Acupuncture
A traditional Chinese medical approach, acupuncture is one complementary and alternative medicine therapy that has been studied as a treatment option for Ménière's disease. Studies on the use of acupuncture to treat vertigo demonstrate a beneficial effect for persons with this disease. While the optimal number and frequency of treatments has not been determined, all types of acupuncture studied showed benefit. Acupuncture has a positive effect in both acute episodes of vertigo in those without Ménière's disease and in patients who have had Ménière's disease for many years.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
An additional adjunctive treatment option to consider for patients with residual disequilibrium is vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular rehabilitation is designed to desensitize or retrain the balance system response through a series of exercises and activities supervised by a physical or occupational therapist. This rehabilitation may improve balance in patients with Ménière's disease who have undergone medical or surgical intervention used to treat vertigo. Patients who have significant balance problems occurring between acute vertigo episodes may also benefit from vestibular rehabilitation.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical intervention should be the last resort to treat Ménière's disease due to the higher risk involved with any surgical procedure and the potential adverse effect on hearing. Endolymphatic sac decompression surgery involves removing a portion of the mastoid bone, resulting in decompression of the sac adjacent to the sigmoid sinus. This procedure has been used for more than 40 years to control vertigo and has the advantage of preserving hearing. However, the benefit of this procedure is now somewhat controversial and possibly related to a placebo effect. Researchers also report positive results with the use of tenotomy surgery, which involves severing tendons to the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in the middle ear.
No surgical procedure should be considered without the recommendation of an otolaryngology specialist. The decision should be made based on the severity of the disease and its effect on the patient, weighed against the risks involved in such an invasive treatment option.