Have you ever experienced a sudden sense of dizziness and spinning? If so, you may be one of the millions who have experienced vertigo. In fact, according to the UCSF Health Center, nearly 40 percent of adults in the United States will experience vertigo at least once in their lives. Vertigo can cause nausea, disorientation, and even problems with vision and hearing. Additionally, if you experience vertigo, this may be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue.
In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at how a chiropractor can assist patients experiencing vertigo symptoms. First, we take a look at vertigo, what causes this balance problem, and how chiropractic care can help to relieve symptoms. We also review some of the other common health problems that can be treated by a chiropractor.
At Governor’s Park Chiropractic, we’re proud to be Denver’s leading full-service chiropractic office. Serving a range of patients throughout Denver, Lone Tree, Wheat Ridge, and the greater Denver metro area, we offer a range of healthcare services, including chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, acupuncture therapy, massage therapy, custom orthotics, and more. With unmatched dedication and extensive years of experience, our team at Governor’s Park Chiropractic can speed up your recovery time, provide relief from pain, and improve your overall health.
What is Vertigo?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vertigo is a health issue that affects your inner ear and causes someone to feel dizzy and nauseous. Vertigo can even cause one to feel like they’re spinning in circles when they’re standing or laying down perfectly still. While not life threatening, vertigo can dramatically disrupt your day ,cause you to feel nauseous, and inhibit your normal vision and hearing.
Doctors have identified two main types of vertigo: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is caused by health issues affecting the part of your inner ear that controls your balance. The parts of the inner ear that may be affected by peripheral vertigo include the vestibular labyrinth, semicircular canals, or the vestibular nerve. This form of vertigo may be caused by irritation in the inner ear, Meniere’s disease, head injuries, certain medications, and other health issues.
Central vertigo, on the other hand, is caused by problems occurring in the brain, primarily in the brain stem or the cerebellum. This type of vertigo is generally caused by issues like blood vessel disorders, seizures, stroke, tumors, or even certain drugs.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can be caused by a variety of different health problems affecting the inner ear, brain, or nervous system.
In many cases, vertigo may be caused by one of the following health issues:
- Migraines or headaches.
- Arrhythmia.
- Head or neck injuries.
- Diabetes.
- Stroke.
- Certain medications (always discuss with your doctor before changing or stopping any medications).
- Shingles near the ear.
- Hyperventilation.
- Low blood pressure.
- Prolonged bed rest.
- Ear surgery.
- Muscle weakness.
- Syphilis.
- Acoustic neuroma.
- Brain disease.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Benign positional vertigo (BPPV).
As you can see, vertigo may be caused by a wide variety of health issues. That is why it’s so important to visit your doctor if you’re experiencing vertigo. Your primary care physician will be able to perform a complete diagnosis to determine the specific cause of your vertigo. From there, they can develop the most effective treatment plan for your unique needs.
Can a Chiropractor Treat Vertigo?
We all know that you should make an appointment to your local chiropractor if you’re experiencing back pain or stiffness. But in reality, this is just the beginning to what these medical professionals can do for their patients. Many people are shocked to learn that chiropractors can help to relieve the symptoms associated with vertigo. Additionally, since there are few side effects of chiropractic treatment, many patients prefer this type of care.
Depending on the specific type of your vertigo, a chiropractor may be able to utilize certain treatments and techniques to help alleviate your symptoms. For example, if you’re suffering from cervical vertigo, which is caused by a misalignment of joints in the cervical spine following a neck injury, chiropractic adjustments may be beneficial. Spinal manipulation works to realign the joints and the vertebrae in the cervical spine, which essentially corrects the nervous pathways and allows for improved communication in the nervous system, reducing dizziness.
Another type of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), may also be effectively treated by a chiropractor. BPPV occurs when calcium particles, called canaliths, are forced out of place and collected in the inner ear. This build up in the inner ear can then alter your center of balance and cause you to feel dizzy. If you’re experiencing BPPV, a chiropractor can use the Epley maneuver, which maneuvers your head in a variety of positions to reposition the calcium particles that have built up in the inner ear.
What Else Can a Chiropractor Treat?
In addition to vertigo, chiropractors can treat a range of health problems that affect the musculoskeletal or nervous system. This includes chronic pain throughout the body, limited mobility, and even headaches. Additionally, chiropractic care is ideal for individuals recovering from personal injuries (such as following a car accident) or a sports injury chiropractor can help individuals recovering from sports-related injuries. In tandem with other forms of treatment, chiropractic care and adjustments can help you recover from an injury faster and boost your overall health.
In addition to treating vertigo, chiropractors can also effectively help patients experiencing:
- Chronic back pain.
- Shoulder pain.
- Knee pain.
- Joint pain or limited mobility.
- Neck pain or stiffness.
- Headaches or migraines.
- Sciatica pain.
- Whiplash and other car accident injuries.
- Muscle aches.
Conclusion – Can a Chiropractor Help with Vertigo?
While generally not seen as a life threatening condition, vertigo can seriously disrupt your day. Caused by many different health issues, vertigo causes someone to feel dizzy, almost like you’re spinning in place, when you aren’t moving. Vertigo can make it difficult to walk, impair your vision or hearing, or even make you feel sick.
Depending on the specific cause of your vertigo, visiting a chiropractor may prove to be an effective treatment. For those experiencing BPPV or cervical vertigo, chiropractic adjustments and maneuvers can help to stop those dizzying symptoms by realigning your musculoskeletal system and nervous system.
If you’re experiencing vertigo or any other musculoskeletal health issue, Governor’s Park is here to help. Our experienced and friendly chiropractic staff understands that each recovery is unique. That’s why we develop personalized treatment plans for each of our patients. Whether you’re in need of vertigo treatment, general chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, massage therapy, or custom orthotics, our evidence-based treatments can accelerate your recovery and get you back to the life you love. No matter your healthcare needs or goals, remember that Governor’s Park is on your side.
Contact us today here at Governor’s Park Chiropractic and discover what our full-service chiropractic office can do for you.
Governor's Park Chiropractic is the Colorado chiropractor team dedicated to helping individuals get out of pain and achieve better health. Offering a range of services and treatment options to meet the specific needs of each patient.