Woman Receiving Head Massage
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Vertigo is the feeling of dizziness that can also be accompanied by nausea, loss of hearing and loss of balance. Vertigo, dizziness and imbalance are considered to be vestibular disorders, which affect the inner ear and brain. The Vestibular Disorders Association indicates that between 2001 and 2004, 35.4 percent of U.S. adults, age 40 and older, had vestibular dysfunction.

Massage therapy is used to alleviate the symptoms of vertigo and to reduce pain from headache and neck stiffness.

Performing Massage Therapy

Standing behind the person suffering from vertigo, wrap you hands around her head with your thumbs on top of her head. Thumbs should be placed on the Bai Hui point, located on the top of the head. Looking at the patient's ears, draw an invisible line running from the tops of their ears to the center of their head; the halfway point is the Bai Hui point. Gently press downwards and outwards.

The Bai Hui massage for vertigo is designed to ease headache, dizziness, eye pain, tinnitus and vertigo.

Locate the Qiao Yin points. The Qiao Yin points are the points behind the middle of the ears. Place your forefingers on the Qiao Yin points and massage slowly in circular motions.

The Qiao Yin massage for vertigo treatment aims at clearing the head, alleviating pain and stiffness, resolving tinnitus and ear pain.

Place your hands on either side of your patient's head and place your thumbs on either side of the back neck muscle by the hairline. The point located in the depression is called the Feng Chi point. Massage this point slowly for 1 to 3 minutes.

Massaging the Feng Chi point will alleviate vertigo symptoms, dizziness and stiff neck.

Take your patient's ankle in hand and press your thumb to the Tai Xi point. The Tai Xi point is located in the depression midway between the edge of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon attachment. Massage for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat the process with the other ankle.

Massaging the Tai Xi point for vertigo relieves dizziness, tinnitus and headache.

Warning

Massage therapy may not be a good choice for you if you suffer from acute inflammation, redness, swelling, marked breathing difficulty, fever, skin rash or varicose veins.

If you have a bleeding disorder, low blood platelet counts or take blood-thinning medications, you should avoid any vigorous massage.

No massage should be done on parts of your body that have blood clots, fractures, open wounds, skin infections, recent surgery or weakened bones.

If you have cancer, consult your oncologist before getting any massage that applies deep, intense pressure. Direct pressure on tumors is discouraged by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Consult your health care practitioner before using massage therapy if you are pregnant.