Vertigo & Dizziness

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo (Korean: 현훈) is a sensory disturbance in which one feels that oneself or the surroundings are spinning or swaying. Although the symptom itself is singular, the approach varies widely depending on where and how it originates. The main categories include peripheral (inner ear), cervical (neck), central (brain), and PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness).

Overview of vertigo
▲ Vertigo has diverse causes and mechanisms — accurate assessment comes first
Emergency Signs to Check First: If sudden dizziness is accompanied by slurred speech, weakness on one side, severe headache, visual changes, or inability to walk, go to the emergency room immediately.

① Peripheral Vertigo (Inner-Ear Vertigo)

The most common form of vertigo. It occurs when the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear fails to process balance information properly. Representative conditions include BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's disease.

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BPPV

Recurrent bouts of spinning vertigo lasting seconds to a minute triggered by specific head positions — often when turning over in bed.

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Meniere's Disease

Recurrent spinning vertigo combined with tinnitus, hearing decline, and ear fullness.

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Vestibular Neuritis

Onset often follows a cold, with persistent spinning vertigo and severe nausea/vomiting lasting days to weeks.

② Cervical Vertigo (Dizziness from the Neck)

Dizziness caused by tight neck muscles, spinal misalignment, or poor posture. Often accompanied by forward-head posture, straight neck, or chronic shoulder stiffness, and typically worsens when turning the head or sitting for long periods.

Features of Cervical Vertigo
  1. More floating sensation / head heaviness than true spinning
  2. Head turning triggers the dizziness
  3. Accompanied by neck/shoulder stiffness and headache
  4. Worsens after computer or smartphone use
  5. Rarely as intense as the spinning of BPPV
Osundosun's Approach

Acupuncture relaxes tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, and chuna therapy corrects misalignment of the cervical and upper spine. When needed, ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture allows precise care of the deep neck muscles.

③ PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness)

PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness) is a chronic form of dizziness that has recently received wider attention. It should be considered when a sense of dizziness persists for more than 3 months after an acute episode such as BPPV or vestibular neuritis, and daily life is affected despite no clear abnormality on examination.

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Persists Over 3 Months

Rather than spinning, a swaying, unsteady sensation that is present most days.

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Worse with Posture or Motion

Worse when standing/walking or with visual stimulation (crowded stores, busy screens); often eases when lying down.

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Closely Linked to Anxiety/Tension

Stress and anxiety are both aggravators and companions. A psychological angle is often also needed.

PPPD is not simply an "ear problem" — it involves disruption in how the vestibular system and brain integrate information, alongside autonomic imbalance. Long-standing dizziness without a clear cause on testing may fit this pattern.

The Korean Medicine View of Vertigo

In Korean medicine, vertigo is classically associated with the liver (肝) — as in the saying "諸風眩暈 皆屬於肝" ("all wind-vertigo pertains to the liver") — but in clinical practice, it is differentiated into several patterns such as liver-yang ascending (肝陽上亢), phlegm-damp (痰濕), qi-blood deficiency (氣血不足), and kidney-essence depletion (腎精虧損).

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Liver-Yang Ascending

Tendency toward stress, anger, and elevated blood pressure. With headache and facial flushing.

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Phlegm-Damp Type

Head heaviness, nausea, poor digestion. Dizziness paired with queasiness.

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Qi-Blood Deficiency

After fatigue, paleness, postpartum, or overwork. Gradual onset of dizziness and low energy.

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Kidney-Essence Depletion

Chronic dizziness with tinnitus and weak lower back/knees, seen with aging or overwork.

Osundosun's Approach to Vertigo

The Approach Differs by Type

Whether it's BPPV, cervical vertigo, or PPPD, the treatment approach varies significantly.

Our Solution:
Acupuncture supports circulation and autonomic stabilization, and based on Vice-Director Oh Eun-jeong's 35 years of constitutional care, we prepare herbal formulas matched to each patient's constitution. For cervical vertigo, chuna therapy and ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture are used together.
Can I continue Western medical evaluation/treatment at the same time?
Yes, concurrent care is possible. Many patients undergo ENT or neurology testing first to rule out emergency and central causes, then add Korean medicine for chronic-phase management.

Vertigo — let's look at the root cause first.

This is not simply "a dizzy spell" — the approach differs completely based on the cause.
With accurate categorization and constitution-based care, reclaim a steady daily life.

Begin your vertigo consultation with Osundosun Korean Medicine Clinic.