The world is constantly spinning, on its axis, in space. However, it should not be spinning from your perspective. Dizziness (medically known a vertigo) is the presence of a sensation of motion when there is no actual motion. This means that during a dizzy spell it may feel like you or your surroundings are moving even if you are completely stationary.
When many of us think about dizziness, we think of roller coasters, carnival rides, and office chairs, but nearly 40% of US adults experience unprompted vertigo at least once in their life, according to UCSF Health. This is a dizzying statistic. While one-time vertigo may not be an issue, vertigo that is constant or chronically recurring can be debilitating and requires medical attention.
What kinds of Vertigo are there?
There are two main categorizations of vertigo, central and peripheral. Central vertigo is caused by a disruption in the brain such as a ruptured blood vessel, stroke, MS, seizures, or tumors- this type of vertigo is best treated by a neurologist because it requires a more detailed look at the brain. Peripheral vertigo can be treated by chiropractors, and it is caused by a number of issues that may occur in the inner ear.
Within peripheral vertigo, there are a few different categorizations:
Benign Positional Vertigo or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Caused by Medication
Caused by Injury
Inflammation Induced (neuronitis)
Irritation and Swelling of the Inner Ear (labyrinthitis)
Pressure on the Vestibular Nerve
Each of these has a distinct cause, and while not all of these can be treated by a chiropractor, BPPV, and vertigo caused by head and neck injuries (post-traumatic vertigo) can be successfully reduced or completely treated with proper chiropractic care. Peripheral vertigo is caused by either pressure in the inner ear, inflammation, head injuries, reactions to medications, fluid buildup, swelling, calcium crystals, or a combination of these.
Chiropractic Treatment of Vertigo
Chiropractic care is an incredibly diverse field in medicine, and it can be applied to several issues beyond bad backs and creaky knees (though it works great for those too). An experienced chiropractor can often help treat many medical issues that seem to be separate from the musculoskeletal system. Considering this, BPPV and post-traumatic vertigo can be treated by chiropractors through a series of manipulations and gentle corrections to resolve the issue.
BPPV is an interesting form of vertigo that is caused by the formation of calcium carbonate crystals within the inner ear. These crystals are medically known as otoconia. They may become dislodged and begin to float around in the inner ear fluid, and this free movement is what causes sometimes severe dizziness, imbalance, and ringing in the ears. Sometimes accidents that involve whiplash or a sudden blow can cause symptoms of BPPV, but chiropractic care can help treat this as gentle manipulation of your muscles and joints in your head and neck can correct the cause of the problem
Post-traumatic vertigo may be caused by BPPV, but it may also be caused by an issue in the nerves in the neck and spine. The good news is that neck and spinal injuries are a chiropractor’s specialty. Not only will they likely be able to reduce your pain, but they may also be able to get your balance back in no time.
Vertigo can be a very difficult condition to deal with, and it can make working and living a normal life nearly impossible. However, there are treatments for most forms of vertigo that can at least reduce the symptoms. If you think you are suffering from peripheral vertigo and would like a consultation for treatment, contact North County Pain Relief today to review your options!