Clinical Information For the Treatment Of Meniere's Disease
What Is Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's Disease - Basics
Meniere's Disease is a disorder that causes a shift in the volume of fluid in the inner ear. Meniere's Disease typically affects only one ear and can cause tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, sensation of fullness in the ear, pain and hearing loss. Characterized by episodic attacks, individuals with Meniere's Disease experience symptoms that range in severity and last several hours.
Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for Meniere's Disease.
What Patterns Are Related To Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's Disease - Diagnostic Patterns
The Chinese Medicine treatment of meniere's disease generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).
The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of meniere's disease:
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Which Acupuncture Point Protocols May Be Applied For Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's Disease - Acupuncture Protocols
The treatment of conditions with acupuncture can be a complicated endeavor that should only be undertaken by individuals with a deep understanding of the underlying Chinese Medicine theory (and/or whatever system being used for treatment). There are many approaches, but generally speaking few viable approaches are involved on a point to condition basis. Rather using proper diagnostic procedures the patients diagnostic pattern is ascertained and that is what is treated. The protocols listed here exemplify some of these clinical approaches.
The following acupuncture treatment protocols may be used with meniere's disease:
Which Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols Apply To Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's Disease - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols
Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for meniere's disease that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.
The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with meniere's disease:
The Following (3)Formulas TCM Herbal Formulas May Be Useful For Meniere's Disease
Er Chen He San Zi Yang Qin Wan (Two Aged Herbs & Three Seeds Nursing Pills)
Clinical Usages
- Modified version of er chen wan - formula for clearing phlegm in both acute and chronic cases - seasonal colds and flus with phlegm, chronic wet cough, sinus issues and more physical signs such as dizziness, meniere's with the right causal factors.
Clinical Categorization
Er Chen Wan (Two Aged Herbs)
Clinical Usages
- The primary base formula to resolve phlegm damp, particularly in the lungs and GI system - cough (with white mucus), plugged ears, sinus blockage - along with GI symptoms of nausea, vomiting.
- Upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD - when arising from phlegm damp.
- Phlegm accumulation in the head symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, meniere's disease, alcohol hangover.
- Cysts from phlegm accumulation - fibroids, breast cyst, ovarian cyst, thryoid cysts, goiter.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Avoid in patients with yin deficiency - i.e. cough from dryness.
Xiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Shao Yang Syndrome (or "lesser yang stage") - alternating fever and chills, hypochondriac pain, irritability, bitter taste in mouth, poor appetite, nausea. Often used for illnesses (chronic or short-term) such as the flu, etc. that have "cleared" but not completely. People will describe not feeling quite right or having a range of low level symptoms for months or longer after a particular illness. Instead of fever and chills alternating they may manifest with cold extremities and warm interior or other variations.
- A range of liver related conditions including malaria, jaundice, hepatitis, liver cancer, meniere's disease, general protection from medicines that may harm the liver, etc. among issues with other digestive organs - pancreatitis, stomatitis, gastritis.
- Liver/speen disharmonies resulting in broader issues such as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, menstrual irregularities (PMS, cramping, etc.).
- Other general immune issues such as the common cold, flu, tonsillitis, general seasonal allergies with the right underlying factors.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Use with caution with yin and/or blood deficiencies.
- Avoid cold, raw, and spicy foods while taking xiao chai hu tang.
Where Do I Go Next?
Recent Questions From Our Forum...
Have questions about meniere's disease? Or want to discuss treatment techniques? You may reach us and our community of practitioners by using our forums