Acu Protocols

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment
protocols for balance disorders such as dizziness and vertigo. There are many ways to treat this
condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

Dizziness may be experienced internally with uncomfortable sensations possibly with loss of
balance. Vertigo may be experienced as an external imbalance where objects may seem to move
around the patient while they themselves feel still.

Etiology & Pathology:

o Differentiation:

Excess Conditions:

LV Yang/Fire Generating Wind - May arise from emotional issues a/or KD

Yin deficiency.

Phlegm-Damp Retention - Arises from ST/SP weakness

Deficient Conditions:

Qi & Blood Deficiency - May arise from long term illness a/or ST/SP
weakness

KD Jing Deficiency - Usually arises from old age but may come from
extreme exhaustion

o LV Yang/Fire Generating Wind - Excess

Signs & Symptoms:

Dizziness, red face, irritability, tremors/tics possible.

Tongue: Red w/thin yellow coat

Pulse: Wiry, rapid or possibly slippery

Treatment Points:

Valaskatagis Point Selection (with additions):

LV 2 - LV fire, could use LV 3 if less heat signs

GB 20 - descend Qi, clear head

GV 20 - descend Qi

GB 34 - LV/GB fire

SP 6 - tonify Yin

o Phlegm-Damp Retention - Excess

Signs & Symptoms:

Dizziness with sensation of heaviness, fullness of the chest a/or

epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, profuse sputum, no appetite.

Tongue: Greasy w/yellow or white coat

Pulse: Slippery

Treatment Points:

Valaskatagis Point Selection (with additions):

CV 12 - ST Shu

ST 40 - resolve phlegm

ST 8 - resolve phlegm in the head

UB 20 - SP Shu

UB 21 - ST Shu

GV 20 - clear the head

o Qi & Blood Deficiency

Signs & Symptoms:

Dizziness that is worse with exertion a/or movement, pale a/or dull
complexion, lassitude, palpitations, insomnia, poor appetite.

Tongue: Pale

Pulse: Thin, weak

Treatment Points:

Valaskatagis Point Selection (with additions):

ST 36 - tonify ST/SP

SP 6 - tonify ST/SP

CV 6 - if more qi deficient, CV 4 if more blood deficient

UB 20 - SP Shu

UB 17 - hui meeting of the Blood

 GV 20 - raise the Qi to the head

o KD Jing Deficiency

Signs & Symptoms:

Chronic dizziness with feeling of emptiness in the head, poor

memory, tinnitus, sore low back a/or knees, seminal emissions.

Tongue: Red

Pulse: Thin

Treatment Points:

Valaskatagis Point Selection (with modifications):

KD 3 - tonify KD

CV 4 - tonify Qi

UB 23 - KD Shu

GB 39 - hui meeting of the marrow

GV 20 - raise the Qi to the head

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The
following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

St. John, Meredith: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology
Lecture Notes

Valaskatgis, Peter: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture
Notes