Chiropractic Care for Dizziness
Vertigo is a false sensation of rotation or movement, or a feeling that objects move or turn around you; it is often accompanied by nausea and loss of balance.
There are five major conditions which cause this problem:
1. Internal ear disease
- Labyrinthitis – a degenerative process of the neuro-sensory structures of the internal ear. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bradycardia (slow heart beat) and or nystagmus.
- This gives the impression that the room is going round you.
2. Trauma to the internal ear
- Traffic accident
- Blows to the head
- Noisy working environment – “technopathic neurolabyrinthitis”
3. Peripheral Labyrinth Syndrome
- Acoustic Neuroma (VIII cranial nerve)
- Mènières Syndrome – A hydrodynamic disturbance of the endolymphatic fluid of the inner ear. This is accompanied by hearing loss.
- Disease of the vestibular artery, often treated with medicine which increases blood flow to the area.
4. Central Vestibular Syndrome
This includes problems with the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem and, or the nervous connections to them from the brain. Often, together with this there are other symptoms which originate in different areas of the brain such as other cranial nerves and the cerebellum. The various causes of this syndrome are:
- Insufficient blood flow to the brainstem, also called Barrè-Lieou syndrome. Vertigo appears with certain positions of the head.
- Vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
- Lesions of the brainstem; vascular, sclerotic plaques or tumours.
Once these 4 possibilities have been ruled out or treated, problems of the cervical spine are the most common reason for vertigo:
5. Problems of the cervical spine.
Successfully treatable by chiropractors.
- Subluxation of the first cervical vertebra.
- Cervical facet syndrome
- Muscular tension in the neck.
- Joint dysfunction in the cervical spine.
Other causes of Vertigo:
Vertigo may even be caused by medicines or drugs, alcohol, low blood pressure, and ear infections.
Associated symptoms are:
TMJ dysfunction and pain on talking or chewing, headache, earache, sensation of pressure or fullness in the ears and ringing in the ears.
The differential diagnosis of these causes of vertigo requires a full case history, an audiometric examination, and for certain patients a Magnetic Resonance Scan or CAT Scan.Patients who come to the chiropractor without these examinations should be aware that the chiropractor will react to “red flags” which signal the need for referral to other medical consultants. It is recommended to bring the results of any completed examinations to the first visit, as the chiropractor will take them into consideration when diagnosing the cause of the symptoms. Additionally, patients should inform the chiropractor if all the above possibilities have been investigated.
How can Chiropractic help?
Chiropractic care can help alleviate dizziness & vertigo by addressing the root cause of the problem. By examining the patient thoroughly, chiropractors can identify any misalignments or subluxations in the spine that may be affecting the nervous system’s ability to function correctly. These misalignments or subluxations can lead to a variety of symptoms, including dizziness. By performing chiropractic adjustments to realign the spine, chiropractors can restore proper nervous system function, which can help alleviate dizziness.
Chiropractic care can also help improve posture, which can have a significant impact on dizziness. Poor posture can put pressure on the neck and spine, which can cause nerve irritation and lead to dizziness. Chiropractors can work with patients to improve their posture and provide exercises to strengthen the muscles that support proper posture.
Furthermore, chiropractors can provide lifestyle advice, including nutrition and exercise recommendations, to help patients manage their symptoms and prevent future episodes of dizziness. Overall, chiropractic care offers a safe and effective approach to treating dizziness by addressing the underlying cause of the problem and promoting optimal nervous system function.