Can Chiropractic Care Help Treat Vertigo?

Vertigo, a sensation of dizziness or spinning, is a condition that affects one in five people at least occasionally, according to a recent study. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sweating, vertigo can be debilitating and disrupt daily life by making simple tasks challenging.

Vertigo is a sensation that feels like the world around you is spinning or moving, causing dizziness, imbalance, and lightheadedness. It’s not a disease itself but a symptom of various underlying issues.

The causes of vertigo can differ from person to person and commonly include:

• Arthritis
• Poor posture, joint issues, or disc issues
• Muscle strain, trauma, or inflammation in the neck
• Side effects of certain medications, like antibiotics or anti-inflammatories
• Medical conditions such as a stroke, diabetes, or arrhythmia
• Extended periods of bed rest
• Ear infections or conditions like shingles near the ear
• Issues like low blood pressure or hyperventilation
• Other health conditions including multiple sclerosis or ataxia

For those experiencing vertigo, understanding the underlying cause can help in finding effective ways to manage and treat the condition.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Vertigo?

Chiropractic care is not an effective solution for all types and causes of vertigo, however it has been proven to help in cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and cervicogenic vertigo. Other types of vertigo are not best suited for chiropractic care.

To determine the type or causes of vertigo, a medical doctor or chiropractor can evaluate your health history, run certain balance and coordination tests, examine eye movements, test the neck’s range of motion, observe your posture, and palpate the neck and soft tissues.

BPPV is a condition in which calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged from their normal positioning and end up in the semicircular canals, which sense rotation of the head. So, when you change your head position while the crystals are dislodged, it affects your balance and can lead to dizziness. Chiropractors can be trained in a specific technique called the Epley Maneuver that can help relieve the symptoms caused by BPPV. The Epley Maneuver involves a series of specific head movements to help get the calcium crystals back in their correct position.

Cervicogenic vertigo can be caused by neck issues including muscle strain, trauma, or inflammation. Chiropractors are trained in addressing these issues. The cervical spine contributes to balance and coordination, so if you’re experiencing issues in this area, it can sometimes lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Targeted chiropractic adjustments and techniques can often be a solution to help restore balance and improve your symptoms.

How Can a Chiropractor Treat BPPV or Cervicogenic Vertigo?

If you’re experiencing vertigo symptoms and seek chiropractic care, a practitioner would start by running through your medical history to rule out any conditions or medications that could be causing your symptoms that chiropractic care would not be effective for. Then, if they determine you have BPPV or cervicogenic vertigo, they’ll take you through an exam to determine the best course of treatment, which could include the following:

Cervical Spine Manipulation

Chiropractors focus on correcting misalignments in the neck and spine to optimize nervous system function. Misalignments in these areas can disrupt the nervous system and affect balance, potentially leading to vertigo. These adjustments can positively impact your body’s ability to maintain equilibrium and reduce the sensations of dizziness and imbalance associated with vertigo. By correcting these misalignments, chiropractors can help reduce symptoms and improve overall stability.

Your chiropractor will determine what specific segments need to be adjusted in your spine. Sometimes these adjustments are done manually by the chiropractor and sometimes tools are used to help adjust the spine. By getting the joints moving better and reducing muscle tension, this can help the neck function optimally which can lead to better balance and potentially decrease vertigo symptoms.

Epley Maneuver

The Epley Maneuver is a specialized technique for treating BPPV. It involves a series of precise head and body movements designed to reposition displaced inner ear crystals, which are often responsible for causing dizziness. This maneuver helps to alleviate vertigo by helping to ensure that the calcium particles are correctly positioned.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Chiropractors may recommend vestibular rehabilitation exercises to improve balance and strengthen the vestibular system. This can include balance training and specific head and eye movement exercises. These therapies help the brain better interpret and adapt to signals from the inner ear, reducing dizziness and improving overall balance.

Posture Correction

Poor posture can contribute to vertigo by straining the neck and upper back, which can affect your balance. Chiropractors can assess and correct posture imbalances using various techniques to relieve strain, strengthen weakened muscles, and support better alignment. Improving posture helps enhance overall balance which can lead to reduced vertigo symptoms.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care as a Treatment for BPPV or Cervicogenic Vertigo

When appropriate, opting for chiropractic care as a natural treatment for BPPV or cervicogenic vertigo can offer key benefits:

A holistic approach: By treating BPPV or cervicogenic vertigo with chiropractic care you can work to address the root cause of the vertigo and help to prevent it from happening again. You may also notice that it helps with other symptoms or dysfunctions, such as tightness within the body, joint pain, headaches, and more.

Personalized care: Chiropractic care is tailored to each individual’s needs. After a thorough assessment, chiropractors create personalized treatment plans that address the underlying causes of BPPV and cervicogenic vertigo. This customized approach helps ensure the treatment is effective and specific to the patient’s unique condition.

If you’re interested in working with a LifeClinic chiropractor, you can learn more and request an appointment here.

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