Vertigo is similar to dizziness but doesn’t feel the same. It usually includes feeling dizzy, but it also affects balance and makes it seem like your environment is spinning. Some people describe it as feeling similar to motion sickness. It usually worsens if you stand, walk, or change positions.
A variety of issues can cause vertigo. It’s almost always a symptom of an underlying problem that needs to be addressed, even if it’s not serious. Vertigo can interfere with your quality of life, but it’s often easy to resolve.
Living with Vertigo
Although vertigo might not be serious, it affects your quality of life. It’s unsafe to do most things when you feel off balance because of vertigo. It can also strike any time, so you must be careful driving and doing other things that could harm you or others if you experience vertigo.
Living with vertigo is possible, but it’s not something anyone would want to do. The best thing you can do is treat the underlying cause of vertigo so it and other symptoms resolve.
Types of Vertigo
There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central.
Peripheral Vertigo
Peripheral vertigo occurs when you have a problem in your inner ear.
Transient ischemic attacks ("mini" strokes that cause no permanent damage)
Symptoms
The symptoms of central vertigo include:
Intense dizziness, more so than with peripheral vertigo
Longer spells of dizziness than peripheral vertigo
Inability to stand or walk without assistance
Uncontrollable eye movement that lasts weeks or months
Inability to focus visually
Headache
Weakness
Trouble swallowing
How Chiropractic Care Helps Relieve Vertigo Symptoms
Chiropractor helps patients with vertigo in a variety of ways. For example:
Refer you to other practitioners to address the root cause of the problem: Not only will a chiropractor help with adjustments that improve your vertigo symptoms, but they’ll also help you find the resources needed to resolve the problem completely. For instance, if an inner ear problem causes your vertigo, they’ll refer you to a health professional who can help you.
Teach you exercises to ease vertigo: You’ll undergo an adjustment when you visit the chiropractor that helps with your vertigo symptoms, but you’ll also learn things you can do at home to prevent vertigo attacks or to prevent attacks from occurring. The Brandt-Daroff Technique is an example of an exercise you can perform at home. Additionally, they’ll suggest other therapies or practices that can help, such as Tai Chi.
Recommend lifestyle changes: Your chiropractor wants to provide you with whole-health strategies that address vertigo and help you live your healthiest life. They’ll suggest changes you can make to improve your health, including dietary changes, reducing or eliminating tobacco and alcohol use, incorporating meditation into your daily routine, and getting enough high-quality sleep.
Implement chiropractic adjustments: Of course, a chiropractor performs an adjustment that targets the issues linked to your bouts of vertigo. Adjustments to the upper cervical spine and neck area are the most common approaches to treating vertigo. In some cases, adjustments are all that is needed to alleviate vertigo.
Chiropractic Treatments for Vertigo
Chiropractors use several different treatments to address vertigo, including:
Spinal adjustments: The manual application of a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint. The goal of this procedure, also known as spinal manipulation, is to improve spinal motion and your body's physical function.
Epley maneuver: One of several head repositioning movements used to treat vertigo.
Semont maneuver: A procedure involving rapid movement from lying on one side to lying on the other.
Brandt-Daroff habituation exercise: An exercise that dislodges and breaks up the crystals linked to dizziness.
Correcting nerve interference: This helps your body function optimally and heals any issues causing vertigo and other symptoms.
Boosting overall health: Chiropractors offer whole-health advice that aims to improve your overall well-being and quality of life instead of just masking or limiting the symptoms of vertigo.
Exercises and stretching: You can do many things at home to manage vertigo. Exercises and stretches also improve your mobility and overall quality of life.
Stress relief:Anxiety and stress can cause vertigo and other unusual symptoms. Even if this is not the case, experiencing vertigo can cause stress. Your chiropractor can help you find ways to effectively and safely manage stress.
Dietary improvements: Cleaning up your diet is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of vertigo.
Postural improvements: Correcting your posture can improve your overall health and wellness. It’s especially useful for dealing with vertigo.
Massage:Massage relieves vertigo and also helps you reduce stress.
Conclusion
Vertigo may not be the most common reason people see a chiropractor, but chiropractic care is undoubtedly one of the most effective treatments. Many people have experienced relief from vertigo by undergoing chiropractic adjustments that address the root cause of the problem. If you’re experiencing dizziness or feeling off balance, a chiropractor can provide long-term relief and healing.
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.
