Can Chiropractic Care Help With Vertigo?

Yes, chiropractic may address symptoms of one type of vertigo known as cervical vertigo. Chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation and adjustments,  is very likely  to help dizziness or balance problems, such as  vertigo .

You may have experienced feelings of dizziness when it feels like the world is spinning. You aren’t sick or hungover. Why do you feel this way?

This kind of spinning sensation is more prevalent than you may realize. Though it may make you nervous, it is a very natural condition. Vertigo affects about 40% of adults at least once in their lifetime.

For those experiencing dizziness and balance problems, research suggests that a chiropractor may be able to help.

Vertigo symptoms  vary from person to person. Your symptoms could be minor or severe, depending on the root cause of your vertigo.

What is peripheral vertigo?  Peripheral vertigo is caused by inner ear issues. It is the most common form of vertigo. A specific part of your inner ear (vestibular labyrinth) controls your balance. When there are inner ear issues, this can lead to peripheral vertigo.

What is central vertigo?  Central vertigo is caused by central nervous system problems. Central vertigo ends more quickly than peripheral vertigo, but it is more commonly accompanied by other neurological symptoms. Often, central vertigo  is caused by  migraine or blood vessel conditions.

Symptoms of  peripheral vertigo  include:

Symptoms of  central vertigo  include:

The most frequent cause of vertigo is inner ear problems. However, your healthcare provider may identify several root causes of vertigo.

The most common causes of vertigo include:

Is chiropractic good for vertigo?  Yes, chiropractic care  may be good  for vertigo symptoms (depending on the root cause).

With various exercises or manipulations, chiropractic care may be able to support relief of your vertigo.  Upper cervical  chiropractic adjustments  may be particularly helpful  for cervical vertigo.

Chiropractic manipulation enables your nervous system to operate at peak efficiency; it’s not just a quick fix to relieve back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments may improve your nervous system’s communication between the brain and the body by correcting misalignment of the spine. This improvement should help resolve vertigo symptoms, as well as other conditions.

What stops vertigo fast?  A non-invasive technique called the Epley maneuver  may help stop vertigo  fast. The Epley maneuver (canalith repositioning) is an  effective treatment  that may eliminate benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

The  Epley maneuver  involves precisely adjusting your head position to reposition canaliths into a less detrimental place. After 1-2 sessions with a qualified specialist, this maneuver often gets rid of vertigo entirely.

Your chiropractor may suggest certain exercises to relieve vertigo symptoms. The popular Brandt-Daroff technique involves sitting on the edge of a bed, flopping to one side, sitting upright again, flopping to the other side, and sitting upright again — all at one-minute intervals.

Tai chi training may also be beneficial since it involves slow, controlled movements that allow you to focus on your body’s motion and balance in a safe, controlled environment.

Talk to your doctor about any adjustments you want to make to your diet or daily habits.

To help treat recurrent vertigo, try the following (in addition to treatments prescribed by your healthcare provider):

Vertigo may require surgery in severe circumstances. If vertigo symptoms are triggered by a tumor or brain injury, treating those underlying problems with surgery may be necessary to find relief.

What is the best way to prevent vertigo?  To prevent vertigo, it’s best to avoid the following vertigo triggers:

Vertigo is often manageable with non-invasive interventions without the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Chiropractic care is a common and effective way to relieve vertigo symptoms in the short and long term.