Chiropractic Care for Dizziness

If you’ve ever felt like you were spinning out of control, you may have experienced vertigo. Learn more about what causes it and how chiropractors can help.

How a Chiropractor Can Help Treat Dizziness

Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a safe, effective treatment for many conditions, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and dizziness.

Evidence suggests that chiropractic treatment may help deal with dizziness and vertigo. Many of the same principles used to treat other conditions, such as back pain and neck pain, can also be applied to treating vertigo and dizziness. If you are suffering from vertigo or dizziness, it may be worth considering chiropractic care as a possible treatment option.

Vertigo and Dizziness

Dizziness and vertigo can both cause a feeling of unsteadiness or lightheadedness. However, dizziness is generally less severe than vertigo and doesn't usually involve a loss of balance. Vertigo, on the other hand, often causes a spinning sensation and can make you feel like you're losing your balance.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a feeling of dizziness or spinning that can occur when you move your head too quickly, stand up too suddenly, or lie down in a supine position. It can also be caused by an inner ear infection, a concussion, or Meniere's disease. Symptoms of vertigo include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty balancing

What Is Dizziness?

Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or vertigo. It is caused by many things, including:

• Low blood sugar
• Dehydration
• Inner ear disorder

Dizziness can also be a symptom of more serious conditions such as a stroke or heart attack. If you experience dizziness, it is important to see a doctor to find out the exact cause.

Treatment for dizziness depends on the underlying condition. In many cases, simple lifestyle changes such as drinking more fluids and eating a balanced diet can help. If you have an inner ear disorder, your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve your symptoms.

What Causes Dizziness or Vertigo?

The most common cause of vertigo and dizziness is a condition called vestibular neuritis. This condition is caused by the inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for sending balance information to the brain. Vestibular neuritis usually only affects one ear and can often be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Other possible causes of vertigo and dizziness include:

Meniere's Disease

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It's caused by fluid building up in the inner ear, and often affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. There is no cure for Meniere's disease, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.

Vertigo is the most common symptom of Meniere's disease. It can cause a spinning sensation, as well as nausea and vomiting. Vertigo episodes can last for minutes or hours and are triggered by changes in head position.

Hearing loss is another common symptom of Meniere's disease. It usually starts as a mild, high-frequency loss but can eventually progress to a severe, low-frequency loss.

Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears that can be annoying and disruptive. It's often worse during episodes of vertigo.

Benign Positional Vertigo

Benign positional vertigo is a type of dizziness that occurs when your head is moved in certain positions. A problem with the inner ear usually causes it, although other conditions also can.

The most common symptom of benign positional vertigo is a feeling of dizziness or spinning when moving your head in certain positions. This can happen when you:

• Turn your head
• Lie down
• Sit up
• Look up or down

The dizziness usually lasts for a few seconds or minutes. In some cases, it may last for hours or days.

Benign positional vertigo is not dangerous and usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.

Migraines

A migraine is a type of headache that can cause intense, throbbing pain. Migraines are often accompanied by other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last for hours or even days and can be so severe that they interfere with your ability to carry out everyday activities.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is a condition that affects the inner ear. The labyrinth is a series of canals in the ear that helps with balance and hearing. When these become inflamed, it can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and dizziness. In some cases, labyrinthitis can also lead to nausea and vomiting. Treatment for labyrinthitis typically involves rest and over-the-counter medication to help relieve symptoms. In severe cases, labyrinthitis can require hospitalization.

Diagnosis

There are a few different ways that doctors can diagnose vertigo and dizziness. One way is to perform what’s called a Romberg test, where you stand with your feet together and your eyes closed. If you have vertigo, you will sway when you try to stand still.

Another way to diagnose vertigo is to do an ENG or electronystagmography test. This test measures your eye movements and can help determine if there is a problem with your inner ear.

Finally, your doctor may also order a CT scan or MRI to rule out any other potential causes of your dizziness. Once all of the testing is complete, your doctor can give you a proper diagnosis and help you find the best treatment option for your vertigo.

Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo & Dizziness

Treatment for vertigo and dizziness often includes vestibular rehabilitation therapy, designed to help the brain learn how to compensate for the loss of balance information from the affected ear. In some cases, medications may also be prescribed to help relieve symptoms.

Dizziness is a common condition that can be caused by many factors, including inner ear problems, medication side effects, and anxiety. Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for dizziness. It can help correct any alignment issues in the spine and neck vertebrae that may be contributing to the problem. Chiropractic care can also help relieve any muscle tension or pain that may be causing or worsening the dizziness.

The vestibular system is responsible for balance and helps to keep you steady as you move. When this system is not functioning properly, it can cause dizziness and other symptoms. Chiropractic care can help to improve the function of the vestibular system and help to reduce the symptoms of dizziness.

Another common cause of dizziness is migraines. These intense, throbbing headaches can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Chiropractic care can help relieve the pain and other symptoms associated with migraines.

If you are suffering from dizziness, see a chiropractor. Chiropractors can identify the underlying cause of your dizziness and provide treatment to help you feel better. If you are suffering from migraines, labyrinthitis, or vestibular dysfunction, chiropractic care can help you find relief.

Conclusion

If you're experiencing vertigo, seek medical attention. A variety of underlying conditions can cause vertigo, and a chiropractor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.