How Chiropractic Care May Help with Vertigo
How Chiropractic Care May Help with Vertigo
Vertigo and dizziness can feel like the world is spinning out of control, leaving you unsteady, nauseous, and, quite frankly, miserable. These sensations are more than just annoying—they can impact your ability to work, drive, and enjoy daily life. If you’ve tried everything from medications to home remedies with little success, it may be time to consider chiropractic care. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to the body, focusing on the musculoskeletal system, which often plays a key role in balance and stability.
Give us a call on (02) 9523 9940 to make an appointment with one of our chiropractors at Bayside Chiropractic. But in the meantime, let’s dive into understanding your vertigo – just try not to get too dizzy on the way down.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or tilting, often described as feeling like the room is moving around you. It’s a specific type of dizziness, which can include other symptoms like light-headedness or a feeling of faintness.
Vertigo itself is not a condition but a symptom of an underlying issue, such as:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The most common cause of vertigo, BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) become dislodged in the inner ear and disrupt your sense of balance.
- Vestibular Disorders: Conditions affecting the inner ear or vestibular nerve, such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, can also trigger vertigo.
- Cervicogenic Vertigo: This type of vertigo arises from issues in the cervical spine, particularly tension or misalignment in the neck.
Why am I dizzy?
The causes of dizziness and vertigo are complex, involving the brain, eyes, inner ear, and musculoskeletal system. When any of these systems aren’t functioning properly, it can throw off your sense of balance. For instance:
- The inner ear plays a critical role in detecting motion and maintaining equilibrium. Disruptions here, such as fluid build-up or dislodged otoconia, can result in dizziness or vertigo.
- The cervical spine houses nerves that communicate with your brain about the position of your head and body. Tension, misalignment, or injury in this region can interfere with these signals, leading to vertigo or balance issues.
- Postural imbalances or muscle tension may also put strain on your neck and shoulders, further contributing to dizziness.
How can chiropractic care help?
Our chiropractors specialise in diagnosing and addressing issues within the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, making them uniquely equipped to help you manage certain causes of vertigo and dizziness. Depending on your symptoms and their underlying cause, chiropractic care may involve:
- Spinal adjustments: Gentle spinal adjustments aim to restore proper alignment, improving nerve function, and reduce tension in the neck. Sorting out these misalignments in the cervical spine helps keep communication with the brain crystal clear – without the static that can lead to dizziness or vertigo.
- Vestibular rehabilitation: Chiropractors may take you through exercises designed to retrain your vestibular system, such as the Epley manoeuvre for BPPV. This technique helps reposition dislodged otoconia in the inner ear, providing relief from vertigo.
- Postural corrections: Poor posture can strain the neck and shoulders, exacerbating symptoms of dizziness. Chiropractors can assess your posture and provide targeted exercises to strengthen supporting muscles and improve overall alignment.
- Soft tissue therapy: Muscle tension in the neck and upper back can play a role in cervicogenic vertigo. Soft tissue techniques, such as massage or myofascial release, may help relieve tension and improve blood flow to the area.
What to expect from chiropractic care
Your first visit will involve a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your vertigo or dizziness. This may include reviewing your medical history, assessing your posture, and performing specific tests to evaluate your balance and range of motion. If your chiropractor identifies an issue within their scope of practice, they’ll create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.
It’s important to note that not all vertigo or dizziness is related to the musculoskeletal system. If your symptoms are caused by conditions like low blood pressure, heart issues, or neurological disorders, your chiropractor will refer you to another health professional. But at least you’ll be closer to solving the mystery.
Why should you seek treatment?
Ignoring vertigo or dizziness isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. Balance issues increase your risk of falls, which can lead to serious injuries, particularly as we age. Left untreated, vertigo may also contribute to anxiety and a reduction in your healthy movement, as the fear of an episode can cause you to avoid certain activities or situations.
Our chiropractors work to address the root cause of your symptoms, not just mask them. By improving the function of your spine and nervous system, we aim to reduce the frequency and severity of your vertigo, restoring your confidence and quality of life.
Find your balance with chiropractic care
If vertigo or dizziness is keeping you off-balance, help is at hand. Call (02) 9523 9940 to book an appointment with the chiropractors at Bayside Chiropractic. Together, we’ll work towards finding the root cause of your symptoms and creating a plan to help you regain stability. Don’t let vertigo spin your world upside down—reach out today!
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Information provided here (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.
