Acupuncture combined with dermal needle tapping is an effective therapy in treating vertebrobasilar ischemic vertigo. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Fifty cases of vertebrobasilar ischemic vertigo treated by acupuncture.
Dig Dis Sci. 2005 Oct;50(10):1889-97. PMID: 19663090
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of filiform needle acupuncture combined with dermal needle tapping for vertebrobasilar ischemic vertigo. METHODS: Based on the etiopathogenesis of TCM, the disease is caused by turbid phlegm clouding the heart orifice combined with wind, leading to insufficient nourishment of the brain due to deficiency of blood. Fenglong (ST 40) was punctured with filiform needle to resolve phlegm; Fengchi (GB 20) to dispel wind; Baihui (GV 20) to stop dizziness; and Lieque (LU 7) to widen the inner diameter of the vertebral arteries and increase peak systolic velocity and minute blood flow volume, so as to improve blood supply to the vertebral arteries. Dazhui (GV 14) was stimulated by tapping with a dermal needle to improve blood supply to the head. RESULTS: Of 50 patients in this series, 39 cases (78%) were cured, 6 cases (12%) relieved, 4 cases (8%) improved, and 1 case (2%) failed, with a total effective rate of 98%. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with dermal needle tapping is an effective therapy for treating vertebrobasilar ischemic vertigo.