How can Yoga Treat Vertigo or Dizziness?

Experiencing a sensation of spinning or the world seems to twirl around? If yes, you may be experiencing vertigo conditions. 

Vertigo is a common condition diagnosed in a large percentage of the population irrespective of age and gender. It is likely to get triggered due to the slightest movement in the position of the head and the body.

From simple dehydration to the more severe causes like BPPV, Meniere’s disease, Labyrinthitis, etc.  results in making a person feel dizzy and experience repeated episodes of vertigo spells.  

Sudden bouts of vertigo spells appear without any warning signs and simple activities like walking, standing, jogging, etc. takes your sweat out and seem to be a dreadful task to accomplish.

The occurrence of vertigo spells during lifting weights, crossing roads or while driving a vehicle may prove to be a life-threatening cause. 

There are various myths associated with vertigo, some feel it is a condition that is caused due to fear of heights while others think it can never be treated. But that is not the case. Mild vertigo condition is treated well with certain vertigo home remedies and practicing vertigo exercises and yoga regularly for up to 3-4 weeks.

If the condition is severe and you are experiencing frequent episodes of vertigo spells, it is advised to seek medical help immediately before the symptoms get intense. An expert neurologist will ask you to undergo various vertigo tests to identify the underlying cause that’s causing vertigo conditions and would suggest the right vertigo treatment accordingly.

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He may even recommend practicing some yoga asana apart from exercises for vertigo to alleviate the symptoms and to strengthen the nervous system and balance. It’s time to dig in to get a brief insight into what is vertigo and how yoga can be beneficial in vertigo treatment. 

Let’s get started!

What is vertigo?

A sensation of spinning where the room seems to spin around or the person experiences whether he is spinning all by himself along with loss of equilibrium is known as vertigo.

A person suffering from vertigo experiences a loss of balance as the sensory signals sent from the inner ear to the brain get disrupted resulting in making a person feel dizzy. Nausea, vomiting, headaches are often accompanied by vertigo spells. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo diagnosed in a majority of the population.

The deposition of the calcium particles in the inner ear results in making the vestibular nerve inflamed responsible for sending sensory signals to the brain that regulates the balance of the body. The slightest movement in the position of the head and the body triggers the condition even further.

It has been proven that practicing certain repositioning maneuvers and yoga asana helps in escalating vertigo symptoms and ease the condition thereby giving the much-needed relief.

How yoga asanas are effective in dizziness or vertigo treatment?

Yoga is known for stimulating various senses of the body thus giving much-needed relief from stress and anxiety. It has been known as the best practice for a healthy well being.

However, it has been proved that certain yoga asanas are quite effective in treating vertigo conditions as it helps in improving balance and activating the nervous system.  

Yoga postures stimulate the nervous system, help in activating balance centers, improving the blood circulation & building concentration thus alleviating vertigo conditions.

Several yoga postures that help in stimulating the nervous system and maintain the pure blood flow to the brain cells helps in curing vertigo spells and are an optimal therapy for vertigo treatment.

Here is a list of certain yoga exercises for vertigo that helps in easing vertigo conditions:

These yoga exercises help in activating the nervous system and balance centers in the inner ear. Practicing simple yoga asanas help in escalating vertigo conditions and improve the blood circulation to the head and other body parts.

• Shanmukhi Mudra

It is one of the effective asanas that help to calm the mind, nervous system, and eases anxiety and stress. Shanmukhi mudra helps in rejuvenating the facial nerves and tissues as well. It is known as an effective mudra to reduce vertigo spells. Practicing Shanmukhi mudra regularly for up to 3-4 weeks helps in treating vertigo or dizziness. 

• Nadi Shodhan Pranayama

Practicing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama helps in purifying blood and strengthens the nervous system as well. However, pranayama helps in escalating vertigo conditions from the system completely. This yoga asana requires deep breathing which enriches the supply of oxygen to the blood, strengthens the respiratory system & stimulates the nervous system. 

• Salamba Sirsasana

Salamba Sirsasana is another yoga exercise that helps in treating vertigo spells to a greater extent if practiced regularly. Apart from treating vertigo, it is quite effective in treating various problems associated with the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines & reproductive organs with its reverse-pull effect of gravity. 

• Halasana

Halasana yoga posture is known for strengthening back muscles, shoulders & neck. This yoga asana is quite effective in relaxing, rejuvenating and strengthening the nervous system, thus helping in overcoming vertigo conditions. Apart from strengthening the nervous system, it helps women during menopause and reduces stress.

• Paschimottanasana

Regular practice of Paschimottanasana helps in easing stress, anxiety & fatigue. It has been known as a stress reliever asana that is highly recommended for women. It has been noticed that the regular practice of Paschimottanasana proves quite beneficial in curing vertigo.

• Shavasana

Shavasana helps in releasing stress and strengthening the nervous system. In this yoga asana, one is in the meditative state of rest that helps in relieving stress and stimulate the whole body parts thus reducing anxiety, insomnia & vertigo spells.

Caution:

It is advised not to practice yoga asana that involves any downward facing poses or sudden tweak in poses as it may trigger vertigo symptoms. To avoid dizziness, patients suffering from vertigo spells should practice yoga asana slowly and calmly in the presence of another person. 

In general, exercises for vertigo and yoga postures provide great relief in curing vertigo by strengthening and activating the nervous system. But, it is advised to consult an expert neurologist to get yourself diagnosed as soon as you start experiencing spinning sensations. He will diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe you with the right vertigo treatment. He would suggest the right yoga postures or exercises depending upon the underlying condition to alleviate vertigo spells sooner than you expect.