Information on this site shall be considered as holistic, alternative and spiritual advice only. For medical advice and treatment a GP, medical professional and/or Certified Hijama Therapist should be consulted. In all circumstances where lifestyle changes, supplements, or other foods are suggested your GP should be consulted. Client Safety is the number one priority when addressing vertigo.
Cupping / Hijama Points Treatment Plan for Vertigo
Allow 2-4 weeks between sessions – longer if required. Hijama Points shown for each session should ONLY be used to guide the therapist. Body size, cup size, and any other conditions need to considered and appropriate care and attention taken. The number of sessions shown can be increased or reduced depending on the condition of the client.
Complete Treatment Plan
Click here for Session 1Click here for Session 2
Click here for Session 3
Click here for Session 4
Click here for Session 5
Standard Wet Points – 1,55,43,44
Click here for Hijama Points on the back of the bodyIf the client has a complicated history and numerous concerns then it is a good idea to use our online consultation service – click here.
Which body part or function of the body is involved in Veritgo?
Vertigo itself is a symptom of an underlying problem which is interrupting your sense of balance. There are number of structure which are responsible for providing the information required by the brain to ensure balance and equilibrium. The brain uses visual cues from your eyes and ears (including the inner ear, which contains the vestibular system- to provide the body position to the brain); other body parts (e.g., muscles, joints, skin) to help you keep your balance. there are three systems which contribute towards your balance:
Each system takes stimulus from the outside world and sends it to the brain for processing which then sends signals through the nerves nerves for a proper response in the muscular system. If everything is working our body makes adjustments based on the situation to maintain its balance. If one of the systems fails or reports incorrectly the other two can pick up the slack but if the information is insufficient we become unsteady and increase the of risk of falling or suffering from vertigo.
- Visual System – is made up of the eyeball and optic nerve (CN II) and focuses on depth perception and spatial awareness. Light is taken in (sensory stimuli) to the brain and evaluated and integrated to help maintain our balance. Natural aging, accidental injury, and neurological disconnection can impair the function and the other systems may fill in the gaps.
- Somatosensory (Sensation) System – allows us to know where our body and joints through receptors and proprioceptors in the skin. It is basically across the entire body and takes information from the skin and joints and relays it to the brain which after processing will adjust the muscles as appropriate. If you were to close your eyes and walk your somatosensory system would completely take over to tell your brain where your body is in space.
- Vestibular (inner ear) System – the most complex system and consists of sensors in the inner ear that are sensitive to motion and the position of the head. These sensors relay information to the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII). In simple terms if the head is level and which direction you are moving. The system kind of acts like a gyroscope determing rotation using semi-ciruclar canals filled with a fluid called endolymph. Hairs on the wall of these canals send signals to the brain resulting in integrated rotational movement information. Any disruption to this system provides incorrect feedback to the brain especially when contradicting the other system and cause dizziness.
Other structures which are involved are:
- Cranial Nerve VIII is responsible for receiving signals for hearing and balance
- Cerebellum located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture, and balance – (the cerebellum in cats is much larger relative to the rest of the brain which accounts for their excellent sense of balance and co-ordination)
- The brainstem acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It performs many automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.
Check out the following link for an excellent paper on postural balance.
What are the symptoms and effects of Vertigo on the body?
Vertigo is more a symptom of some other underlying condition, rather than a condition itself. It is more about the sensation or feeling a person has that the environment around you is spinning or moving. The feeling may be hardly noticeable or may be so severe that you are at risk of a fall when doing everyday tasks.
Vertigo also may not be constant – you may suddenly get an attack of vertigo which last for a few seconds, or the symptoms may last much longer. If the vertigo is severe your symptoms may last for several days making normal life incredibly difficult.
Typical symptoms associated with vertigo include:
- loss of balance – which can make it difficult to stand or walk
- feeling sick or being sick
- dizziness
Vertigo can be categorized into two types known as peripheral and central, depending on the cause of the vertigo.
Peripheral Vertigo
Peripheral vertigo is the most common type, often caused by a problem with the balance mechanisms of the inner ear. The most common causes include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- A common cause of vertigo that can occur during specific movements of the head, while standing or bending, walking, or even turning in bed. It involves a very quick but intense attack of vertifo (lasting seconds to a few minutes). Generally accompanied by nausea but unlikely to vomit. Lightheadedness and a loss of balance can last after the initial attack – it is thought that this type of vertigo is casued by bits of calcium carbonate crystals that break off from the lining of the channels in your inner ear. The fragments sit at the bottom of the canal but movement can move them along and and incorrectly signal the brain causing a difference between what the brain sees and is being told. BPV can happen after an ear infection, ear surgery, head injury, prolonged bed rest, and is more prevalent in over 50s.
- Head Injury
- Vertigo can develop after head injury – you should seek medical attention if this is the case. There may be some damage most likely temporary but you need to be checked in this case.
- Labyrinthitis
- An ear infection in deep structures inside your ear become inflamed and start sending incorrect information to your brain which conflicts with what you see causing vertigo and dizziness. This is usually caused by a viral infection, e.g., common cold or flu and less likley to be a bacterial infection. Nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, tinnitus and sometimes a high temperature and ear pain may also accompany the vertigo.
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Causes inflammation of the nerve that connects the inner chambers of the ear (the labyrinth) to the brain. Usually caused by a viral infection. Symptoms, such as unsteadiness, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) can come on suddenly. Generally lasts a few hours or days, but may take three to six weeks to settle.
- Ménière’s Disease
- Can cause vertigo, as well as hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness (a feeling of pressure in your ear). With Ménière’s disease, you may experience sudden attacks of vertigo that last for hours or days. Can cause nausea and vomiting – the exact cause is unknown, but symptoms can generally be controlled by diet and medication and in reare situations you may need further treatment in the form of surgery.
- Taking Medication
- May be a side effect of some types of medication. Check the patient information leaflet to see if vertigo is listed as a possible side effect. Ask you doctor / GP before stopping the medicine and if you’re worried about the side effects. there may be medication alterantive options.
Central Vertigo
This type of vertigo is caused by problems in the brain such as in the cerebellum or the brainstem which connects to the spinal cord – its here that a lot of your balancing takes place – cats for instance have large cerebellum’s relative to the rest of the brain allowing for excellent balance and coordination. Central vertigo can be caused by issues which interfere with the normal functioning of these two areas and can include:
- Migraines – which are severe headaches felt as a throbbing pain at the front or one side of the head.
- Multiple Sclerosis – this condition interferes with the nervous system particularly along the spine and can directly effect the brain and the spinal cord
- Acoustic Neuroma – this is when there is a non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour that grows on the acoustic nerve itself which is a nerve that helps to control balance and hearing – this is a rare issue.
- Brain Tumour – if there is a tumour in the cerebellum – located at the bottom of the brain and partly responsible for coordination. This tumour will interfere with its function and may cause vertigo.
- Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or a Stroke – occurs when blood supply is cut off to the brain and comes in two forms: a TIA that is temporary and clears up – the patient quickly recovers or a full stroke which kills off cells in the brain and takes much longer to recover (other parts of the brain attempt to take over the function) – some cells will have died
- taking certain types of medication
What changes in diet can help improve symptoms of Vertigo?
The food we eat influences our health, for vertigo patients there are some alterations in their dietary choices that can lower their risk of an attack. It is difficult to change your diet but just think about how much you will suffer from a vertigo attack. Vertigo needs to be addressed in a multi-pronged manner and having a healthy diet is good for you in all situations.
Foods should be avoided:
- Caffeine: may increase the ringing sensations within the ears so avoid beverages like tea, energy drinks, coffee, and soda
- Salt: high amounts of salt intake can cause retention of excess water and affect the fluid balance and pressure in the body. This may interfere with equilibrium and balance mechanisms in the inner ear. Avoid foods like chips, popcorn, pickles, and canned foods
- Alcohol: Alcohol is known to cause dizziness, sense of balance, nausea and dehydration which will increase changes of a vertigo attack.
- Sugar: High sugar content foods / drinks can cause headaches as well as lead to vertigo symptoms.
Foods to include in your diet to provide nutrition and reduce inflammation to reduce the chances of vertigo:
- Water: Drink more water to stay hydrated this will also help with any inflammation.
- Fruits high in Vitamin C: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapples, other citrus fruits
- Foods high in Potassium to regulate fluid in the body: bananas, grapes, apricots
- Foods high in Vitamin B for nerve health: Nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts
- Vegetables: asparagus, leafy Greens, broccoli, peppers
- Lean proteins: skinless chicken, fish, and quinoa
Changes in lifestyle which can help Vertigo
Smoking is a factor associated with numerous health conditions also affects blood circulation to the brain, so it is recommended to quit smoking. Exercise and staying physically active to improve blood flow will definitely help and the reducing weight and staying relaxed will also be helpful.
Possible alternative remedies for Vertigo
There are a number things you can do for short term relief – if you’ve consulted your GP and can’t determine an underlying cause then these approaches may provide relief while your body adapts to your lifestyle – which hopefully when coupled with therapies such as hijama will heal your body and reduce your episodes of vertigo – see 10 Home Remedies for Vertigo
