Dizziness and vertigo can be scary events. Feeling off-balance can affect your ability to not only walk and drive, but it can also affect your quality of life during those attacks. Nausea and vomiting are common. Most people do not know that there is a difference between dizziness and vertigo.

Dizziness

• Feeling off-balance
• Lightheadedness
• Faintness
• A "swimming" head feeling

In contrast, vertigo is described as a false sensation of movement. Traditional treatment of vertigo involves medication and possibly surgery, depending on the case. These may help lessen the effects of an attack in the short-term, but they do not address a potential cause of vertigo.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

Your Neck and Vertigo

Your spine is designed to protect your spinal cord. Your spinal cord carries signals to and from your brain. When the top bone in your neck (atlas) is misaligned, this can create pressure within your spinal cord at the base of your neck. This can affect signals going to and from your brainstem, potentially leading to vertigo symptoms.

Here at Crowder Specific, we are trained in Upper Cervical Care, a specific chiropractic approach that detects and corrects atlas misalignments. Upper Cervical adjustments are incredibly gentle, with no popping or twisting. Through specific realignment of the atlas, pressure within the spinal cord is reduced. The brainstem is able to send and receive messages without distortion. This may lead to a reduction in vertigo symptoms.

Elster conducted an analysis of 60 patients with chronic vertigo that received specific atlas corrections. 48 out of the 60 patients received complete resolution of vertigo symptoms. All of the cases received some reduction of vertigo severity and/or frequency over the course of one to six months of atlas care. (2)

References

2. Tucci D. Dizziness and Vertigo - Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders [Internet]. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. 2015 [cited 14 March 2016]. Available from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/symptoms-of-ear-disorders/dizziness-and-vertigo
3. Elster E. Sixty Patients With Chronic Vertigo Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care to Correct Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis. J Vert Sub Res [Internet]. 2006 [cited 14 March 2016];2006(Nov):1-9. Available from: https://vertebralsubluxation.sharepoint.com/Pages/2006_1174_Vertigo.aspx

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.