We can help you stop vertigo before it starts.
Dizziness and vertigo are common yet complex balance disorders. Vertigo is a disorienting symptom that affects up to 40% of American adults at some point in their lives. While there is no permanent cure, patients with recurring vertigo symptoms may see some relief once the underlying causes for their symptoms are addressed. Conditions like multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and seizure disorders can all come with side effects that include vertigo.
At Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic, we help patients with vertigo symptoms by reducing misalignment in the upper cervical spine. Our providers also support new patients with proven vertigo treatment exercises, many of which can be adjusted for at-home accessibility. Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a trusted local clinic for long-term relief through upper cervical care and supportive therapies.
The difference between vertigo and dizziness is the sensation you feel. Dizziness symptoms include a variety of balance issues, but it's not related to all balance issues. Dizziness applies to motion and balance sensations like light-headedness or unsteadiness, which may leave you uneasy or off-balance. Vertigo is a spinning sensation that can make you feel off-balance, even nauseous. In addition to vertigo symptoms, you may be dealing with numbness and tingling, neck pain, headaches, low back pain, and sciatica.
Dizziness and vertigo are typically caused by conditions such as inner ear imbalance, neck trauma, whiplash, or misalignments affecting blood flow and nerve function. Common triggers are rapid head movements and changes in body position, migraines, and even certain medications. Vertigo isn’t a condition, but rather a symptom often linked to issues with the inner ear and vestibular system.
Upper cervical misalignment and vertebral disc dysfunction can disrupt the brainstem and vestibular communication pathways. The top of the spine houses nerves that control balance and coordination. Misalignments here can trigger vertigo symptoms or unsteadiness.
There are 2 main types of vertigo: Peripheral Vertigo and Central Vertigo
The most common type of vertigo, caused by problems with the inner ear or vestibular nerve. (Both help with your sense of balance.). People with peripheral (inner ear) vertigo have balance issues but can typically still walk.
Subcategories of Peripheral Vertigo Include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - An inner ear condition that happens when calcium crystals in the inner ear move to other areas.
Meniere’s disease - A chronic inner ear disorder caused by fluid changes in the ear canal. The condition is serious enough that it can cause hearing loss over time. These episodes can be unpredictable and deeply unsettling. For some individuals, the anxiety about when the next attack will happen can be as disruptive as the condition itself.
Labrinthitis - Inflammation of the labyrinth, which is part of your inner ear. This inflammation of the labyrinth, which is part of your inner ear, can lead to long-term balance issues and permanent hearing loss.
Vestibular neuritis - An inner ear disorder that causes symptoms such as sudden, severe vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, nausea, and vomiting. Many experts believe that a viral infection can cause this form of vertigo.
Cervical vertigo (cervicogenic dizziness) - can happen after a neck injury. Neck pain, back pain, vision problems, and earaches are common side effects.
TMJ vertigo, or vertigo from TMJ (caused by the temporomandibular joint) - Affects the inner ear. It can originate from teeth grinding or bruxism, trauma to the jawbone, and misalignment in the joint or bite.
Linked to problems with the central nervous system or the brain, like an infection, stroke, or a possible traumatic brain injury. This can lead to severe symptoms like severe instability or difficulty walking.
Common vertigo and dizziness symptoms include sensations of spinning, imbalance, or floating. Some patients feel like they, or the things around them, are rotating or moving. Some patients experience difficulty focusing, standing, or walking. Vertigo can make it difficult to maintain your balance. Some patients experience headaches, neck stiffness, or ear fullness.
Others experience nausea, fatigue, or disorientation triggered by quick movement or head position. Others experience nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movement from side to side at a rapid speed. Some say their vertigo episodes worsen with stress or dehydration. Vertigo and dizziness can appear in different individuals in a variety of ways and severities.
C1 and C2 misalignments can compress nerves or affect blood flow to the inner ear and brain. Even subtle misalignments can disrupt the body’s ability to interpret spatial signals correctly, leading to dizziness or vertigo. C1 and C2 vertebrae allow us to move our heads as we do hundreds of times daily. When they are misaligned, a range of problems will occur throughout the body. Symptoms of a misalignment include pain in the upper back, the neck, and the top of the head. It can also cause pain behind the eyes, at the temples, and behind the ears.
Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and numbness of one side of the tongue can occur. These misalignments are often treated with upper cervical chiropractic adjustments, which aim to realign the vertebrae and restore proper nerve and fluid flow. Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic uses advanced imaging and gentle, precision-based adjustments to achieve the proper alignment without twisting or cracking. Upper cervical chiropractic care helps to relieve vertigo symptoms by restoring proper nerve and blood flow.
Your vertigo treatment depends on the underlying causes of vertigo. Gentle chiropractic treatment for vertigo incorporates manipulation and vertigo exercises like the Brandt-Daroff exercise or Epley maneuver may also reduce symptoms of other types of vertigo. While there is no permanent cure, patients with recurring vertigo or dizziness may see some relief by incorporating chiropractic care for dizziness or vertigo into their treatment plan.
After performing the proper tests to diagnose your vertigo, there are several adjustments that your chiropractor may perform depending on the vertigo symptoms that you’re experiencing. Chiropractors will attempt to restore normal alignment to relieve nerve pressure and improve brain-body communication. You’ll be able to reduce the frequency of your vertigo episodes and the severity of your dizziness symptoms through balanced posture and circulation.
Our experts at Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic understand that to provide chiropractic care for dizziness successfully, a holistic approach is the best approach. Upper cervical adjustments are gentle and non-invasive, making them safe for patients with sensitive conditions.
Spinal Decompression therapy is a beneficial dizziness treatment for patients with cervical disc compression or nerve impingement contributing to dizziness or radiating symptoms. Spinal decompression therapy will gently relieve spinal pressure and promote healing in the upper neck region. Spinal decompression therapy works by gently stretching the spine to relieve pressure on those aching discs and nerves.
Shockwave therapy is a vertigo treatment that enhances blood circulation, reduces muscular tension, and supports healing in the neck and upper back. Shockwave therapy often relieves tension-linked dizziness symptoms by scrambling the nerve signals and stimulating the blood flow needed to maintain your balance.
Shockwave treatment can be administered in a variety of magnitudes. There are focused, short, zero-zapping, and radical forms of shockwave therapy that will treat a range of tension areas.
Meniere’s disease therapy addresses vertigo symptoms, ear fullness, and balance issues associated with fluid buildup or vestibular dysfunction. While Meniere’s disease has no known cure, understanding the contributing factors—such as fluid buildup, inflammation, or nerve interference—can point to effective management options. We make adjustments to the upper cervical spine that may help improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and reduce pressure buildup in the spine. Our approach focuses on improving neurological communication between the ear and spine.
Dysautonomia and POTS therapy support patients whose dizziness or faintness stems from an autonomic nervous system imbalance. Chiropractic care for dizziness helps with dysautonomia and POTS by improving C1 and C2 vertebrae alignment around the head and neck. In the case of POTS, the origin of your symptoms may not be easy to pin down, but it can still be treated and managed. While not life-threatening, POTS and dysautonomia symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life.
Many patients see a reduction in dizziness symptoms with a combination of lifestyle changes, physical therapy exercises, and medications to treat underlying conditions. Dysautonomia and POTS therapy help regulate blood pressure and improve body stability through upper cervical alignment and nerve flow optimization.
We’re currently accepting new patients at our Ball Ground office.
It’s best to seek chiropractic care for dizziness or vertigo when your symptoms are recurring. Or, when unexplained dizziness lasts longer than a few days, especially following an automobile or sports-related injury. Visit a professional when your balance issues worsen when turning your head or standing, or if your vertigo episodes are accompanied by neck stiffness, headaches, or ear pressure.
At Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic, we will get to the root cause of your vertigo symptoms and provide an excellent treatment plan that aligns with your long-term health goals.
Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic provides expertise in diagnosing and treating the neurological causes of dizziness and vertigo. Our patient-driven organization uses modern 3D imaging and motion-based diagnostics for precise alignment correction. We provide an integrative care approach that combines chiropractic care for dizziness with targeted therapies for conditions like Meniere’s disease, Dysautonomia, and so many more. Patients often report improvement in vertigo frequency and severity, reduced tinnitus, and greater overall well-being after a series of upper cervical corrections. Our compassionate, personalized treatment plans are designed for lasting relief.
It’s time to stop spinning. Dizziness can be treated naturally and effectively. Don’t lose hope for the future. Progress is made when you decide to change. At Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic, we teach you about the mechanisms of your body and explain how pain and various conditions can interfere with life. Chiropractic care for dizziness and vertigo can keep symptoms at bay.
Don’t let vertigo keep you from living confidently. Call (404) 282-2041 or schedule your consultation online today to start your path toward balance and stability.
Yes. Upper cervical care can restore proper nerve and blood flow to the brain, reducing balance problems and dizziness.
The top of the spine houses nerves that control balance and coordination. Misalignments here can trigger vertigo or unsteadiness
Absolutely. Upper cervical adjustments are gentle and non-invasive, making them safe for patients with sensitive conditions.
Some patients experience relief within a few visits, while chronic cases may take longer depending on the severity and cause.
Inner ear dysfunction, poor circulation, and spinal misalignments are common triggers. Chiropractic care helps address the spinal and nervous system components.