How can acupuncture help with vertigo?

May 13, 2025

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How can acupuncture help with vertigo?

Acupuncture has been shown to effectively treat vertigo, particularly for vestibular conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or other forms of dizziness and imbalance. Acupuncture activates specific points on the body to balance the flow of Qi (energy) and promote healing of the body, physical as well as energetic blockages, which cause vertigo. Here’s how acupuncture can help get rid of vertigo:

1. Balancing the Inner Ear and Viscosity of Qi
Vertigo is traditionally explained in Chinese medicine as a result of imbalance in the flow of body Qi and circulation of blood, particularly in the area of the inner ear that regulates equilibrium. Equilibrium is achieved by Acupuncture by stimulating certain acupoints to increase the flow of Qi, blood, and fluid into the inner ear to eliminate dizziness and promote balance.

By treating meridians (energy channels) of the head, neck, and ears, acupuncture strives to reduce such symptoms as dizziness, nausea, and spinning.

2. Stimulation of the Vestibular System
Acupuncture has the potential to stimulate parts of the brain and nervous system that control balance and space orientation. This can heighten the vestibular system, which is tasked with keeping everything together, in order to eliminate bouts of vertigo.

Acupuncture has also been shown to stimulate the autonomic nervous system, which can be beneficial in reducing the physical symptoms of vertigo, such as nausea and imbalance.

3. Anti-Inflammation
Acupuncture is also able to reduce inflammation of the inner ear and its coverings. Meniere’s disease, for instance, is a disease in which the inner ear is inflamed, and acupuncture may assist in reducing inflammation and thus lowering the frequency of vertigo attacks.

4. Facilitating Circulation
Vertigo, especially in diseases like BPPV, could be connected to inadequate blood flow to the brain or the ear. Acupuncture has the tendency to enhance blood flow to the inner ear, to the brain, and to surrounding tissues, delivering greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients and finally boosting the body’s own natural healing processes.

5. Reducing Stress
Anxiety and stress are often associated with vertigo in most instances and can exacerbate symptoms. Acupuncture has been shown to help decrease stress levels by balancing the sympathetic nervous system (which controls the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism). By stimulating acupuncture points that have a calming effect on the body and mind, acupuncture may reduce overall burden of stress, potentially resulting in relief from vertigo symptoms.

6. Reducing Tension and Musculoskeletal Imbalances
Acupuncture can be targeted at areas of tension in the jaw and neck, which may cause vertigo or dizziness, especially in conditions like cervicogenic vertigo (neck disorder vertigo). Muscle tension in the jaw or neck can affect blood flow to the brain and inner ear, causing dizziness.

By relaxing muscular tension, acupuncture can improve overall body function, thus reducing the risk of vertigo.

7. Fluid Balance Control
In some cases of vertigo, especially those associated with Meniere’s disease, there is an imbalance of fluid in the inner ear. Acupuncture will balance fluid distribution and create normal fluid levels, thus reducing instances of vertigo caused by fluid retention.

8. Improving Sleep
Vertigo generally aggravates with periods of stress or insomnia, as inadequate rest could increase dizziness and loss of balance. Acupuncture can ensure improved sleep as a result of the soothing impact it produces on the nervous system, potentially reducing vertigo attacks due to stress or fatigue.

9. Vertigo Special Acupuncture Points
Common acupuncture points for treating vertigo are:

GV20 (Baihui): On the top of the head, this point is used to clear the head and promote mental clarity, which is helpful for the treatment of vertigo and dizziness.

LI4 (Hegu): On the hand, this point is helpful for reducing tension, pain, and stress, which can be indirectly helpful for vertigo.

PC6 (Neiguan): On the inner forearm, this point is traditionally used to treat nausea and dizziness.

ST36 (Zusanli): On the lower leg, it can help enhance energy and circulation, great for dizziness and overall vitality.

GB20 (Fengchi): On the base of the skull, it is commonly used for headache and neck ache, and dizziness.

10. Acupuncture for Long-Term Relief
Acupuncture works best as a continuing treatment. Instant relief of symptoms is occasionally felt following one or two sessions, but continued acupuncture treatment can help suppress vertigo attacks in the future. Maintaining regular sessions can restore balance, lower stress levels, and improve overall well-being.

11. Combination with Other Therapies
Acupuncture is also used in combination with other forms of treatment, including physical therapy (vestibular rehabilitation), diet modification, and medication, to provide an integrated treatment for vertigo.

How to Begin Acupuncture for Vertigo:
Meet with a licensed acupuncturist: It is essential to find a licensed acupuncturist who specializes in the treatment of vertigo and vestibular disorders.

Treatment frequency: Treatments can initially be scheduled 1-2 times a week, and frequency can be reduced as the symptoms improve. For long-standing vertigo, follow-up treatments may be recommended regularly.

Combine with other treatment: You can combine acupuncture with other vertigo treatment, for instance, vestibular rehabilitation exercises or medication as prescribed by your medical practitioner.

Acupuncture can be a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of vertigo caused by motion sickness or other vestibular disorders. Would you like more information on how to find an acupuncturist, or would you like to know about other treatments available for vertigo?

Chiropractic care may be a valuable intervention for the alleviation of vertigo when vertigo arises due to neck, spine, or nervous system-related issues. While there may be various reasons for vertigo, chiropractic interventions are valuable in treating underlying musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions that may be causing balance disorders and vertigo. This is the way in which chiropractic care may be beneficial:

1. Cervical Spine Adjustments
Neck Misalignment (Cervical Subluxations): Another common cause of vertigo is cervical spine misalignment or dysfunction of the neck. Misalignments or subluxations in the upper cervical vertebrae (such as the atlas or axis) can affect the nervous system and create dizziness, nausea, or vertigo symptoms. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to fix these misalignments and release pressure on the nerves that may be affecting the inner ear and balance mechanism.

2. Improving Blood Circulation and Nerve Function
Communication of the Nervous System: The spine and nervous system coordinate balance. Spinal misalignments can interfere with nerve impulses, which are in charge of balance. Chiropractic enables normal nerve function by correcting these misalignments, which can potentially relieve vertigo.

Circulation to the Inner Ear: The cervical spine at the top has intimate relationships with vessels supplying blood to the brain and inner ear. Chiropractic adjustment improves circulation, and thus sufficient blood supply will be provided to the inner ear, which will remedy dizziness or vertigo due to inadequate circulation.

3. Remedy for Vestibular System Dysfunction
Vestibular Rehabilitation: The vestibular apparatus, located inside the inner ear, plays an important role in balance. Chiropractors may, from time to time, utilize techniques to treat vestibular system dysfunction, such as by using very mild manual manipulation. This will enhance proprioception (sensing where one’s body is in space) and enhance balance.

4. Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Positional Vertigo Treatment: BPPV, a major cause of vertigo, occurs when calcium crystals in the inner ear are displaced and move into the semicircular canals, leading to balance disturbance. Chiropractic treatment is not the primary treatment for BPPV, but some chiropractors who have been trained in vestibular therapy or the Epley maneuver (a procedure to move the displaced crystals) can treat this disorder by having the patient execute certain head movements to restore balance.

5. Muscle Tension and Posture
Muscle Tension Relief: Muscle tension in the upper back and neck can sustain the vertigo symptoms by limiting movement and affecting the balance centers. Soft tissue therapy, such as massage or trigger point therapy, and chiropractic adjustments can relieve muscle tension and restore posture, helping to resolve dizziness.

6. Holistic Approach
Treating the Entire Body: Chiropractors often treat holistically, considering the entire function of the body, including nervous, circulatory, and muscular systems. They can also provide lifestyle and ergonomics advice to assist in maintaining proper posture and preventing vertigo from recurring.
Not for All Causes of Vertigo: Chiropractic therapy is most effective when vertigo is related to musculoskeletal or spinal conditions. For all other causes of vertigo, such as infections of the inner ear, vestibular disease, or neurological diseases, chiropractic therapy may not be the treatment of first choice.

Consult with a Healthcare Provider: In case you are suffering from vertigo, it is important that you receive appropriate evaluation to determine its cause. Your chiropractor might be part of your health care team but he must work alongside other health care providers to ensure an integrated treatment process.

Generally speaking, chiropractic care can be an effective adjunctive therapy for vertigo, particularly if the cause of the disorder is misalignment of the neck, nerve dysfunction, or tension of muscles. It must be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional and in harmony with the underlying reason for vertigo.


The Stop Snoring And Sleep Apnea Program™ a well-researched program created to help stop snoring and sleep apnea so that you can have a good night sleep. The techniques that you will learn from this program works immediately. It will only take you 3-7 minutes to perform these simple exercises that the author has recommended but the results that you will get will help you have a good night sleep as soon as tonight. Within a week, snoring will be a thing of the past.