What Helps Dizziness and Vertigo Go Away

Key Takeaways

• Dizziness and vertigo are closely related, yet distinct. Dizziness is a general term, whereas vertigo is characterized by a spinning sensation.

• Dizziness, vertigo, and proper spinal alignment play a crucial role in maintaining balance.

• Chiropractors employ targeted diagnostics and individualized care to address symptoms, frequently integrating spinal adjustments, canalith repositioning maneuvers, soft tissue treatments, and rehabilitative exercises.

• Chiropractic can help with dizziness and vertigo related to cervical spine dysfunction, Meniere's disease, and migraine-associated vertigo, in a holistic and multi-factorial manner.

• By improving nervous system function, chiropractic adjustments can optimize the vestibular pathways that control balance, proprioception, and the body's ability to regulate spatial orientation.

• As with any initial visit, being forthcoming with your medical history and open in your communication with the practitioner facilitates a comprehensive evaluation and a personalized care plan.

Dizziness and vertigo are both common problems that can make life difficult, frequently resulting in a sensation of spinning or loss of balance. Some turn to chiropractic care to help alleviate these symptoms. Chiropractors employ painless, hands-on techniques that can relieve tension in the neck or spine, which can be involved in dizziness and vertigo. The connection between chiropractic care and these symptoms is an active area of research in the healthcare field. Healthcare providers typically recommend a comprehensive workup to rule out other potential diagnoses. To understand what to expect from chiropractic care for dizziness and vertigo, it's helpful to consider the research and expert opinions on safety, effectiveness, and alternative options.

Dizziness Versus Vertigo

Dizziness is a broad term that encompasses various sensations, including lightheadedness, faintness, or unsteadiness. It can mean a feeling of swaying or being in motion while stationary. Dizziness is a frequent condition, accounting for approximately 6% of physician consultations. It can occur for numerous reasons, with dizziness patients often experiencing symptoms from hypoglycemia, hypotension, severe anemia, or medications. Some of us get dizzy when we stand up too quickly or miss a meal. The sensation of dizziness may be subtle or intense, fleeting or persistent.

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness where you sense that you or the room is spinning or moving, even when stationary. True vertigo is usually accompanied by more symptoms, including difficulty walking, nausea, vomiting, or abnormal eye movements known as nystagmus. This condition is commonly caused by inner ear disorders (peripheral vertigo) but can also arise from brain abnormalities (central vertigo). One principal culprit is BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which accounts for roughly 50% of dizziness in elderly patients. Other common causes can include head injuries, severe colds, aging, minor strokes, or certain drugs that adversely affect the ear. Vertigo impacts approximately 40% of adults over the age of 40 and can recur, although the recurrence rate is low, around 15% annually.

Chiropractic treatments for dizziness and vertigo often involve gentle adjustments to the neck or head to enhance balance and improve nerve circulation. For vertigo, practitioners may utilize specific maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver for BPPV, to reposition small crystals in the ear. Some chiropractors also incorporate vestibular rehabilitation exercises to help retrain the balance system. This approach seeks to restore motion, alleviate nerve irritation, and promote the body's natural healing processes. Ultimately, chiropractic care helps patients feel more stable, experience reduced dizziness, and return to their everyday activities.

The Spine's Role in Balance

The spine serves as a crucial part of the body's balance system, providing a sturdy foundation for the body's center of gravity, which is essential for maintaining proper posture and balanced locomotion. This relationship between the spine and your brain is vital for maintaining spatial orientation. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, works in conjunction with the spine's distribution of sensory nerves. The cervical spine, or neck, is rich with these nerves that relay information regarding the position of your head and neck. When these signals become crossed, it can lead to common symptoms such as dizziness or imbalance, which are often exacerbated by conditions like cervical vertigo.

Neck pain and poor spine health can exacerbate balance issues. Studies indicate that discomfort in the neck muscles can alter how individuals stand and move, potentially leading to a dizziness handicap inventory score that reflects increased risk. This pain can slow reaction times or cause swaying when standing still, particularly in older adults, raising the risk of falls. Poor posture, such as slouching or forward head posture, places extra stress on the neck and upper back. This stress can impair the function of the nerves in the cervical spine, leading to more balance problems and dizziness. Maintaining spinal health and practicing good posture are simple yet effective ways to help prevent dizziness.

Chiropractic care, particularly neurological chiropractic techniques, can be beneficial for individuals experiencing dizziness and balance issues linked to spinal health. Chiropractic adjustments and gentle mobilization techniques aim to correct spinal misalignments in the cervical region. By addressing these misalignments, the nerves can transmit clearer signals about body position, potentially leading to a reduction in dizziness. Many have found that chiropractic treatments can help older adults improve their balance and experience fewer episodes of dizziness. However, the relationship between the spine, inner ear, and brain is complex, and further studies are needed to identify the most effective candidates for treatment. Typically, a combination of chiropractic adjustments and vestibular rehabilitation exercises yields optimal outcomes.

How Chiropractic Manages Vertigo

Chiropractic care for vertigo is comprehensive and considers each patient's individual needs, symptoms, and health history. By focusing on the common causes of dizziness, these practitioners aim to address the source rather than just the symptoms. Customized programs might incorporate chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, canalith repositioning, and vestibular rehabilitation exercises. This technique aims to restore balance, alleviate neck pain, and reduce the frequency of vertigo episodes. While studies show encouraging results, such as improved balance in seniors following chiropractic treatments, outcomes can vary, and mild, transient side effects are sometimes reported.

1. Precise Diagnosis

Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial in managing vertigo and dizziness. Chiropractors begin with a comprehensive symptom history and potential triggers, as some types of dizziness can stem from cervical vertigo or issues in the neck, ear, or nervous system. They conduct neurological exams, balance tests, and postural checks to determine the source of the problem. Sometimes they'll order imaging or refer you to other providers for more tests. A solid diagnosis guides chiropractic treatments and increases the likelihood of success.

2. Spinal Adjustments

Spinal adjustments are a staple in chiropractic treatments for vertigo. These gentle motions clear up spinal misalignments in the cervical spine, which can impact balance and nerve signals. Research has demonstrated that chiropractic spinal manipulation and mobilization are beneficial for patients with cervicogenic dizziness and neck pain. Better blood flow and nerve function can result from these adjustments, further aiding balance and reducing episodes of dizziness.

3. Canalith Repositioning

Canalith repositioning maneuvers for BPPV involve gentle head and body movements that aim to reposition loose crystals in the inner ear, thereby effectively addressing vertigo episodes. When performed by trained professionals in neurological chiropractic, these techniques yield high success rates. Most patients experience relief from dizziness after just a few visits. However, certain types of vertigo, such as those stemming from Meniere's disease, may require ongoing chiropractic treatments for maintenance.

4. Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue techniques, such as massage or myofascial release, can alleviate muscular tension in the cervical spine and neck spasms that contribute to dizziness in patients experiencing vertigo and headaches. When combined with chiropractic treatments, such as spinal adjustments, this approach enhances comfort, reduces pain, and helps patients relax, promoting improved results for those suffering from both vertigo and neck pain.

5. Rehabilitative Exercises

Rehabilitation exercises focus on balance and coordination, and chiropractors can recommend specific head, eye, and neck movements to strengthen the vestibular system. Incorporating chiropractic treatments, such as spinal adjustments, into these exercises can prevent dizziness in the long run. For most, being able to perform these movements at home provides a feeling of control and supports consistent recovery.

Conditions Beyond BPPV

Not all dizziness is from BPPV; in fact, inner ear problems, cervical vertigo, and neck issues are common causes that complicate treatment. Conditions like dizziness and vertigo can disrupt your balance, postural control, and overall movement, making it challenging to navigate daily life, especially for those suffering from neurological chiropractic concerns.

• Vestibular neuritis

• Labyrinthitis

• Cervicogenic dizziness

• Meniere’s disease

• Migraine-associated vertigo

• Presyncope

• Other vestibular disorders

Cervicogenic Dizziness

Cervicogenic dizziness is often linked to issues in the neck, typically arising from trauma or spinal misalignment. This type of dizziness can occur after a whiplash injury or result from chronic neck tension. When the cervical vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles send conflicting signals to the brain regarding spatial orientation, it may result in feelings of unsteadiness or even vertigo.

Effective treatment for dizziness patients involves addressing both neck issues and balance functions. Chiropractic treatments, including adjustments and targeted rehabilitation exercises, can significantly reduce dizziness for many individuals. These approaches help patients regain confidence and improve their postural control, allowing them to walk with greater freedom.

• Take a comprehensive health history to identify neck trauma or chronic pain.

• HEENT - Perform a physical exam, checking the range of motion and muscle tightness.

• Balance tests, such as standing on one foot or heel-to-toe walking, can be used to determine the degree of vestibular system involvement.

• Schedule care that includes spinal adjustments, mild neck exercises, and posture training.

• Track progress and adjust the plan if symptoms change.

Incorporating neurological chiropractic care into the treatment plan can further enhance recovery, as it focuses on the interplay between the nervous system and spinal health. By combining chiropractic spinal adjustments with vestibular rehabilitation, patients can experience a marked improvement in their symptoms and overall quality of life.

Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition affecting the inner ear. It causes abrupt vertigo, hearing loss, a full feeling in the ear, and persistent tinnitus. These attacks are intermittent, sometimes lasting hours.

Chiropractic care can assist with symptom management, typically as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. These adjustments can help improve neck function, which may affect inner ear fluid flow. Meniere's folks tend to do well with a wide-ranging strategy—consistent workouts, hydration, and nutrition. A few discover that stress management and mild exercise also assist.

Chiropractic support, when combined with other care, can help alleviate the daily symptoms of those with Meniere's disease. To lessen vertigo means greater ease and less interruption.

Migraine-Associated Vertigo

Migraine-associated vertigo, or vestibular migraine, combines migraine headache symptoms with dizziness or spinning. Vertigo might occur during or in between migraines. For others, even minor neck misalignments can trigger symptoms.

Chiropractic may assist by relieving nerve compression in the spine and reducing common migraine triggers. Maintaining a healthy spine promotes nerve circulation and can reduce the probability of attacks. This type of care should complement other treatments – a combination of medication, diet, and lifestyle changes.

Full-scale treatment approaches that address both the migraine pain and dizziness are most effective. Many people experience fewer attacks and an improved quality of life.

The Nervous System Link

The nervous system is the spine of our body's equilibrium and orientation. It functions at multiple tiers, from our brain to the minute nerves in our muscles and skin. Our vestibular system, located deep within our inner ear, senses shifts in head motion and helps maintain balance. When this system or the nerves that connect it to the brain are out of whack, dizziness or vertigo can ensue. For instance, brainstem or cerebellar issues, two regions critical for equilibrium, can cause vertigo from stroke, trauma, or infection, which are common causes of dizziness.

Spinal health comes into play here, as well. The spine isn't simply a column of bones; it contains the spinal cord, which transmits messages from the brain to the rest of the body. If your spine, particularly the cervical vertebrae, isn't aligned correctly, it could be pinching nerves and interfering with communication. Chiropractic treatments — tiny, precise adjustments to the spine — may help clear up those pathways, according to some research. For vertigo sufferers, this could translate into reduced dizziness and clearer communication about the head and body’s position.

Chiropractic care examines the connection between equilibrium and stance and the nervous system. The idea is to help the body function as a cohesive whole. By optimizing spinal motion and alignment, chiropractors aim to improve nerve signaling transmission and reception. This can result in improved proprioception — the ability to sense where our limbs are without looking. When this sense is keen, it’s simpler to remain balanced and resist being jostled by sudden maneuvers or awkward stances, especially for patients prone to dizziness.

The etiologies of vertigo are not always straightforward. It can be a result of inner ear issues, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, both of which disrupt the nerves that aid in balance. Migraines can trigger vertigo, even before pain begins. Each of these distinctly engages the nervous system. Chiropractic care can assist by ensuring these signal pathways are as clear as possible, making it an effective option for treating vertigo.

Your First Chiropractic Visit

For most people, that first visit to a chiropractic clinic for dizziness or vertigo raises questions about what to expect. This review typically begins with a thorough intake, during which the chiropractor inquires about prior illnesses, injuries, current symptoms, and any medications being taken. This step helps identify potential causes of dizziness or vertigo, which may include conditions such as cervical vertigo, and informs the treatment plan moving forward. Others may employ basic tests to examine balance, eye movement, and nerve function. A hands-on physical examination of the neck and spine is crucial, as spinal misalignments often contribute to vertigo symptoms.

Providing a comprehensive history and an accurate description of symptoms is crucial for effective chiropractic treatments. This should include details such as when the dizziness began, how frequently it occurs, and whether specific movements or positions exacerbate the symptoms. Mentioning headaches, nausea, or changes in hearing helps the chiropractor gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Since 61% of patients experience dizziness, vertigo, headaches, or nausea following their first in-office visit, clear communication can help set realistic expectations. Patients may experience vertigo following their initial or second adjustment, with these after-effects typically persisting for less than 24 hours.

It's the chiropractor's job to examine each individual situation and tailor a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs. This could include spinal adjustments, gentle stretches, or posture advice. Don't lift anything over 4.5 kilograms and bend slowly and carefully for the next 48 hours. Open and honest talks with your chiropractor help make your visit safe and beneficial.

Bottom Line: If dizziness or other symptoms persist for more than a day, it's best to contact the clinic or seek emergency assistance.

Conclusion

Simply put, everybody gets dizzy or has vertigo at some point. Our spine and nervous system play a significant role in our sense of balance. Chiropractic care experientially explores these connections. Some individuals experience fewer or less severe dizzy spells after gentle spinal adjustments. A first visit typically includes a comprehensive examination and a discussion of your health and medical history. Some experience true relief while others require further testing or treatment with other physicians. For anyone experiencing dizziness or vertigo, consulting a chiropractor offers an additional avenue to determine the cause. To see if it can assist, contact a nearby clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?

Dizziness is a sensation of unsteadiness and lightheadedness, often experienced by individuals with dizziness. Vertigo, a common symptom, is characterized by a spinning sensation that can result from various inner ear conditions affecting balance.

Can chiropractic care help with vertigo?

Chiropractic treatments may help manage vertigo, particularly when it is associated with spinal misalignments or neurological issues. Chiropractors use subtle adjustments to optimize body function and enhance balance.

How does the spine affect balance and dizziness?

The spine shelters nerves that assist with balance, and spinal misalignment or muscle tension could be impacting nerve signals and causing dizziness symptoms.

What conditions besides BPPV can chiropractic help with?

Chiropractic treatments may help alleviate cervicogenic dizziness, migraines, and other maladies resulting from spinal misalignments and poor posture. A neurological chiropractic examination will assess your specific condition before treatment.

Is chiropractic treatment safe for dizziness and vertigo?

Chiropractic treatments are generally safe when performed by a trained and licensed professional. Your chiropractor will review your health history to determine the most effective approach for treating vertigo and related symptoms.

What happens during a first chiropractic visit for dizziness?

During your initial appointment, the chiropractor will inquire about your symptoms, including any dizziness you may experience, and conduct a neurological examination. They may also order imaging before discussing a chiropractic treatment plan.

How does the nervous system link to vertigo?

Your nervous system orchestrates signals from your inner ear, eyes, and spine to maintain balance and equilibrium. Disruption of these signals can lead to vertigo symptoms, making chiropractic treatments essential for enhancing neurological function.

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