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Valley Health Clinic, Acupuncture Clinic in Albany, Oregon
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13 minutes read

Treating Meniere’s Disease

Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
By Will Sheppy, L.Ac

One of the most confusing parts of Treating Ménière’s disease is that it almost never shows up by itself. In most people, Ménière’s disease is often accompanied by other conditions that can also cause dizziness, pressure, or imbalance. When that happens, it becomes incredibly hard to tell what you’re actually feeling, what your true triggers are, and why something that helps one person doesn’t seem to help you.

Let’s go through some of these other conditions.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Ménière’s disease often overlaps with other conditions that also cause dizziness and vertigo
  • Tracking improvement in comorbid symptoms helps you see progress before Ménière’s attacks improve
  • Neck pain, gut health, allergies, migraines, and nervous system overactivity all influence inner ear symptoms

Ménière’s Disease Rarely Acts Along Video

Functional dyspepsia is chronic indigestion without ulcers or structural disease. In other words, your stomach isn’t working right, but tests and imaging don’t show anything obvious. Symptoms might feeling full after just a few bites, bloating that lingers for hours, nausea after eating, burning in your upper stomach, acid reflux, and that heavy sensation where food just sits.
Learning to identify and track these comorbidities can completely change how you understand progress and treatment.

Neck Pain

The neck and inner ear are neurologically intertwined. The cervical spine contains a dense network of proprioceptive receptors that constantly inform the brain about head position and movement. These signals are integrated with vestibular input from the inner ear. When the neck is inflamed, tight, or asymmetrical, the brain receives conflicting balance information, which can amplify dizziness, ear pressure, and disequilibrium. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as cervicogenic dizziness.
In people with Ménière’s disease, ear pressure and inflammation can aggravate cervical nerves, while chronic neck tension can, in turn, worsen vestibular symptoms. Over time, many patients develop asymmetrical neck pain that reinforces this feedback loop.

How it looks in the clinic

In the clinic, this most often presents as long-standing, one-sided neck tightness on the same side as ear fullness, accompanied by a sense of imbalance rather than true spinning vertigo. Patients frequently report that their dizziness worsens with head movement, posture, prolonged desk work, or stress. Neck pain can also trigger headaches, migraines, and even vestibular or migraine-associated dizziness.

Does this sound like you?

You have a lot of one sided neck pain. Neck-driven dizziness typically feels like the head is “not quite on straight,” off-center, or unstable rather than spinning. It rarely causes the intense rotational vertigo seen in Ménière’s disease. Instead, it creates a sense of disorientation or imbalance that closely tracks neck movement and muscle tension.

What Can Help

Gentle neck care often makes a meaningful difference. Techniques like neck Gua Sha, light manual therapy, and stretching can help reduce cervical tension.

Vestibular Migraines

Vestibular migraine is a neurological condition in which migraine mechanisms affect the balance centers of the brain. Rather than originating in the inner ear, symptoms arise from altered sensory processing in the central nervous system. Because dizziness and vertigo are prominent features, vestibular migraine is one of the most commonly confused conditions with Ménière’s disease, and one of its most frequent comorbidities.

How it looks in the clinic

In the clinic, vestibular migraines often present like a migraine with foggy-headedness, motion sensitivity, light and sound sensitivity, and episodic dizziness that may or may not include spinning. Attacks can come on quickly and last anywhere from seconds to days. Some patients have classic migraine headaches, while others have minimal or no head pain at all, which makes diagnosis more difficult.

Compared to Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine symptoms tend to fluctuate more rapidly and leave patients feeling mentally “off” or visually overwhelmed rather than distinctly vertiginous.

Does this sound like you?

Your hearing is not too bad. Don’t have progressive hearing loss. Tinnitus or ear pressure may occur, but it is usually inconsistent and less pronounced. You may feel foggy-headed, visually overwhelmed, motion-sensitive, or unsteady, especially in busy environments or when moving your head. Light and sound sensitivity are common, and symptoms can come on quickly and last anywhere from minutes to days. If your dizziness feels more neurological than ear-driven, fluctuates rapidly, and leaves you feeling mentally “off” rather than spinning, vestibular migraine may be part of your picture—even if you also carry a Ménière’s diagnosis.

What Can Help

Vestibular migraines often respond best to calming inflammation and sensory overload. Ice caps and warm foot soaks can be especially helpful for reducing head pressure and migraine-related dizziness.

Learn More

Allergies, Autoimmune Activity, and Facial Inflammation

Although the research is not definitive, there is meaningful clinical and epidemiological evidence showing higher rates of allergic disease and autoimmune markers in people with Ménière’s disease. Allergies and immune activation increase mucosal swelling, sinus congestion, and facial inflammation. Because the inner ear exists within a rigid, confined space, even mild increases in inflammation or fluid pressure can significantly affect balance and auditory symptoms.

How it looks in the clinic

  • In practice, this often presents as worsening Ménière’s symptoms during allergy seasons or weather changes. Dizziness flares alongside sinus congestion, facial pressure, or immune reactions. Patients may notice ear fullness, louder tinnitus, or increased imbalance during times of heightened allergic or inflammatory activity.

Does this sound like you?

  • Your dizziness is aggravated during the summer and spring. You notice worsening ear fullness, louder tinnitus, sinus pressure, or imbalance during seasonal changes, illness, high pollen exposure, or periods of systemic inflammation. Symptoms may feel more congestive and pressure-based, and they often track with facial swelling, post-nasal drip, skin reactions, or other immune-related issues.

What Can Help

  • For immune-driven patterns, prevention matters as much as treatment. Seasonal prevention strategies such as reducing allergen exposure, supporting sinus drainage. Herbs and allergy pills can help
Learn More

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Gut Health, Inflammation, and Lymphatic Drainage

Ménière’s disease can be understood, in part, as an inflammatory condition. The gut plays a central role in regulating systemic inflammation, immune signaling, and lymphatic fluid balance. When digestion is impaired or the microbiome is disrupted, inflammatory signaling increases, lymphatic drainage slows, and fluid regulation throughout the body including the inner ear becomes less efficient.
Emerging research also suggests meaningful connections between the gut microbiome, sinus health, and ear inflammation.

How it looks in the clinic

Clinically, patients with a strong gut component often report bloating, heaviness after meals, irregular bowel movements, fatigue after eating, or food-triggered dizziness. Tongue coating changes and recurrent ear or sinus infections may also point toward microbiome imbalance. These patients frequently notice improvement in ear symptoms when dietary triggers are addressed.

Does this sound like you?

Your Ménière’s symptoms seem closely tied to digestion, food choices, or how your body feels after meals. People with gut-dominant Ménière’s disease often notice ear pressure, dizziness, or fogginess worsening after eating, especially with certain foods, large meals, or periods of poor digestion. Bloating, heaviness, fatigue after meals, irregular stools, or frequent food sensitivities are common clues.

What Can Help

Supporting digestion and the gut microbiome is foundational. Simple steps like identifying food triggers, eating regular meals, improving fiber intake, and supporting beneficial gut bacteria can lower systemic inflammation and improve fluid regulation.

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Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
By Will Sheppy, L.Ac
One of the most confusing parts of Treating Ménière’s disease is that it almost never shows up by itself. In most people, Ménière’s disease is often accompanied by other conditions that can also cause dizziness, pressure, or imbalance. When that happens, it becomes incredibly hard to tell what you’re actually feeling, what your true triggers are, and why something that helps one person doesn’t seem to help you.

Let’s go through some of these other conditions.

FAQ's

About Microgard
What is Microgard?
Microgard is a 16-herb formula evolved from the traditional digestive remedies Bao He Wan and Po Chai Pills, refined for functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion). It addresses multiple causes of persistent upset stomach at the same time, from poor motility to inflammation and gut-brain signaling.
Take 8–25 micro pills, 2–3 times daily, or follow your healthcare practitioner’s instructions. Because these are micro pills — much smaller than standard capsules or tablets — the dosage may sound high, but the tiny size makes them easy to swallow and adjust to your needs.
Each bottle contains 18 g of traditional micro pills. Since there are no preservatives, keep the bottle in a cool, dry place and refrigerate after opening. For best results, finish the bottle as soon as possible once opened.
If you eat a Standard American Diet, have chronic indigestion (functional dyspepsia) or other digestive symptoms, and have signs of gut dysbiosis like a thick tongue coating, Microgard is likely a good formula for you. If you are unsure about Microgard, contact a TCM professional (licensed acupuncturist) who can determine if it’s the best fit.
Yes. Microgard contains no additives or preservatives, only the 16 traditional herbs. Ingredients are sourced from authentic growing regions, verified by TCM botanical experts, and tested for purity, heavy metals, and pesticide residues at a Chinese FDA-certified lab.
Microgard is not suitable during pregnancy, or for people with Celiac Disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you are nursing or taking medications.
Many people notice reduced bloating and post-meal heaviness within 1–2 weeks. More complete resolution of functional dyspepsia symptoms develops over several months as digestive function rebalances.
Most digestive aids only target one problem acid blockers reduce acid, enzymes help with breakdown, probiotics support gut bacteria. Microgard does all three plus more: improving motility, calming inflammation, protecting the stomach lining, and regulating the gut-brain axis. That’s why it’s uniquely effective for complex conditions like functional dyspepsia.
Microgard is manufactured by Botanical Biohacking, using time-honored herbal methods combined with modern GMP-certified quality testing to ensure safety and potency.

References

Yang, X., Wang, Y., Bai, L., Miao, T., & Wen, X. (2023). Mechanism of action of Baohe pills in improving functional dyspepsia. MEDS Chinese Medicine, 5(7), 48–55. Clausius Scientific Press. https://doi.org/10.23977/medcm.2023.050707

Maideen N. M. P. (2023). Adverse Effects Associated with Long-Term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors. Chonnam medical journal, 59(2), 115–127. https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2023.59.2.115

Tu, Y., Luo, X., Liu, D., Li, H., Xia, H., Ma, C., Zhang, D., Yang, Y., Pan, X., Wang, T., Xia, Y., Dan, H., You, P., & Ye, X. (2022). Extracts of Poria cocos improve functional dyspepsia via regulating brain-gut peptides, immunity and repairing of gastrointestinal mucosa. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 95, 153875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153875

Chen, X. Y., Chen, H. M., Liu, Y. H., Zhang, Z. B., Zheng, Y. F., Su, Z. Q., Zhang, X., Xie, J. H., Liang, Y. Z., Fu, L. D., Lai, X. P., Su, Z. R., & Huang, X. Q. (2016). The gastroprotective effect of pogostone from Pogostemonis Herba against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 241(2), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370215600099

Zhen, B. X., Cai, Q., & Li, F. (2023). Chemical components and protective effects of Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam against acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. World journal of gastroenterology, 29(43), 5848–5864. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i43.5848

Lee, H.-A., Yoo, J.-H., Chung, Y., & Kim, O. (2017). Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation in human gastric epithelial AGS cells by the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. extracts. Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research, 18(3), 121–124. https://doi.org/10.12729/jbtr.2017.18.3.121

Wang, Q., Shen, Z. N., Zhang, S. J., Sun, Y., Zheng, F. J., & Li, Y. H. (2022). Protective effects and mechanism of puerarin targeting PI3K/Akt signal pathway on neurological diseases. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 1022053. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1022053

Zhao, H., Feng, Y. L., Wang, M., Wang, J. J., Liu, T., & Yu, J. (2022). The Angelica dahurica: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 896637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.896637

Feng, L., A, L., Li, H., Mu, X., Ta, N., Bai, L., Fu, M., & Chen, Y. (2023). Pharmacological Mechanism of Aucklandiae Radix against Gastric Ulcer Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experiment. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 59(4), 666. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59040666

Fu, X., Wang, Q., Kuang, H., & Pinghui, J. (2020). Mechanism of Chinese medicinal-medicated leaven for preventing and treating gastrointestinal tract diseases. Digestion, 101(6), 659–666. https://doi.org/10.1159/000493424

Microgard By Botanical BioHacking Close up

The Bottom Line on Microgard

If you’re ready to stop living with bloating, burning, and meals that leave you feeling weighed down, now is the perfect time to make a change. Microgard delivers comprehensive support for functional dyspepsia and chronic indigestion by addressing every system involved: inflammation, barrier repair, motility, and the gut-brain connection.

Don’t settle for band-aid solutions that only mask symptoms. Order Microgard today and take the first
step toward eating comfortably, restoring balance, and feeling like yourself again.

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