Understanding and Caring for Vertigo

Vertigo is a false sensation of movement. It may be that the person feels as if he is spinning or the things around him may seem to be spinning when there is no movement. This condition disrupts a person’s life whether it occasionally occurs and only lasts a few minutes or happens more often. It may cause the person to feel as if he needs to sit or lie down until the sensation passes. Vertigo is often the end result of an injury to the head or neck that was not cared for properly and has progressed.

Reasons for Vertigo

Vertigo is often caused by a problem with the vestibular system that is responsible for balance. The most common form of vertigo is called BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and is often related to trauma to the head or neck that has caused it to jerk back and forth suddenly, such as whiplash. Therefore, BPPV is often connected with a vehicle accident, an injury from a sporting event, or another trauma.

Some other common reasons for vertigo are:

• Meniere’s disease –  too much fluid in the ear leading to pressure resulting in hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo
• Labyrinthitis – swelling of the inner ear
• Vestibular Neuronitis – inflammation of the vestibular nerve often due to a cold or the 

How to Get Natural Help for Vertigo

There is good news for those suffering from vertigo, particularly if it is related to a previous trauma. Upper cervical chiropractors have seen a number of patients helped by realigning the bones of the upper neck area. The C1 and C2 vertebrae often misalign due to mild to moderate trauma to the head. If this has happened, pressure can be placed on the brainstem, and it may begin to send improper signals to the brain about where the body is located.

By using a gentle method to help these bones move back into proper position, we can often help patients find relief from vertigo.