Massage Techniques for Vertigo

Characterized by symptoms of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, vertigo can be debilitating, but is rarely serious or life threatening. The condition can be treated quite effectively through a variety of methods, such as massage. Numerous massage techniques exist, both professional and DIY, holistic and reductionist.

Tuina

• Tuina helps your qi flow.

  This form of Chinese manipulative therapy is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is often used in conjunction with acupuncture. TCM practitioners believe that disease does not spontaneously occur, but manifests as a result of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual causes, creating an imbalance in the flow of qi (life force). Practitioners brush, knead, roll, press and rub areas between the client's joints to get energy moving in the meridians (paths in the body where qi flows) and muscles, effectively treating problems such as vertigo from a holistic, or whole body, perspective.

Shiatsu

• Use Shiatsu to release energetic blockages.

  Shiatsu, a traditional Japanese hands-on massage technique, shares a lot of similarities with Tuina, as it is based on TCM. Treatments usually take place on a mat with the client dressed in comfortable clothing but can also be done sitting on a stool or even in a group. The practitioner kneels beside and feels for energetic blockages in the client's meridians. While feeling for these blockages, the therapist applies acupressure massage at specific points to release these blockages. When a client's qi flows freely, he becomes well from a holistic perspective.

Active Release Technique (ART)

• Active Release Technique releases entrapped nerves.

  ART is a rather new form of soft tissue massage developed in Colorado by Chiropractor Dr. Leahy and has grown considerably because of its effectiveness at treating certain problems such as vertigo. The objective of ART is to restore soft tissue function and release entrapped nerves and blood vessels. It's a kind of intense massage where the practitioner could press quite firmly on a specific point to remove entrapments in soft tissues, which are at the root of many nerve-related problems, such as vertigo.

Trigger Point Therapy

• Take the DIY approach to treating vertigo through Trigger Point Therapy.

  The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook provides a DIY alternative to expensive massage treatment. The technique is based on massaging myofascial trigger points --- small contraction knots --- in specific areas. Since vertigo is often associated with strained, stressed and overworked muscles of the head, face, jaws and neck, this self-treatment option can be quite effective. It can, however, take some time and patience to learn.