On Point: What Is Acupressure, and Does It Work for Vertigo?

If you’ve ever felt off-balance or extremely dizzy, you may have experienced a condition called vertigo. Some medicinal treatments are effective for vertigo, but alternative practices can grant relief as well – even from the comfort of your home. Here, acupunture practitioners Qihui Jin and Itorye Silver explain how acupressure works and how it could help you.

First, how is acupressure different from acupuncture?

Thousands of years ago, Chinese doctors discovered specific points on the body that when stimulated, cause therapeutic effects. These points, referred to as acupoints, may be stimulated using pressure, called acupressure, or by inserting hair-thin needles, called acupuncture.

Acupressure usually requires repetition and consistency to achieve the desired effect, but unlike acupuncture, which must be performed by a licensed specialist, it can be done by anyone including yourself. That makes it great for someone looking to maximise their health between acupuncture visits.

OK, how can acupressure help with vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance and the illusion of movement that results in mild to severe dizziness. In Chinese medicine, it’s mostly associated with the imbalance of energy in the liver and treatment involves a massage over the acupoints that are associated with dizziness. By stimulating acupoints with pressure, the body will find balance, which indirectly will resolve vertigo.

Among other things, acupressure can also be used to help reduce stress, boost immunity, support digestion, and lower pain. Vertigo often gets better without treatment, but if your dizziness is recurring and is affecting your daily life, be sure to see a doctor first to eliminate any serious causes.

What happens in a typical session with a specialist?

Initially, your acupuncturist will ask you questions, do a physical assessment, and review your health history to determine the cause of your vertigo as either central or peripheral. Knowing the cause helps acupuncturists pinpoint the associated treatment pattern of point combinations. From there, based on the pattern, the acupuncturist will select acupoints and apply pressure to achieve the treatment goal.

So, how do you do it at home?

Research shows that a spot in each of your forearms about three fingerbreadths from your wrist crease is associated with vertigo. Try applying firm pressure on each acupoint with either your thumb or index and middle fingers until soreness or warmth is felt, approximately three minutes per acupoint, and repeat at your own comfort. You could do one side of your body and then switch to another side or do both sides in the same session.

How soon can you expect to feel better?

Usually the patient feels positive results immediately, but in order to have a long-lasting effect, a few days of treatments are needed. Remember, vertigo is just a symptom of internal imbalance. Applying acupressure addresses the underlying imbalance to prevent recurrence, so it needs to be done repeatedly until the body changes its pattern. If someone is doing acupressure at home, at least two 30-minute sessions every day are recommended for best results.

What does the research say?

One study found 85% of patients experienced a reduction of vertigo symptoms in just one session. Since vertigo can be stressful, it’s important to note a 2022 meta analysis also found that acupressure effectively lowers anxiety and stress responses.

Is there anyone who should avoid acupressure?

Acupressure is for everyone. That said, pressure shouldn’t be applied to wounds, cuts, bruising, undiagnosed lumps or swelling, eczema, or any other conditions similar to those.

How can I find a practitioner?

Reach out to acupuncture.org.au to find out more.