Vertigo
Ginger
Ginger has been shown to be effective at reducing symptoms.Dose:
1 gram of powdered root dailyGingerOne gram of powdered ginger (Zingiber officinale) root in a single application has been reported to significantly reduce symptoms of artificially induced vertigo in one double-blind trial.9 In a double-blind trial, 1 gram of powdered ginger root was found to have very little effect in reducing vertigo related to seasickness.10
Ginkgo
Taking ginkgo may help reduce symptoms.Dose:
120 to 160 mg a day of a standardized herbal extractGinkgoIn a preliminary clinical trial, a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (GBE) significantly reduced symptoms of vertigo in a group of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment.11 Participants were given 40 mg three times per day for one year. GBE has also been reported to significantly reduce vertigo of unknown cause in preliminary12 and double-blind13 trials. The amounts given were 120 mg and 160 mg per day, respectively, for three months.
Vinpocetine
Supplementing with vinpocetine has been shown to ease symptoms.Dose:
15 mg dailyVinpocetineA preliminary trial showed that 15 mg per day of vinpocetine had a moderate or greater effect on reducing the signs and symptoms of vertigo in 77% of patients with this condition.14 Other preliminary reports exist describing benefits of vinpocetine for vertigo and other symptoms of inner ear disorders,15 but controlled research is needed to evaluate these claims.
Vitamin B6
Studies have shown vitamin B6 to be effective at reducing symptoms.Dose:
Consult a qualified healthcare practitionerVitamin B6Two preliminary human studies reported that vitamin B6 supplementation reduced symptoms of vertigo produced with drugs in a laboratory setting.16 Vitamin B6 supplementation has not been studied in BPPV or other forms of vertigo and may not share the same causative mechanism as experimentally induced vertigo.
Holistic Options
Numerous preliminary reports suggest certain “vestibular rehabilitation” exercises may help some cases of vertigo.17,18,19,20,21,22 These exercises were also found to be effective in relieving vertigo in two controlled studies,23 including one on BPPV.24 While vestibular rehabilitation exercises may be done at home, initial guidance by a qualified practitioner is necessary.
BPPV appears to be caused by an accumulation of free-floating cell fragments in the fluid of the inner ear.25,26 Certain manipulation therapy maneuvers, referred to as particle repositioning maneuvers (PRMs), are intended to relocate this debris to a harmless location,27,28,29 in order to improve symptoms. Both preliminary30,31,32,33,34 and controlled35,24,37 trials achieved significant improvement in, or elimination of, BPPV using these maneuvers. Most studies report that over 90% of people with BPPV treated one or two times with PRM respond to this treatment, although up to 45% may develop BPPV again within a few years, requiring further treatments.25,39,40
Research indicates some cases of vertigo are related to spinal disorders affecting the head and neck.41,42,43,44,45,46,47 Preliminary studies report that certain treatments, such as spinal manipulation,43,46,50,51 physical therapy,42 and combined approaches including manipulation and specific exercise programs,53,54 result in significant improvement of vertigo symptoms.
Trigger points are thought by most,55,56,57 though not all,58 authorities to potentially cause pain and abnormal function in other parts of the body. Trigger points appear to develop as the result of injury, poor posture, structural abnormalities of the leg or pelvis, emotional tension, and other body stressors.59,60 Also known as myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD), this condition, when it affects certain muscles of the head and neck, has been associated with vertigo in preliminary research.61,62,22 Musculoskeletal healthcare specialists and other practitioners can often treat MPD with a variety of natural therapies, including deep pressure massage,64,65,66,67,68 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS),69,70 and other approaches,61 but no controlled studies have investigated the effectiveness of these treatments specifically for vertigo.
In a preliminary study of people with migraine headaches, most of whom (83%) also experienced vertigo, a combined and individualized approach using dietary changes, medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and acupuncture resulted in complete or substantial improvement of symptoms in a significant number of participants.22 In addition, a large number of case studies presented in two preliminary reports suggest acupuncture may help to reduce symptoms of vertigo.73,74 These preliminary studies have yet to be confirmed by controlled clinical trials.