Effects of Acupuncture, Cervical Manipulation and NSAID
Therapy on Dizziness and Impaired Head Repositioning
of Suspected Cervical Origin: A Pilot Study

This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Manual Therapy 2000 (Aug); 5 (3): 151–157

Heikkila H, Johansson M, Wenngren BI

Department of Otorhinolaryngology,
Northern Sweden University Hospital,
Umea, Sweden.
hannu.heikkila@psychiat.umu.se

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In a single-subject experiment undertaken on 14 consecutive patients, the effects of acupuncture, cervical manipulation, no therapy, and NSAID-percutan application on kinesthetic sensibility, dizziness/vertigo and pain were studied in patients with dizziness/vertigo of suspected cervical origin. The ability to perceive position of the head with respect to the trunk was studied. The effects of different forms of therapy-and none-on dizziness and neck pain were compared, using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Active head relocation by subjects with dizziness was significantly less precise than in the control group. Manipulation was the only treatment to diminish the duration of dizziness/vertigo complaints during the past 7 days and increased the cervical range of motion. Both acupuncture and manipulation reduced dizziness/vertigo on the VAS scale and had positive effects on active head repositioning. Ketoprofen percutan application and acupuncture both alleviated pain. The results of this study would suggest that spinal manipulation may impact most efficiently on the complex process of proprioception and dizziness of cervical origin.

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