How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Vertigo
I know it is obvious but vertigo is not fun. It can be a debilitating condition that leaves you feeling dizzy, off-balance, and unable to go about your daily routine. If you’ve ever experienced the sensation that the room is spinning or felt unsteady on your feet, you know how disruptive vertigo can be. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive solution to help manage and even relieve vertigo symptoms.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can be caused by issues in the inner ear, where balance is regulated. Common conditions that cause vertigo include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – is a common inner ear disorder that causes brief episodes of dizziness or vertigo when you change the position of your head. It’s often triggered when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and interfere with balance signals sent to the brain. Although BPPV can be uncomfortable, it is usually not serious and can often be treated effectively with simple maneuvers to reposition the crystals.
- Inner Ear Infections – Can lead to inflammation of the inner ear causing symptoms such as vertigo and nausea.
- Dehydration – Can lead to a drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain. Which then may trigger symptoms of vertigo, including dizziness and balance issues. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining proper inner ear function and overall balance.
- Head and Neck Trauma – Trauma can cause an assortment of serious concerns including bleeding in the brain. A consultation with a medical professional may be necessary with head and neck trauma. Once more serious concerns have been ruled out by your medical professional, then we may want to consider the alignment of the cervical spine.
- Misalignments of the neck – Another common source of vertigo is related to misalignments in the spine, particularly in the upper neck region. These misalignments can interfere with the nervous system, which plays a critical role in balance and coordination
What Can I do at home if I am Dizzy?
There are a couple of key things you can do on your own to try and help with vertigo.
- Hydrate – Most people do not drink enough water, and dehydration is an incredibly common cause of vertigo. This is made worse in our dry desert climate in Phoenix. When asked, most patients think they are drinking enough water until they learn how much the human body needs.
Everyone is built differently so 8 glasses of water while a good start is not enough for many of us. The human body needs half its body weight in ounces per day to stay properly hydrated. So evaluate how much water you are drinking and make sure it’s enough. Keep in mind in may take a few days to catch up on your water intake and be fully hydrated.
- Epley’s maneuver – This is a maneuver that can help symptoms related to benign paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The instructions can be found here, and it can easily be done at home. It is helpful at repositioning tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear that can cause dizziness.
The Cervical Spine and Vertigo
The cervical spine plays a vital role in stabilizing the head and keeping our eyes level with the ground. This essential for balance and vestibular function. It allows for wide range of motion, enabling us to scan our environment and interact effectively. The vertebral bodies protect the spinal cord, vertebral arteries, and the muscles of the neck protect other neurovascular structures necessary for sustaining life.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with Vertigo?
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we specialize in gentle, safe adjustments to the cervical spine. Utilizing the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is especially effective in addressing misalignments in the upper cervical spine (neck) without twisting popping or cracking your neck. By restoring proper alignment and relieving pressure on the nervous system, chiropractic care can improve balance and reduce dizziness. In fact, many patients report a significant decrease in vertigo episodes after just a few treatments.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic in Phoenix?
Our clinic is proud to offer personalized, compassionate care for patients suffering from vertigo. We take a holistic approach, addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms to provide long-lasting relief. With over 330 five-star Google reviews and recently being names one of the Top Phoenix Chiropractors, we are a trusted resource for gentle, effective care.
If you’re looking for a Chiropractor in Phoenix to help with vertigo or other balance issues, call us at 602-439-1515 or schedule online here. We offer customized treatment plans to suit your individual needs and help you get back to living a life free from dizziness and discomfort.
