Can alternative medicine strategies decrease the symptoms of vestibular disorders?
Common alternative medicine strategies used by people with vertigo and balance problems are pressure points with wrist bands, acupuncture, massage, yoga, taking extra vitamins, and, less commonly, hypnosis.
Many people eat peppermint candies, take ginko biloba, eat ginger cookies, or drink herbal teas to decrease nausea. Some patients try chiropractic manipulations.
No evidence supports the use of any of these interventions. Limited evidence, however, suggests that using high potency ginger extract is more likely to ensure an effective treatment.
This type of treatment may be useful with patients for whom standard antiemetic medications are contraindicated, such as pregnant woman and some cancer patients.
Dietary modification has been proven to be beneficial for patients with Ménière’s disease, as a low-sodium diet may reduce the frequency and intensity of Ménière’s attacks.
Migraine trigger diet elimination may benefit patients with vestibular migraine. Dietary modification has not been shown to be useful for treating other vestibular disorders.
