Vertigo and Chiropractic Care

What is Vertigo?

Rather than being a medical condition, Vertigo is actually a symptom. The term refers to a type of dizzy sensation that makes it seem as if the room is spinning, even when one is sitting or standing perfectly still. What differentiates vertigo from dizziness is this sense of movement and rotation not associated with traditional lightheadedness or dizziness.

There are two types of vertigo. If you feel like you are spinning around during a vertigo episode, you are experiencing subjective vertigo. Alternately, if you feel like the environment is spinning around your body, you are suffering from objective vertigo.

Causes of Vertigo

A variety of factors can cause vertigo including:

• Inflammation of the inner ear/fluid-buildup around the eardrum
• Displacement of crystals normally found in the inner ear that irritate hair cells in the ear's semicircular canals (known as BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
• Cervical vertebral subluxation (misalignment of the seven uppermost spinal vertebrae can restrict blood supply to the middle and inner ear)
• Meniere's disease
• Aging

Chiropractic Treatments to Relieve Vertigo

Epley Maneuver

A technique called the Epley Maneuver may help vertigo sufferers if their vertigo symptoms are caused by displacement of calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear. By moving a patient into specific positions that trigger gravity forces in the ear, chiropractors can reposition crystals into an area of the inner ear that won't precipitate motional dizziness.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises

After assessing the cause of your vertigo, Dr. Ringer may have you perform vestibular rehabilitation exercises to reduce dizziness, decrease the risk of falling and improve balance. Some of these exercises include neck motion, strengthening and balance retraining exercises. 

Low-amplitude, High Velocity Upper Cervical Manipulation

When vertigo is the result of misaligned cervical vertebrae, Dr. Ringer may recommend a manipulation and adjustment procedure. This enhances blood flow to the inner ear by realigning the upper.

If you suffer from vertigo and would like more information about how chiropractic care can relieve your symptoms, call Ringer Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly staff members.