Dizziness is one of the most common adverse reactions to acupuncture, many patients do not understand this, the following I will briefly introduce some medical knowledge about dizziness from the following aspects, I hope it will be helpful to the majority of patients.
First, the principle of dizzy needles
The original dizzy needle is a kind of vascular inhibition syncope (or vascular decompression syncope), which belongs to the category of reflex syncope. It is due to strong stimulation such as acupuncture, through the vagus nerve reflex, causing the vascular bed (especially of the surrounding muscles) to dilate, peripheral vascular resistance to reduce the amount of return blood, and therefore the heart’s output is reduced, blood pressure drops, resulting in a temporary, widespread reduction in cerebral blood flow, and the development of syncope.
Second, the causes of fainting needles occur
1.Physical reasons
It is one of the most important causes. Most clinically seen is weak, hungry, fatigued people prone to fainting needles. In addition, needling after drinking can also easily lead to fainting needles; followed by allergies, vascular nerve function instability. Many people with no obvious reason for needle sickness can often find the cause in their physique.
2, psychological reasons
It is also the main reason. Mostly seen in first-time acupuncture patients, due to the lack of experience, and fear, fear of pain, nervousness and other emotions. The most common cause of acupuncture is melancholy personality. It may be due to the introversion of melancholy personality, emotional depression, easy to stimulate both excitement and inhibition, easy to occur in the plant nervous system dysfunction.
Third, the clinical manifestations of needle sickness
1.Aura period
Various discomfort in the head, upper abdomen or general discomfort, blurred vision, tinnitus, palpitations, nausea, pallor, cold sweat, yawning, etc. This period is very short and some patients may have no aura period.
2.Seizure period
In mild cases, dizziness and chest tightness, nausea and vomiting, limbs are weak and cold, shaking and unstable, or with momentary loss of consciousness. In severe cases, sudden loss of consciousness, fainting on the ground, blue lips and nails, dripping sweat, pale face, eyes rolled up, and incontinence. Blood pressure drops rapidly and pulse rate slows to 40 to 50 beats per minute. A few of them may be accompanied by convulsions.
3.Late stage
After prompt recovery, the patient may have significant fatigue, pale face, salivation and sweating. In mild cases, there is only mild discomfort.
The above is the typical course of seizures, but mild cases can only appear in the aura period that directly into the late stage, without the seizure period.
Most cases of dizziness occur during acupuncture, but a few patients may experience symptoms a few minutes or longer after the needles are removed. This is known as delayed needle sickness and should be noted.
Prevention of needle sickness
1.Psychological prevention
Mainly for those who have suspicion, fear, or crying, laughing, screaming, trembling, avoidance, muscle spasms, accompanied by pupils, blood pressure, breathing, heartbeat, skin temperature, color, sweating and other changes in the vegetative nervous system and endocrine function when needling. Pre-psychological prevention can be used to avoid adverse reactions such as dizziness. The patient can be linguistically induced, i.e., before entering the needle, patiently explain to the patient the specific method of needling, explain the possible sensation of needling, the degree and conduction pathway, in order to obtain the patient’s trust and cooperation; relaxation training: for patients who are quiet, repressed, easy to concentrate, and introverted, make them gaze at an object, and wait until they completely enter a state of self-meditation (meditation) before entering the needle; distraction: for Patients who are impatient, active, inattentive and extroverted can be made to do some simple quick mental arithmetic, or ask them some small questions, using their visual and auditory functions and thinking activities to divert their attention and promote local tissue relaxation.
2.Physiological prevention
For hungry patients, it is appropriate to eat before the needle; overly fatigued people, should make them rest until the basic recovery of physical strength. Especially for people with a history of needle sickness and first-time acupuncture, it is best to take a lateral position, simplify the points and reduce the amount of stimulation.
V. Treatment of acupuncture faintness
1. Mild acupuncture fainting
All needles or jars should be removed quickly, or stop moxibustion, and the patient should be helped to lie down in a place with air circulation. Elevate the legs, lower the head (no pillow) and lie down for a few moments. If the patient still feels uncomfortable, give warm boiled water or hot tea to drink.
2.Severe dizziness needle
Immediately go to the needle and lie down, or if the situation is urgent, make him lie down directly on the floor. Point and press the Hall of Indus, Renzhong, and Gu, until perception is restored and symptoms subside.