Vertigo is an often debilitating condition that affects people of all ages. Characterized by disorienting spinning sensations, vertigo can take sufferers away from the activities they love most. Discover how chiropractic treatment may help with vertigo symptoms.
At Peak Chiropractic, we are dedicated to improving your quality of life by relieving any unpleasant symptoms you may be experiencing. Make an appointment with us today!
What is Vertigo?
The characteristic most often associated with vertigo is dizziness, but it’s a bit more complex than that. Dizziness is a factor, but it’s combined with a severe spinning or tilting feeling that stops sufferers in their tracks. The disorienting effects of vertigo typically lead to nausea, which, in combination with the spinning sensation, can make even simple tasks nearly impossible for sufferers.
Two Types of Vertigo
To understand vertigo, it’s best to know the two main types and how they’re caused:
Peripheral Vertigo
This type of vertigo is a result of disturbances in the balance portion of the inner ear.
The inner ear is the primary way that balance is maintained in the body. The numerous tiny pathways in this region communicate with the brain, specifically relaying messages regarding vertical movement. When an obstruction or other problem occurs in the inner ear, the person’s sense of gravity and balance can be interrupted.
Central Vertigo
In cases of central vertigo, pathways in the brain known as sensory nerve pathways cause the symptoms.
Central vertigo affects either the brain stem or cerebellum, and it is considered a problem in the central nervous system. The parts of the brain involved in central vertigo play a fundamental role in controlling balance and movement. When they’re obstructed, intense dizziness can result.
Common Causes of Vertigo
These are some of the known causes of vertigo:
- Vestibular neuritis
- Meniere’s disease
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Calcium build-ups in the inner ear
- Head trauma
When Should You Seek Professional Treatment For Vertigo?
While some vertigo suffers can still participate in their daily tasks and activities, others may be completely debilitated. These are the signs that indicate it’s time to seek professional help for your condition:
- Loss of balance
- Disturbed and degraded vision
- Interference with your ability to hear
- Psychological changes or depression as a result of disorientation
- Feelings of dizziness and spinning that lead to nausea
- Difficulty performing normal tasks like walking and driving
How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Vertigo?
Since vertigo sufferers’ symptoms and their severity differ from person to person, there is no one treatment to solve every case. That said, there are several chiropractic treatment options that can help those seeking relief:
The Epley Maneuver
The inner ear is a sensitive area that controls balance for the entire body. To treat vertigo related to issues with the inner-ear (peripheral vertigo), your chiropractor can perform the Epley maneuver. This is a series of simple exercises to help move the tiny bones within your ear to their correct positions. According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, the Epley Maneuver is effective at treating vertigo symptoms at least 52% of the time.
Chiropractic Adjustment
If your vertigo stems from a miscommunication between your brain and your body position/movements (central vertigo), chiropractic adjustment can be effective. By realigning the neck with your nervous system, chiropractic manipulation can be an effective treatment for this type of vertigo. At Peak Chiropractic, we offer the innovative Ultralign adjustment system, which allows us to make quick, pain-free adjustments assisted by the latest computer technology.
Make an Appointment
Chiropractic therapy may help to relieve your vertigo symptoms. Make an appointment with our experienced team at Peak Chiropractic in Celebration, FL today!
