Vertigo Specialist
Vertigo makes you feel as if everything around you is spinning, and can cause lightheadedness and a loss of balance. It isn’t an illness itself, but rather a symptom that points to various other underlying conditions.
Although both dizziness and vertigo are balance problems, they are not the same. Dizziness is a feeling of general unbalance, while vertigo gives you a sensation of movement or that your surroundings are spinning.
Vertigo attacks can happen at any age, although they are more prevalent in those over 65. Women are somewhat more likely to get vertigo than males. Vertigo is a possible side effect of pregnancy for some individuals.
Your Seattle chiropractor is the best place to consult for chiropractic care for vertigo. On this page, Dr. Jerry Thomas Weider Jr DC will talk about symptoms, causes, and vertigo treatment options.
Symptoms Of Vertigo
The main signs and symptoms of vertigo are as follows:
- Difficulty getting up from a chair
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Stumbling while walking
- Nausea and vomiting, headaches
- Feelings similar to motion sickness
- Tinnitus, a sense of fullness in the ear
- Hearing problems, especially in one ear
- Nystagmus, diplopia, blurry vision
- Fatigue
Common Causes Of Vertigo
The most common causes of vertigo are:
- Inner ear infection or inflammation can compress the nerve leading to vertigo
- Medication side effects or alcohol
- Spinning Activity leading to temporary vertigo due to the momentary imbalance in the ears’ fluid
- Medical conditions such as Meniere’s disease and Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Standing up too quickly which is also known as postural hypotension
- PregnancyÂ
How Chiropractic Assessment Helps Identify Vertigo Issues
Before starting any chiropractic treatment for vertigo, it’s important to undergo a thorough assessment with your chiropractor. They may use several simple tests to understand and identify vertigo:
- Head Position Test (Dix Hallpike Maneuver): Your chiropractor will briefly place your head in different positions. If you experience rapid eye movement (nystagmus) and vertigo, it may suggest a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
- Balance Test (Romberg Test): You’ll be asked to close your eyes and stand upright. Feeling dizzy or unsteady might indicate a problem with your sense of body position.
- Eye Movement Test: Your chiropractor will ask you to watch and follow their finger with one eye closed. Uncontrolled eye movement could signal issues with your eye muscles, potentially contributing to dizziness.
- Neck Assessment (Cervical Joint Assessment): Your chiropractor will check your neck through simple movements and gentle touches to see if there’s any misalignment or musculoskeletal issue causing vertigo, especially if you feel dizziness or pain during the assessment.
Chiropractic Treatment For Vertigo
Chiropractic treatments may involve various techniques, including but not limited to:
Positional Vertigo (Epley’s Maneuver)
This is considered one of the most effective treatments for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The maneuver aims to reposition loose crystals, known as canaliths, in your semicircular canals. Your chiropractor will guide you through head positions for 30-60 seconds, and it’s normal to experience vertigo or dizziness during the initial sessions.
Chiropractic Adjustment and Muscle Release
This technique helps alleviate tension in neck muscles or the sympathetic nerve, which can contribute to vertigo. It’s common to feel slight soreness around the muscles after the session, but this discomfort typically lasts no more than 24 hours.
Chiropractic treatment for vertigo is an effective option that not only alleviates current symptoms but also works to prevent future incidents. If you find yourself experiencing sensations of your head or surroundings spinning, it’s possible that you are dealing with vertigo. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discover how chiropractic care can provide relief and support for your vertigo symptoms.
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