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J u l y 2 3 - 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 | R o m e , I t a l y

Note:

TRADITIONAL

MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE

International Conference on

Journal of General Internal Medicine

ISSN: 2591-7951

Volume 2

Traditional 2018

ACUPUNCTURE FOR PRESSURE

EQUALIZATION PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED

BY DIVERS

Janneke Vermeulen

Mermaid Medicine®, Netherlands

he most common issue experienced by divers is pressure equalization

problems of the middle ear. This problem is mostly caused by ear, nose

and throat (ENT) disorders (nearly 70% of all diving medical problems are ENT

related). Having ENT disorders when being submerged can be very risky and

generally it is strongly recommended not to dive with them, and in specific

cases it can even be an absolute contraindication for diving. This presentation

clarifies why pressure equalization of the middle ear is needed, how you can

equalize and which complications can arise in case of certain ENT disorders.

Indications for acupuncture and its effects will be discussed concisely,

and some less frequent causes of pressure equalization problems will be

highlighted. Acupuncture can contribute to trouble-free pressure equalization

of the middle ear by providing a free air passage in the Eustachian tube.

Janneke Vermeulen is a Physiotherapist, Acupunctur-

ist, Chinese Herbalist, Chinese Master Face Reader

and specialist in Diving Medicine. She did internships

in hospitals in China in 1994 and 2004. She had the

opportunity to attend several ENT courses at the

Scott Haldane Foundation, which trains physicians

internationally to become diving medical doctors. In

2006, she received her PADI Divemaster license. She

owns an acupuncture and physiotherapy practice in

The Hague, the Netherlands and is author of “Diving

Medical Acupuncture” published by Singing Dragon.

BIOGRAPHY

Janneke Vermeulen, Arch Gen Intern Med 2018, Volume 2 | DOI: 10.4066/2591-7951-C1-002