Cure Vertigo With Chiropractic Care
Vertigo is a type of dizziness in which a person has the sensation of a spinning motion when motionless. There are many different causes of dizziness including, for example, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, anemia, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and various inner ear problems. Vertigo can be very annoying and uncomfortable. It is important to determine the cause of dizziness in order to find an appropriate solution.
There are two types of vertigo that chiropractic care can correct. These are mild paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Vertigo. By far the most common type of vertigo is BPPV. Chiropractors are trained to differentiate between these types of vertigo using orthopedic testing and to rule out other possible causes of dizziness (and refer if necessary).
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a type of vertigo that comes and goes depending on the position of the head and neck. When triggered, dizziness can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Symptoms are commonly triggered by getting up from sleep, tilting the head, turning over in bed, looking up, or a sudden movement of the head. This type of vertigo is related to an inner ear problem, and the most common cause is sudden trauma (such as a fall).
The inner ear is responsible for the sense of balance and movement of the head. Within the labyrinth of the inner ear are calcium crystals called otoliths (or “ear stones”). In BPPV, the otoliths are displaced from their normal position and migrate into the semicircular canals. The semicircular canals are oriented approximately ninety degrees relative to each other. They are filled with a fluid called endolymph and also have sensory receptors that are stimulated during head movement to provide a sense of movement. In BPPV, crystals in the semicircular canals adversely stimulate sensory receptors, leading to sensations of movement when there are none (or vertigo).
The hallmark for the diagnosis of BPPV is a positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver. This test will almost certainly cause vertigo and cause rotational or horizontal nystagmus (involuntary eye movement). It also determines the side of the ear affected.
BPPV can be corrected using the Semmont maneuver or the Epley maneuver, in which the chiropractor helps the patient slowly move the body, head, and neck into the proper positions to encourage the ear to swing back to normal. the correct location in the inner ear. After the procedure, the patient is instructed to avoid sudden movements and sleep for 2 nights in a reclined position. This procedure has a 90% success rate and often only one treatment is required. If dizziness returns, the procedure is repeated.
cervicogenic vertigo
Cervicogenic vertigo is dizziness arising from the neck. For example, irritation or injury to the joints, muscles, or ligaments in the neck can overstimulate the proprioceptors (nerve endings that detect position sense) in the neck and cause vertigo. Uncomplicated cervicogenic vertigo may be treated by a chiropractor using muscle work (such as trigger point release or stretching), adjusting modalities, and/or physical therapy, depending on the examination findings. The goal is to balance the biomechanics of the neck and promote faster and more complete recovery of damaged tissues.
When to seek medical attention
By itself, vertigo is usually benign. However, if a patient experiences symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, fainting or collapse, numbness, nausea, and/or unsteadiness when walking (even temporary), he should seek emergency medical attention. Patients with progressively worsening symptoms or dizziness accompanied by fever and/or infection should also consult a doctor.