Should I See a Chiropractor for Vertigo Issues?

Chiropractic care has proven extremely efficient in treating back, neck, and knee pain, or in reducing inner ear’s problems, including hearing concerns or ear infections. But, should you see a chiropractor for Vertigo issues? 

In this blog, we’ll look at what Vertigo is, and how it compares to simple dizziness. We’ll also discuss how getting a regular chiropractic adjustment for Vertigo can be an efficient way to keep its symptoms under control.

What Is Dizziness

Most of us feel dizzy from time to time. It can be anywhere from an uncomfortable sensation to a debilitating ailment. At one end of the spectrum, this is a slight light-headedness that only lasts for a few seconds. However, in extreme cases, the feeling of dizziness can be so strong that you pretty much can’t control your movements at all.

Dizziness can have numerous causes like low blood pressure or low blood sugar. Alcohol intoxication, migraines, and certain types of poisoning are just a few more examples. And while dizziness is experienced by approximately 20-40% of the population, 7-10% of the cases are diagnosed as Vertigo.

As you will see below, seeing your chiropractor for Vertigo is highly recommended, as your doctor will help you keep this condition under control.

What Is Vertigo 

Before looking into what your chiropractor can do for Vertigo, let’s first look at what Vertigo actually is.

Vertigo is a very intense form of dizziness that affects many people at some point in life. The first time someone experiences Vertigo it can be a terrifying experience as it manifests suddenly, causing complete loss of balance.

The person affected won’t be able to stand up, let alone walk, and may even have symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or cold shivers. As a matter of fact, intense dizziness and Vertigo account for about 2-3% of emergency department visits in the US. 

A sudden attack of Vertigo, or any type of extreme dizziness, must be taken seriously. Apart from the causes listed above, some other very serious underlying conditions may be the culprit. 

Stroke, brain tumors, brain injury, MS, and similar potential ailments need to be looked into before discarding them. These serious causes are not as common, but if a person has them, early diagnosis is crucial. That’s why it’s always a good idea to visit an emergency room the first time you experience a sudden onset of extreme dizziness.

The good news is that most bouts of dizziness diagnosed as Vertigo belong to the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV type. Other than affecting the patient’s life quality, this type of ailment is harmless. 

Can a Chiropractor Fix Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

Curious to see what your chiropractor can do for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

BPPV occurs when the tiny calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear loosen and slip into one of the semicircular canals. When this happens, false signals are sent to the brain that either the person or the space around them is moving, when they are, in fact, not. The false spinning sensation usually lasts only a few minutes, but changes in the head position can trigger it multiple times a day. 

It can happen, for example, when you are bending over to pick something from the floor. Even just turning in bed from one side to another may induce an episode. The whirling sometimes becomes intense enough to cause nausea and vomiting. 

Once diagnosed, usually by doing a simple Dix Hallpike Maneuver carried out by your experienced chiropractors, the treatment of BPPV is very straightforward. If at the hospital, patients may be given anti-nausea medications, some hormone suppressants, corticosteroids, and even anticonvulsants. The issue is all these medications come with unwanted side effects. 

Chiropractic care is well established in treating inner ear disorders ranging from tinnitus, hearing problems, motion sickness, and, yes...Vertigo. When it comes to chiropractic adjustments for Vertigo, your chiropractor will be able to help you ease BPPV by carrying out well-established treatments such as the Epley or the Semont Maneuvers. In most cases, relief is either immediate or happens shortly after your visit. 

Your Chiropractor may also teach you Brandt-Daroff exercises to prevent future episodes. These exercises will take some time to learn, but when carried out correctly and consistently they’ll prove helpful. 

But what if your Vertigo is not BPPV, or it’s caused by other inner ear problems?

Come to our Los Gatos Chiropractic Clinic, and we’ll be able to help with these as well. With us, you are in safe and caring hands.

What Can a Chiropractor Do For Other Types Of Vertigo And Inner Ear Problems?

Some other types of Vertigo such as Meniere’s Disease and Labyrinthitis are caused not by displaced crystals but by fluid accumulation in the inner ear. 

This part of the human anatomy is innervated by the cervical (upper neck) vertebrae. Because of our modern lifestyle and resulting posture problems, misalignment (subluxation) of the upper cervical vertebra is very common. 

When misaligned, your cervical vertebrae can’t function properly, affecting all the organs and muscles it innervates. Proper fluid drainage within the inner ear is helped greatly by healthy cervical vertebrae. 

After pinpointing the problematic subluxations, your chiropractor will expertly and safely adjust your neck to promote proper fluid drainage in the inner ear. This will, of course, help with both Vertigo and other inner ear complaints. 

Remember, these adjustments are painless and very safe! In fact, you may become a fan of the release feeling experienced after each chiropractic manipulation.

Keeping the upper cervical spine healthy and well-aligned will assist the healing of many other existing problems as well as prevent future ones. For example some people suffer from “cervicogenic” headaches. Even though these aches are felt in the head, they stem from the neck. 

If you keep up with your chiropractic routine, your upper neck will stay in correct alignment and all these and other existing or potential issues will be prevented. 

Seeing a Chiropractor For Vertigo, Final Thoughts

Both BPPV and other types of Vertigo are conditions with the tendency to recur, mostly in elderly people. As we age our bodily functions (such as loose crystals and fluid build-up) in the inner ear don’t work as well as before. This is why seeing your chiropractor for regular adjustments is highly beneficial.

With regular adjustments, your cervicals will stay aligned easily, eliminating future episodes of Vertigo and other problems caused by upper neck vertebrae subluxations. This will lead to better life quality and overall health.

If you have problems with dizziness or Vertigo and would like to give chiropractic care a try, just give our chiropractic services a try.  All new patients are welcome to contact us either online or by giving us a call.

And for more articles like this one, please follow our blog, or check out these posts:

• Can a Chiropractor Help With Scoliosis And Posture Problems?

• Detox Symptoms After Chiropractic Adjustments

• How To find a Chiropractor You Can Trust