Natural Therapies can help some Vertigo cases
Vertigo can occur for many reasons including, but not limited to:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear
- Trauma, including falls, whiplash (not necessarily hitting the head), direct head impact, dental work and surgery
- Brain diseases
- Stroke
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Migraines
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo, especially in people over 65 years old. BPPV occurs when crystals, normally located in one part of the balance system of your inner ear become dislodged and collect in another part of the inner ear balance system. As your head moves, the dislodged crystals also move and incorrect messages are sent to your brain. The brain receives the messages that the head is moving although the head has only moved position slightly. This will cause symptoms such as an illusion of movement or spinning with common movements or changes in position such as rolling over in bed, getting in or out of bed, or looking or reaching up (for example to the top shelf or to put drops into your eye).
Meniere’s Disease affects the inner ear due to a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear. You may experience periods of vertigo and ringing in the ears often referred to as tinnitus.
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear disorder of inflammation within the inner ear. This usually due to viral infection.
More serious issues contributing to vertigo could be brain injury or a tumour.
What would I experience if I had vertigo?
People often describe a feeling of spinning, turning, tilting, or feeling of being pulled in one direction – they feel very unstable as if they may fall over. You may experience nausea, and some individuals may vomit. Other symptoms include sweating, headaches, jerking eye movements, panic attacks and ringing in the ears.
Vertigo can significantly limit daily activities, so it’s important to seek help to address the issue. It’s worth noting that what works for one person may not work for another, as vertigo can be caused by a variety of factors. It’s essential to identify and address the specific underlying trigger for effective treatment.
Medical approach
The medical approach will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, specific exercises may be used to reposition the crystals in the ear, which can shift due to impact or whiplash. These crystals are tiny calcium deposits that need to be moved from the canal into the inner ear chamber, where they can be absorbed by the body.
Physical therapy may be used to strengthen vestibular system. This system sends signals to the brain, head and body movements especially when turning around, looking side to side and bending down.
Various medications could be prescribed if inflammation is present, including antibiotics if bacterial infection is present. If there is fluid build-up, then diuretics may be offered.
The home Epley manoeuvre is a type of exercise help that helps to treat the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
The Epley manoeuvre
For symptoms of vertigo occurring from the left side and left ear:
- Sit on the edge of a bed and turn the head 45 degrees to the left.
- Lie down quickly and face head up on the bed at a 45-degree angle.
- Maintain the position for 30 seconds.
- Turn head halfway, 90 degrees to the right without raising it for 30 seconds.
- Turn the head and entire body to right side, looking downward for 30 seconds.
- Slowly sit up. Remaining sitting for few minutes.
If vertigo starts on the right side in the right ear, follow the above for opposite side.
Natural Therapies:
I use Bowen Therapy and acupressure on all vertigo cases. Then we look at the individual triggers. These would require a different approach with herbal formulas or any homoeopathics.
Centre of balance is very important to take care of.
TRAUMA:
If you fall and twist your neck or hit your upper shoulder you can impinge a nerve. There are many small nerves and cappilaries that run across the face and eyes from the neck, damaging these can contribute to vertigo.
All neck muscles need to be gently exercised (homework I give people in-between treatments). Body work would address head acupressure points, lymph drainage and the entire spine.
Posture alignment through education of the body with appropriate exercises and sitting positions.
INFECTION:
Bacterial infection elsewhere in the body, especially in the kidneys, can contribute to this problem. The ears and kidneys are connected and damage to the nerves including the inner ear can occur if the kidneys are not treated. However, some research indicates that some medications given to treat kidneys can be ototoxic and contribute to hearing loss.
Kidney herbal formulas or homoeopathic’ s are a must if infection is in the kidney. The body is all connected and we must not just treat the problem area. Treating the symptoms will not resolve the problem, we must look at the entire body.
Don’t put off treatment for issues that can impact your ears or kidneys. High blood pressure and diabetes are two disorders that come to mind.
pH balance and hydration:
Over acidity can also affect kidneys so pH balance needs to be addressed.
Hydration is also very important.
Case example:
I had a client present with ovarian issues due to pain. Her kidneys had so much bacteria in them that her surrounding organs, in her case ovaries, become inflamed. She was suffering from intermittent vertigo from an accident that threw her neck out. Whilst observing her seated one shoulder was drooping more than the other due to the impact of the fall.
So please do not delay treatment.
Lyn Craven is a practitioner of Naturopathy, Bowen Therapy, Reiki energy therapist, meditation teacher and corporate health consultant. She is also a health researcher and writer and has produced a meditation CD for stress, anxiety and insomnia. She runs a private practice in Sydney and can be contacted on 0403 231 804 or email at [email protected] www.lyncraven.com https://www.instagram.com/lyncravennd/ www.facebook.com/NaturopathandBowenTherapy