used to treat Vertigo. It not only treats different energy fields in the body but also preserves the mind, emotions, and spirit. However, like other treatment options, acupressure has some risks.
For instance, the treatment is not appropriate for people with hypertension or who are on anti-hypertensive medications since it may lower blood pressure.
Additionally, acupressure is not recommended for pregnant women or people with heart conditions. What’s more, pressure points that lie under a varicose vein, warts, moles, or breaks in the skin should be avoided.