When you experience vertigo, your first thought probably goes to your inner ear. While that’s often part of the puzzle, it’s not always the full story. Did you know that the alignment of the top bones in your neck plays a critical role in your body’s balance system? If your spine is misaligned, it can send confusing signals to your brain, resulting in a condition known as cervicogenic dizziness. This is why a truly effective chiropractic treatment for vertigo involves a comprehensive look at your body’s entire structure. It’s about finding the true source of the problem, not just chasing the symptoms. Let’s explore how this approach can provide lasting relief.
Vertigo can make you feel like you're spinning on a merry-go-round. But unlike a ride at the park, vertigo is anything but fun. Visiting a chiropractor for vertigo and dizziness can help relieve symptoms.
Vertigo is often described as dizziness. It can be caused by a range of conditions, including migraine, pregnancy, neck and back injuries, ear infections and inner ear disorders.
The most common type of vertigo, called peripheral vertigo, is usually caused by the following condition — benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). With BPPV, the tiny gravity-sensing crystals in your ear become dislodged. This can lead to dizziness or a spinning motion when you position your head a certain way.
Vertigo may also be caused by a condition called cervicogenic dizziness. Cervicogenic dizziness can occur when the upper part of your spine is injured or inflamed, resulting in dizziness and unsteadiness. That's because the upper portion of your spine, called the cervical spine, affects coordination and balance.
Depending on the cause, vertigo may last only a few seconds or minutes. However, for some people, vertigo endures for months. Although one vertigo attack in itself usually isn't serious, it can lead to falls or be dangerous while driving. These attacks can also significantly impact your quality of life.
Often, the sensation of vertigo starts deep within your inner ear, which houses your body's balance system. The most frequent culprit is a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This happens when tiny, gravity-sensing crystals in your ear get dislodged and move into a part of the ear where they don't belong. When you move your head in certain ways—like rolling over in bed or tilting your head back—these crystals shift, sending confusing signals to your brain. The result is a sudden, intense, but usually brief, spinning spell that can be quite disorienting and unsettling.
It might surprise you to learn that your neck can be a primary source of dizziness. This is known as cervicogenic dizziness, and it occurs when the upper part of your spine is injured, inflamed, or misaligned. Your cervical spine plays a critical role in communicating with your brain to maintain coordination and balance. If the vertebrae in your neck are out of place, they can interfere with these signals, leading to feelings of unsteadiness and dizziness. Addressing these structural issues is key, as proper alignment helps ensure your brain receives the correct information to keep you balanced and stable.
While inner ear and neck problems are major contributors, vertigo can also stem from a variety of other health issues. Conditions like severe migraines, inflammation of the nerves that connect the ear to the brain, and even problems with your neck muscles can disrupt your body's equilibrium. Understanding these less common, but still significant, causes can help pinpoint the true source of your dizziness.
Have you ever felt dizzy after getting over a cold or flu? You might have been experiencing labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection that often follows a viral illness. The infection causes inflammation in a delicate part of the inner ear called the labyrinth, which is essential for hearing and balance. This inflammation can disrupt the signals being sent to your brain, leading to vertigo, hearing loss, and a general feeling of being off-balance. While it usually resolves on its own, the symptoms can be severe and significantly impact your daily activities.
Your sense of balance relies on a constant, clear line of communication between your inner ear and your brain. When the nerve responsible for transmitting this information becomes inflamed—a condition known as vestibular neuritis—that communication breaks down. This disruption can cause sudden and severe vertigo, often accompanied by nausea and difficulty walking. Unlike BPPV, this type of dizziness isn't usually triggered by movement and can last for several days, making it crucial to identify and manage the underlying nerve-related issue.
A sudden jolt or blow to the head from a car accident or sports injury can have lasting effects on your sense of balance. Trauma like whiplash or a concussion can easily dislodge the crystals in your inner ear, triggering BPPV and leading to recurring episodes of dizziness. This is why it's so important to seek a thorough evaluation after any head trauma, even if you feel fine initially. Addressing the root cause of post-injury vertigo can help you recover your stability and prevent future falls. If you've experienced auto injuries, getting checked for underlying issues is a vital step.
Just like other parts of our bodies, the delicate structures of the inner ear can change as we age. Over time, these changes can make older adults more susceptible to balance disorders and BPPV. The tiny crystals can become dislodged more easily, and the overall balance system may not function as efficiently as it once did. This makes vertigo a common complaint among seniors and a significant factor in their risk of falling. Recognizing that age can play a role is the first step toward finding effective ways to manage symptoms and maintain independence.
Most people with vertigo experience a spinning or tilting sensation. Other symptoms may include:
Vertigo can feel scary, but know that a chiropractor can help. Here's how:
A chiropractor can address the root cause of your vertigo and apply techniques tailored to your symptoms.
First, your chiropractor will ask questions to learn more about your symptoms and concerns. These questions help them determine the most effective care plan for you. They might also perform X-rays or neurological tests with your consent. At Lazar Spinal Care, we use state-of-the-art technology to pinpoint any spinal issues causing vertigo.
Once your chiropractor identifies the cause, they can use special techniques to help your body heal and regain balance. For example, if your inner ear is causing vertigo, a chiropractor can use gentle movements to help reposition the crystals in your ears. They might also teach you easy exercises or stretches you can do on your own to relieve vertigo symptoms and help prevent them from recurring.
Chiropractic care involves correcting a misaligned spine. By helping your spine get back in its proper position, you can experience improved balance and relief from dizziness.
For example, if vertigo results from inflammation or poor posture, you might benefit from Quantum Spinal Mechanics (QSM3). QSM3 is a gentle approach that focuses on realigning the upper cervical spine, which helps restore balance to your entire body. QSM3 can also help address vertigo caused by BPPV by helping get everything back in its proper position.
Misaligned vertebrae, called subluxation, can put stress on your central nervous system and affect its ability to process sensory input. This can lead to dizziness and spinning sensations. By realigning your spine, a chiropractor helps take pressure off your nervous system, restoring its function and your sense of balance.
A balanced body is a healthy body. When your spine is aligned and your body balanced, you can experience less muscle tension, inflammation and nerve compression. Your brain can focus on healing and repairing the cause of vertigo rather than be distracted by spine-related pain. In this way, chiropractic methods promote natural healing. You won't have to rely on medications to find relief from vertigo.
Stress and anxiety can impact how your inner ear functions and transmits information to your brain, worsening vertigo. Fortunately, a trip to the chiropractor can help. You'll experience tension relief and relaxation when a chiropractor realigns your spine. You'll also have less pain, which can help you feel uplifted and ready to tackle anything.
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To effectively treat vertigo, you first have to find out what’s causing it. A chiropractor won’t just start making adjustments without a clear picture of your health. Your first visit will involve a detailed conversation about your health history, your specific symptoms, and your daily life. This is followed by a comprehensive physical and neurological exam to pinpoint the source of your dizziness. This careful diagnostic process ensures that the care you receive is tailored specifically to your body’s needs, moving you closer to lasting relief instead of just managing symptoms.
The goal is to determine whether your vertigo is coming from an issue in your inner ear, a misalignment in your upper neck, or another underlying condition. By taking the time to understand the complete picture, your chiropractor can create a precise and effective plan. This often involves a series of specific tests designed to check your balance, eye movements, and how your body responds to changes in position, giving clear clues about the root cause of the problem.
One of the most common tests a chiropractor will use to diagnose BPPV is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. While the name sounds complex, the test is quite simple and painless. During this test, your chiropractor will gently move you from a seated to a lying position while turning your head to one side. This specific movement is designed to trigger the spinning sensation if it’s caused by displaced crystals in your inner ear. The chiropractor will carefully watch your eyes for tiny, involuntary movements, which provides a clear sign that BPPV is the culprit.
Beyond the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, your chiropractor will likely perform other tests to assess your overall balance and coordination. These evaluations help determine how well your nervous system is communicating with your body's balance centers. You might be asked to walk in a straight line, stand on one foot, or follow an object with your eyes without moving your head. These simple actions provide valuable information about the connection between your inner ear, your eyes, and your spine, helping to confirm the source of your dizziness and rule out other potential issues.
Sometimes, a physical exam needs to be supplemented with more detailed imaging to get a complete understanding of what's happening. Depending on your symptoms and health history, your chiropractor may recommend X-rays or other advanced neurological tests. These tools can reveal subtle misalignments in your spine, particularly in the upper neck, that could be compressing nerves and contributing to your vertigo. Getting this detailed view ensures that your treatment plan is built on a foundation of precise, objective data about your body's unique structure and function.
At Lazar Spinal Care, we go a step further with our NeuroBioStructural Analysis. This comprehensive approach allows us to uncover the root cause of your health challenges, including vertigo. We use advanced diagnostic tools like PostureIQ™ and Insight™ neurological scans to get a precise look at your spinal alignment and nervous system function. This process helps us see exactly how your body is structured and where the stress is located. By identifying the primary issue, we can create a customized care plan designed to correct the problem for good, rather than just chasing symptoms.
Once your chiropractor has a clear diagnosis, they can begin treatment using specific, gentle techniques designed to address the source of your vertigo. Unlike general chiropractic adjustments, these methods are highly targeted. If your vertigo is caused by BPPV, the focus will be on guiding the inner ear crystals back into place. If the issue stems from your neck, the techniques will aim to restore proper alignment and relieve nerve pressure. The key is that the treatment is never one-size-fits-all; it’s a precise response to the findings from your initial examination.
For vertigo caused by BPPV, the most effective treatments are canalith repositioning procedures. These are not adjustments in the traditional sense but rather a series of controlled, gentle movements of your head and body. The goal of these maneuvers is to use gravity to guide the loose calcium crystals out of the sensitive semicircular canals of your inner ear and into an area where they no longer cause dizziness. These procedures are highly effective and can often provide immediate relief from the spinning sensations associated with BPPV.
The Epley maneuver is one of the most well-known and widely used techniques for treating BPPV. Your chiropractor will guide you through a sequence of four specific head and body positions, holding each one for about 30 seconds. This carefully choreographed movement systematically shifts the dislodged crystals through the inner ear canal until they settle back into their proper place. Many people experience significant relief after just one or two sessions, making it a powerful tool for quickly resolving vertigo symptoms and restoring their sense of balance.
The Semont maneuver is another highly effective repositioning technique used to treat BPPV. While it also aims to move the inner ear crystals, it involves a different set of movements than the Epley maneuver. During this procedure, your chiropractor will quickly move you from a seated position to lying on your side, and then to the opposite side. This rapid motion helps to dislodge the crystals and move them out of the affected canal. Your chiropractor will choose the best maneuver for you based on which inner ear canal is affected.
If your vertigo is diagnosed as cervicogenic dizziness, meaning it originates from the neck, treatment will focus on that area. Tight muscles and misalignments in your upper cervical spine can send faulty signals to your brain's balance centers. Your chiropractor may use soft tissue and muscle release techniques to reduce tension in the neck and shoulders. This can be combined with gentle adjustments, like those used in the Quantum Spinal Mechanics (QSM3) method, to correct spinal alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and restore clear communication between your neck and brain.
When it comes to treating vertigo, especially cases caused by BPPV, chiropractic care has a remarkable track record of success. Because these techniques directly address the mechanical root of the problem, many patients experience rapid and lasting relief. Unlike treatments that only mask the symptoms, chiropractic care aims to correct the underlying issue, whether it's displaced crystals in the inner ear or a misalignment in the cervical spine. This solution-focused approach is why so many people find that their world finally stops spinning after just a few visits.
The numbers speak for themselves. BPPV is a major cause of dizziness, accounting for about 20% of all cases. The good news is that it responds exceptionally well to chiropractic care. Research shows that the vast majority of people with BPPV feel significantly better after just one to three treatment sessions. In fact, about 80% of patients report being completely free of symptoms within three to four treatments. These statistics highlight just how effective canalith repositioning maneuvers are at providing fast and definitive relief from vertigo.
When you’re dealing with vertigo, you might be tempted to reach for medication to stop the spinning. While certain drugs can temporarily reduce the sensation of dizziness, they often come with side effects like drowsiness and, more importantly, they don’t fix the underlying problem. Medication acts as a temporary patch, quieting the symptoms without addressing what’s causing them in the first place. Chiropractic care offers a different path—one that focuses on identifying and correcting the root mechanical issue for long-term results.
The core philosophy of chiropractic care is to find and fix the source of the problem. If your vertigo is caused by loose crystals in your ear or a misaligned vertebra in your neck, no amount of medication will put them back where they belong. A chiropractor uses specific physical maneuvers and adjustments to correct these mechanical issues directly. This approach not only resolves the symptoms but also helps restore your body's natural function and balance, reducing the likelihood of the problem returning and allowing you to get back to your life without relying on medication.
Knowing what to expect can make your treatment experience much more comfortable. Your chiropractic sessions for vertigo will be gentle and controlled. Your chiropractor will explain every step of the process before they begin, whether it's a repositioning maneuver or a spinal adjustment. After the session, they will give you clear instructions on what to do at home to support your recovery. The goal is to make you an active partner in your healing journey, ensuring you feel confident and cared for every step of the way.
It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit dizzy immediately after a treatment session for vertigo. When repositioning maneuvers are performed or adjustments are made, your brain and inner ear have to recalibrate to the new, correct information they are receiving. This brief period of heightened dizziness is usually a sign that the treatment is working. The sensation typically fades quickly, and as your body adapts, you should begin to feel a significant improvement in your overall balance and a reduction in your vertigo symptoms.
Your care doesn't end when you leave the clinic. To support your recovery and strengthen your balance system, your chiropractor will likely recommend specific home exercises. This is known as vestibular rehabilitation. These simple exercises are designed to help your brain adapt to and resolve any lingering dizziness. Consistently performing these movements at home can speed up your recovery, improve your stability, and help prevent future episodes of vertigo, empowering you to maintain your progress long after your treatment sessions are complete.
A trustworthy chiropractor is committed to your overall well-being, and that includes recognizing when your condition requires a different type of specialist. If your vertigo does not respond to chiropractic care or if your symptoms suggest an underlying issue outside the scope of chiropractic, you will be referred to the appropriate medical professional, such as an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. This collaborative approach ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective care for your specific condition, putting your health and safety first.
Deciding whether to see a chiropractor or an ENT for vertigo can be confusing, but it often comes down to the likely source of your symptoms. An ENT specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat and is the right choice if you suspect an infection, Meniere's disease, or another medical condition. However, if your vertigo is triggered by head movements, accompanied by neck pain, or started after an injury, a chiropractor is an excellent place to start. They specialize in the structural and neurological systems that govern balance.
An upper cervical chiropractor, in particular, has advanced training in the intricate relationship between the top of your spine and your brain's balance centers. At Lazar Spinal Care, we can determine if your problem is something we can fix after just one visit. If your vertigo is stemming from a structural issue, we can develop a plan to correct it. If not, we will guide you to the right specialist. The first step is a thorough evaluation to find the true cause, so you can stop spinning and start healing. You can request an appointment with us to get started.
No one should have to endure vertigo and the feeling of sickness it can bring. Chiropractic care can help relieve symptoms, promote wellness and help you get your life back.
If you're looking for a chiropractor to relieve vertigo symptoms in Ann Arbor, reach out to us at Lazar Spinal Care. We use techniques like QSM3 that are pain-free and do not involve any popping, cracking or twisting. When you visit our office, we'll make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your entire visit.
Our compassionate team is ready to listen to your needs and determine how we can help you feel better. Request an appointment today.
To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Ann Arbor office at 734-274-5107 You can also click the button below.
Will the chiropractic adjustments for vertigo hurt? Not at all. Many people associate chiropractic care with cracking or popping, but the techniques used for vertigo are incredibly gentle. For issues like BPPV, we use slow, controlled movements to guide the crystals in your inner ear back into place. If your dizziness stems from a neck misalignment, we use precise, low-force methods like QSM3 that don't involve any twisting or sudden movements. Your comfort and safety are the top priority.
How many sessions will I need before I start feeling better? This really depends on the root cause of your vertigo. If you have BPPV, the condition caused by displaced inner ear crystals, it's common to feel significant relief after just one to three sessions. For dizziness related to a more complex spinal or nerve issue, it might take a bit longer as your body heals and realigns. We'll give you a clear idea of what to expect after your first comprehensive evaluation.
Is it normal to feel a little dizzy right after a treatment? Yes, and it's actually a good sign. Feeling a brief wave of dizziness after a repositioning maneuver or an adjustment means your body is recalibrating. Your brain is processing the new, correct information from your inner ear and nervous system. This sensation usually passes quickly and is a normal part of the healing process as your body finds its new sense of balance.
How is this different from just taking medication for my dizziness? Medication can sometimes offer temporary relief by masking the sensation of dizziness, but it doesn't fix the underlying mechanical problem. Our approach is to find and correct the source of the issue, whether it's a misaligned vertebra in your neck or displaced crystals in your ear. By addressing the root cause, we aim for a lasting solution so you don't have to rely on medication to get through your day.
What if my vertigo isn't something a chiropractor can fix? Your health is our primary concern. Our thorough diagnostic process is designed to determine the precise cause of your vertigo. If we find that your condition is due to an issue outside the scope of chiropractic care, such as an infection or another medical condition, we will refer you to the right specialist, like an ENT. We are committed to making sure you get the exact care you need.