Have you ever felt like the world is spinning around you, or have you ever struggled to keep your balance? These could be signs that you are suffering from vertigo. Whether this constant dizziness is caused by an inner ear issue, chronic headaches, or vestibular nerve inflammation, it should be addressed. Chiropractic treatment for vertigo can help treat the symptoms, and a comprehensive treatment plan can help prevent further episodes from occurring.
Different Types of Vertigo
Nearly 40 percent of Americans experience a form of vertigo at least once in their lifetime. There are two main types of vertigo—peripheral and central. Before seeking treatment, it’s important to understand the difference.
Peripheral Vertigo: The most common and more serious form of vertigo, peripheral vertigo is the spinning or dizzy sensation caused by an issue with your inner ear, which controls balance. The main reasons you can experience this type of vertigo fall under three categories:
- Labyrinthitis – This refers to dizziness or a feeling that you’re moving when you aren’t. An inner ear infection is the main culprit and occurs with other symptoms like earache and fever. The labyrinth is a structure in your inner ear that controls your hearing and balance. Viral illnesses such as a cold or the flu are the main causes of this type of peripheral vertigo. Chiropractic treatment for vertigo of this type may help alleviate the pressure on the inner ear.
- Vestibular neuritis – This type of vertigo is caused by inflammation in and around your vestibular nerve. This nerve is located in your ear and sends information to your brain that helps you maintain proper balance. When the vestibular nerve is inflamed, communication to the brain is unclear, leaving you feeling dizzy and disoriented. Vestibular neuritis usually improves after a few days, but the symptoms can last for weeks. Chiropractic treatment for vertigo of this type may help alleviate the inflammation, allowing you to heal much faster.
- Meniere’s disease – Meniere’s disease is a chronic ear disorder in which the cause is unknown; however, symptoms appear to be the result of abnormal amounts of fluid in the inner ear. Symptoms such as dizziness, ringing in the ear, and nausea can be triggered by smoking, eating a high-salt diet, and ear infections. Chiropractic treatment may help this type of vertigo.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BBPV) – This is one of the most common types of vertigo. BBPV is caused by quick head movements and minor blows to the head that dislodge the rock or crystal-like structures that float in ear canals. In the semicircular canals, these crystals or utricles float suspended in the fluid of the ear, moving as a group; however, when one is dislodged from the group, your brain is told to balance in two different places at the same time, creating vertigo. Chiropractors can easily test for this using the Hallpike Test and can resolve it using the Epley maneuver.
Central Vertigo: Unlike peripheral vertigo, which impacts the inner ear, central vertigo is attributed to problems with the brain. You may have trouble focusing your eye or may experience double vision, dizziness, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and weakness in your limbs. Central vertigo affects the central nervous system and can be caused by:
- Cervicogenic dizziness
- Head injuries
- Illness or infection
- Multiple sclerosis
- Migraines
- Strokes
Finding the root cause of your symptoms and the reasons you are experiencing central vertigo is the best way to treat and manage the condition. Research shows that restoring your cervical curvature to its natural state and reducing forward head posture provides short- and long-term benefits for those with cervicogenic dizziness better than most other treatments published in the literature. Chiropractic treatment for vertigo of this type helps improve cervical curvature, which has been shown to reduce tension on the spinal cord, allowing the autonomic nervous system to function better. Current research shows it also has a positive effect on blood flow, eye tracking function, and balance.
Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo
Treatment options for vertigo can depend on the cause; however, there are different types of chiropractic treatment for vertigo that can address the associated dizziness, pain, and nausea and improve range of motion. Below are the chiropractic treatment options for vertigo:
- Chiropractic Adjustments – Chiropractic adjustments, or spinal manipulations, may reduce dizziness. These adjustments not only allow for better range of motion but also reduce inflammation in the joints and surrounding areas.
- Epley Maneuver – A set of specific movements designed to reduce BPPV and vertigo. As patients see chiropractors regularly, and chiropractors in turn are used to performing manual therapy, they are ideal providers for accurately performing the maneuver for the best results.
- Chiropractic Neurology – A technique within chiropractic that has its own set of testing and treatments that specifically target the different pathways of the nervous system that relate to balance.
- Chiropractic BioPhysics® – A comprehensive treatment protocol aimed at reducing dizziness and vertigo through the restoration of curvature to improve the nervous system, circulatory system, and balance function.
Overcoming Vertigo With Chiropractic BioPhysics® Treatment
Whether you are suffering from peripheral or central vertigo, the symptoms can be nauseating and debilitating. Understanding the cause of your dizziness and determining where it originates will help you better address and rectify the problem.
At PostureWorks, we provide a unique chiropractic treatment for vertigo that gets to the root of the problem. Focusing on spinal alignment and overall structural health, our providers work to determine the cause of your vertigo and the best treatment options to restore you to optimal health. Our Chiropractic BioPhysics® technique incorporates traditional chiropractic methods as well as physiotherapy and exercise to create a comprehensive treatment plan that not only eases your pain but resolves the problem long-term.
Chiropractic BioPhysics®, or CBP, is a deeply researched and results-oriented corrective care technique that aims to realign the spine back to health and optimal function. CBP is a conservative, evidence-based, and non-invasive way to minimize and/or eliminate back and neck pain. To learn more about chiropractic treatments for vertigo or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
