If you’ve ever stood up and felt the room spin, you know how unsettling vertigo can be. It’s more than just feeling dizzy. For many people in Walnut Creek, California, vertigo can disrupt daily life, making simple tasks like walking, driving, or even getting out of bed a serious challenge.
You might be wondering: Can a chiropractor help with vertigo? The short answer is yes – depending on the cause of your vertigo, chiropractic care may be a safe and effective treatment option. Let’s explore how.
Understanding Vertigo: What Exactly Is It?
Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, either of yourself or your surroundings, when there’s no actual movement. It differs from general lightheadedness or unsteadiness.
While vertigo is a symptom, not a condition itself, it typically points to a problem within the inner ear, vestibular system, or central nervous system.
Common Causes of Vertigo
The root cause of your vertigo can differ, but it often includes:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): The most common type of vertigo, caused by calcium crystals (otoliths) shifting in the inner ear canals.
- Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis: Inflammation from an infection affecting the vestibular nerve.
- Ménière’s disease: Abnormal fluid levels in the inner ear.
- Migraine-associated vertigo: Vertigo may accompany or follow a migraine.
- Cervicogenic vertigo: Dysfunction in the cervical spine or neck, often after whiplash or neck injury.
Other less common causes include brain tumors, stroke, malignancy, and drug side effects.
Therefore, accurate diagnosis and treatment are key.
How a Chiropractor Can Help With Vertigo
You might be surprised, but a chiropractor can help manage symptoms of vertigo, particularly when the cause stems from the spine or nervous system.
Chiropractic Care For Vertigo Relief
Chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive method to address vertigo by targeting the spinal column, posture, and neurological signals. If your vertigo is linked to issues in the cervical spine or nervous system, specific chiropractic adjustments may help restore balance.
Chiropractic care for vertigo focuses on:
- Aligning the spine to reduce nerve interference
- Enhancing blood flow to the brain
- Reducing tension in surrounding soft tissues
- Improving vestibular system function
Types of Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo
Depending on your diagnosis, your chiropractor may use several chiropractic treatment techniques:
- Spinal adjustments: Help restore proper alignment in the cervical vertebrae and improve nervous system function.
- Epley Maneuver: A series of guided head movements designed to reposition the displaced crystals responsible for BPPV.
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises: A physical therapy technique to retrain your balance system.
- Soft tissue therapy and massage: Helps with muscle tone and neck tension that may exacerbate vertigo symptoms.
- Posture correction: Faulty posture can stress the neck, interfering with proper nerve function and balance regulation.
When to See a Chiropractor for Vertigo
So when should you consider visiting a chiropractor for vertigo in Walnut Creek?
You might benefit from chiropractic care if:
- You’ve been suffering from vertigo that isn’t improving or keeps returning
- You experience neck pain, muscle tightness, or a history of whiplash
- Your vertigo includes headaches, nausea, vomiting, or changes in posture
- You’ve been diagnosed with BPPV or cervicogenic vertigo
Chiropractic care helps relieve vertigo by addressing its possible root causes in the spine and nervous system. A qualified chiropractor will perform a comprehensive assessment, possibly including neurological tests, to formulate an individualized treatment plan.
Identifying the Type of Vertigo Matters
Not all vertigo is the same. It’s important to know what type of dizziness you’re experiencing.
Main Types of Vertigo
Vertigo can be classified into:
- Peripheral vertigo: Originates from a problem in the inner ear or vestibular system (e.g., BPPV, labyrinthitis)
- Central vertigo: Caused by issues in the central nervous system, such as concussions, migraines, or stroke.
Chiropractic care may be most effective for cases of peripheral vertigo, like BPPV and cervicogenic vertigo.
Expectations During Chiropractic Treatment
If it’s your first chiropractic visit for vertigo, here’s what to expect:
- A detailed health history and symptom review
- Neurological and balance assessments
- Evaluation of spinal posture, muscle tension, and possible whiplash history
- A personalized treatment plan, which may include spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and exercise
Your chiropractor may also advise on lifestyle habits that could exacerbate vertigo symptoms, such as hydration, sleep quality, and stress. High stress levels can exacerbate vertigo in some patients due to their impact on blood pressure and the nervous system.
Can Chiropractors Treat BPPV?
Yes, chiropractors can help treat BPPV using repositioning strategies like the Epley maneuver.
This treatment option helps move the dislodged crystals from the ear canal so they stop stimulating sensations of spinning.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Vertigo
Here are just a few reasons chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for vertigo:
- Offers drug-free relief without side effects
- Addresses the possible root cause instead of masking symptoms
- Improves balance (ability) and coordination
- May reduce the frequency of vertigo episodes
- Helps restore vestibular function and spinal posture
When tailored to your needs, chiropractic care can help reduce vertigo symptoms and improve daily function. And if your condition needs medical attention from neurology or ENT specialists, your chiropractor will refer accordingly.
Curious about various treatment methods? Our chiropractic services detail more techniques we use to support the human musculoskeletal system.
Don’t Let Vertigo Control Your Life
Whether your vertigo is caused by an inner ear problem, poor spinal alignment, or past injury, a chiropractor may be able to help. In Walnut Creek, individuals dealing with vertigo don’t have to feel stuck or disoriented forever.
A chiropractor for vertigo can perform specific therapies to help relieve symptoms of dizziness and vertigo, restore balance, and manage vertigo long-term. From manual therapy to vestibular exercises, chiropractic care offers a personalized, non-invasive approach to vertigo that gets to the root.
If you’re suffering from vertigo and unsure where to start, consider scheduling a consultation.
Let a certified chiropractor help you explore how chiropractic care helps relieve vertigo and put you back on track to steadier, more confident living.
Final Thoughts
Vertigo is a condition that can get in the way of your daily rhythm. But with the right diagnosis and a focused treatment plan, better days are possible. Whether it’s BPPV, cervicogenic vertigo, or another condition, chiropractic care offers real strategies for support.
If you’re still wondering whether chiropractic treatment is right for you, reach out to a health professional in Walnut Creek with experience in treating vertigo. Don’t let vertigo keep you off balance – the right care can help you live more confidently and comfortably.
Have questions or want to share your experience with vertigo? Leave a comment or connect with us to learn more.
