Acupuncture for a patient with whiplash-type injury.

ABSTRACT

A 69 year-old woman presented in the surgery because of a whiplash-type injury. Because of progressive headache and dizziness since the accident, and because she had developed rhinitis and intermittent flashes of the left visual field, she was admitted to the neurological department on suspicion of subdural haematoma and possible fracture of the skull. Neurological examination and a CT scan were normal and she was discharged. Because of persisting headaches, and dizziness, her own general practitioner decided to use acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture was given at points GB20 GB21 and SI16 bilaterally and directly over the site in the forehead, where she fell. After 6 weeks treatment, the dizziness disappeared, and after two additional treatments the rhinitis and headache disappeared. At follow-up 6 months after cessation of treatment, the patient had only intermittent dizziness, with no headaches, visual disturbances or rhinitis.