Have you ever noticed that some health issues seem to come out of nowhere when the seasons change? One day you’re fine, and the next you wake up with the room spinning, or half your face isn’t moving the way it should. It’s scary, and honestly, it often happens right when fall arrives.
If you’ve experienced vertigo or Bell’s palsy during autumn, you’re not imagining things—and from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, there’s a really clear reason why these conditions pop up more during this season. Let me explain what’s happening and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself.
The Fall Season’s Troublemaker: Wind
In TCM, we talk a lot about Wind—and I don’t just mean the breeze outside (though that’s part of it). Wind is actually considered one of the most important pathogenic factors in Chinese medicine. Think of it as an invisible force that can invade your body and wreak havoc, especially when your defenses are down.
Here’s what makes fall the perfect storm for Wind-related conditions:
The weather is unpredictable. One day it’s 75 degrees, the next it’s 50. You’re wearing a t-shirt in the afternoon and freezing by evening. These rapid temperature swings make your body work overtime to adapt, and that leaves you vulnerable.
Wind is literally everywhere. Those gusty autumn days? That’s not just atmospheric—in TCM, external Wind can actually penetrate your body through specific vulnerable points, especially on the back of your neck and face.
Your body is transitioning. Remember how we talked about autumn being a time when your Lung energy is already more vulnerable? Well, your Lungs control your body’s protective qi (your immune defense), and when that’s weakened, Wind can sneak right in.
What Exactly is Vertigo in TCM Terms?
Vertigo—that awful spinning, dizzy, off-balance feeling—is something I see a lot in my practice during the fall. In TCM, we call it “xuanyun,” and it’s usually caused by one of a few things:
Wind Attacking from the Outside
When external Wind (combined with Cold) invades your body through the back of your neck, it can rise up to your head and disrupt the normal flow of qi and blood. This creates that spinning, disoriented sensation. It often comes on suddenly—you felt fine yesterday, and today you can barely stand up without holding onto something.
Internal Wind Rising Up
Sometimes the Wind isn’t coming from outside—it’s generated internally. This happens when there’s an imbalance in your Liver energy (yes, your Liver affects way more than just digestion in TCM). When Liver yang rises unchecked, it can create what we call “internal Wind” that shoots up to your head, causing dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, and headaches.
Phlegm and Dampness Blocking the Clear Yang
Stay with me on this one—sometimes vertigo happens because there’s too much “gunk” in your system. We call it Phlegm-Dampness, and when it accumulates, it blocks the clear yang energy from rising to nourish your head and sensory organs. You feel foggy, dizzy, heavy, and nothing feels clear.
Fall’s damp, cool weather can aggravate this, especially if you’re eating too many cold, heavy, or dairy-rich foods.
Bell’s Palsy: When Wind Attacks Your Face
Bell’s palsy is one of those conditions that’s absolutely terrifying when it happens. You wake up and suddenly one side of your face won’t move properly—you can’t close your eye, your smile is crooked, maybe you’re drooling a bit. It’s scary.
In TCM, we call this “Wind Strike” or “facial paralysis due to Wind,” and here’s what we believe is happening:
External Wind-Cold invades the channels of your face. Your face has these energy channels running through it (meridians), and when Wind and Cold penetrate—usually through the back of your neck first—they can block the flow of qi and blood through the facial channels. When that flow gets interrupted, the muscles can’t function properly, and you get that paralysis.
Why Does This Happen More in Fall?
Think about it: the weather gets cooler, the wind picks up, and people often don’t adjust their clothing fast enough. Maybe you went out with wet hair. Maybe you sat by an open window or drove with the car window down on a chilly evening. Maybe you didn’t cover your neck when that first cold front came through.
These might seem like small things, but in TCM, these are exactly the moments when Wind-Cold can sneak into your body through those vulnerable acupuncture points on the back of your neck and behind your ears.
Here’s the thing that makes fall especially risky: your body’s protective qi is transitioning. Your Lung energy—which controls that protective barrier—is naturally weaker during this season. It’s like leaving your front door unlocked right when there are more burglars in the neighborhood.
The Warning Signs Your Body Gives You
Most people don’t just wake up with Bell’s palsy or severe vertigo out of nowhere. Your body usually sends signals first, but we often ignore them. Watch for:
- Stiffness or achiness in your neck and shoulders
- That feeling of “catching a chill” that doesn’t quite turn into a cold
- Slight dizziness or feeling off-balance (before it becomes full vertigo)
- Tingling or slight numbness anywhere on your face
- One-sided headaches
- Feeling more sensitive to wind or drafts than usual
If you’re noticing these signs, that’s your body waving a red flag. Don’t ignore it.
How to Protect Yourself This Fall
Okay, now for the good news—you’re not helpless here. There are really practical things you can do to protect yourself from Wind invasion:
1. Cover Your Neck (I’m Serious About This)
I know I sound like a broken record, but this is SO important. The back of your neck has specific acupuncture points that are literally called “Wind Gates” because they’re entry points for external Wind. When it’s breezy or cool outside:
- Wear a scarf
- Pull up your collar
- Don’t leave the house with wet hair
- Be mindful of sitting in drafts or near air conditioning vents
This one simple habit can prevent so many problems.
2. Keep Your Head and Ears Warm
Just like your neck, your ears are vulnerable to Wind invasion. If it’s chilly and windy, wear a hat or earmuffs. I know it might not be the most fashionable advice, but Bell’s palsy is definitely less fashionable.
3. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Try not to go from really hot environments to really cold ones quickly. When you’re all warmed up and sweaty, your pores are open—that’s when Wind can penetrate most easily. If you’re hot from exercising or being in a warm building, let yourself cool down gradually before going out into the cold.
4. Strengthen Your Protective Qi with Food
Remember, your Lung energy controls your protective barrier. Foods that support your Lungs include:
- Pears (cooked)
- White mushrooms
- Ginger tea (warming and protective)
- Bone broth soups
- Root vegetables
- Warming spices like cinnamon
And please, go easy on the cold, raw foods and icy drinks. They weaken your digestive fire and create more internal dampness.
5. Rest More
When you’re run down, stressed, or not sleeping enough, your protective qi weakens. Fall is asking you to slow down anyway—listen to that. Get to bed earlier, say no to some commitments, give your body the rest it needs to stay strong.
6. Move Your Qi
Gentle exercise that keeps your energy flowing is protective. Try:
- Walking in nature (but bundle up!)
- Gentle yoga or stretching
- Tai Chi or Qigong
- Anything that keeps your neck and shoulders loose and mobile
Stagnation in your neck and shoulders creates vulnerability for Wind to settle in.
What to Do If It’s Already Happening
If you’re experiencing vertigo or you suspect Bell’s palsy is starting, please:
- See a healthcare provider right away, especially with Bell’s palsy. Early intervention makes a huge difference in recovery.
- Keep yourself warm and out of wind. No drafts, no air conditioning blowing on you, keep your neck covered even indoors if needed.
- Get acupuncture as soon as possible. I’m not just saying this because it’s what I do—acupuncture can be incredibly effective for both vertigo and Bell’s palsy, especially when we catch it early. We can help move the Wind out, restore proper qi and blood flow, and support your body’s healing.
For Bell’s palsy specifically, there’s actually good research showing that acupuncture combined with conventional treatment leads to better recovery outcomes than conventional treatment alone. The sooner you start, the better.
How Acupuncture Helps
When you come in for treatment, here’s what we’re doing:
For Vertigo:
- Expelling Wind and clearing the head
- Calming the Liver if there’s internal Wind rising
- Resolving Phlegm-Dampness if that’s the root cause
- Strengthening your Spleen and Kidney energy for long-term balance
- Using specific points that stop the spinning sensation and restore equilibrium
For Bell’s Palsy:
- Expelling Wind-Cold from the facial channels
- Restoring the flow of qi and blood to your facial muscles
- Reducing inflammation
- Stimulating nerve regeneration
- Preventing long-term complications
The earlier we start treatment, the faster and more complete your recovery tends to be.
The Bottom Line
Vertigo and Bell’s palsy aren’t just random bad luck—they’re your body telling you that Wind has gotten past your defenses. And fall, with all its unpredictable weather, gusty days, and temperature swings, creates the perfect conditions for this to happen.
The good news? You have so much control here. Bundle up. Cover your neck and ears. Rest more. Eat warming foods. Pay attention to your body’s whisper before it has to shout.
And if you’re already dealing with vertigo or Bell’s palsy, know that you don’t have to just wait it out. There’s a lot we can do to help your body heal faster and more completely.
Let’s Keep You Balanced This Fall
If you’re experiencing any dizziness, vertigo, facial symptoms, or you just want to be proactive about protecting yourself this season, I’d love to help. We can create a treatment plan that addresses your specific vulnerability and keeps you healthy as the weather changes.
Don’t wait until Wind catches you off guard—let’s strengthen your defenses now.
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