Stop the Spinning: How to End Vertigo

The Implications of Vertigo and its Treatment

Vertigo is the sensation of feeling off balance that is often described as dizziness or the feeling of falling. This is most commonly seen in the elderly population but can also be present at any age. The cause of vertigo is often the result of an inner ear problem that results in your body being confused with where it is in space and time. The stones called “otoliths” within your ear get stuck onto the “cilia” or little hairs in the ampulla of the semicircular canals. When they are adhered to, the cilia, our brain often distorts its sense of balance and coordination with its surroundings. The theory is that as we get older, the fluid that surrounds the otoliths becomes more viscous and doesn’t allow the stones to float as freely as they did in our earlier years. Trauma or direct impact to the head can also create this phenomenon short term. It is important to remember that these parts of our body are extremely small and fragile. The littlest movements and maneuvers can make a huge difference in how the symptoms of vertigo present. This is completely different than motion sickness or most other causations of dizziness.

Another cause of vertigo can be due to nerve irritation or impingement that can occur within the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). This nerve is the wiring responsible for connecting the inner ear to our brain and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of our brain that directly handles balance and coordination. An upper cervical (neck) subluxation can cause this type of nerve impingement and chiropractic is the only natural fix to correcting it short term.

Chiropractic treatments are extremely effective in relieving nerve irritation that can lead to the signs and symptoms of vertigo. A subluxation or misalignment within the upper cervical spine can narrow the tunnel that the nerve root passes through and cause this phenomenon. The joint often becomes swollen, tender to touch, and very tense. Headaches and neck stiffness are two common symptoms to be present with vertigo. The chiropractic adjustment specifically corrects this alignment, reduces joint irritation, and promotes blood flow deep within the segment. This blood flow is how our joints get the nutrients necessary to heal from the inside out. There is nothing better than our own body’s natural ability to heal.

Physical Therapy for Vertigo

There are some very specific techniques and balance exercises that help tremendously with the presentation of vertigo. Our staff is extremely well-versed in these techniques and other great tips for the prevention of falls. Falls are the number one reason for hospitalization in elderly and often lead to serious head injuries and/or fractures that can be debilitating. It is important to address the patient’s dizziness as soon as possible and follow up with a lower body and core strengthening protocol to ensure the prevention of falls. Just standing up, sitting down, and often walking can be hard in this population of patients. Taking care of the dizziness from vertigo is often not enough. Our treatments are very safe, painless, and often soothing to the patient

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that originated in China over 5000 years ago. The premise of acupuncture is based on meridians (or pathways of energy) that run throughout the body. When a practitioner of acupuncture places needles into the body, they are placing those needles on key points along those meridians in order to manipulate that energy to promote healing to that area of the body. Treatment typically takes about 20 minutes to complete and is painless. Acupuncture is very effective at treating vertigo and restoring the overall function of the body

There are a number of other services that Health Quest offers. We have all the tools necessary to help those suffering from vertigo, amongst many other symptoms. Our services are all completely natural as well. It is a rare thing to have such a facility in any area of the country and we are very proud to provide such services to the mid-Missouri area.

If you or someone you know is suffering from the signs and symptoms of vertigo; we may be able to help you at Health Quest through chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, or family medicine. At Health Quest, we are committed to helping you meet your health goals and leading you to a healthy and pain-free lifestyle. Call us today to schedule an evaluation at (573) 635-9655.

Yours in health,

Dr. Brandon Lehr D.C.