Treat Vertigo, Improve Balance

Did you know that chiropractors are able to help relieve certain types of dizziness and vertigo? Often, relief is almost instant following treatment. Research also shows that in the long term may also help improve balance. However, it's important to let a professional examine you first to determine if your symptoms may be caused by something more serious. It's the first step to receiving what the appropriate treatment is for your condition. Let's take a look at the different types of vertigo we can help without drugs or surgery. Then, a few types that require additional screening or intervention.

There are two different types of vertigo. Central vertigo is caused by an issue in the brain. Peripheral vertigo is more common, attributed to 80% of all vertigo, and is caused by a problem in the inner ear that interferes with balance. We will start with peripheral vertigo conditions first, since it's the most common and treatable.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Despite it's complex name, it's the most common type of vertigo. This type of vertigo makes it feel like the room is spinning and is often triggered by changes in head position. This might occur when you tip your head up or down, when you lie down, or when you turn over or sit up in bed. You may also experience nausea or vomiting.

BPPV is a condition that causes small crystals to get loose and start to float in the fluid of your inner ear. The movement of the crystals and the fluid leads you to feel dizzy. Sometimes an ear injury can lead to BPPV.

Although the symptoms are extremely uncomfortable, BPPV is rarely a serious condition. The exception is perhaps increased risk of falling due to dizziness. Often, there is no known cause. Treatment for BPPV can be effectively administered at our office during a routine session. We may even be able to show you strategies that you can use at home during an episode of BPPV. This type of vertigo is easy to treat and may have you feeling better almost instantly.

Tension headaches/migraines

Although tension headaches and migraines can often present without vertigo or dizziness, it is sometimes a symptom of this condition. When long periods of time are spent in a bad posture or stress is causing you to tense your muscles, you can develop overuse tension in the neck muscles. This can lead to headaches and migraines, and in severe cases, cause vertigo. This is another case where chiropractic treatment can be effective. By using manual therapy techniques to relieve tight and tender muscles, and performing exercises for correcting bad postures can improve symptoms in the long term.

Vestibular neuronitis

Vestibular neuronitis causes severe dizziness that comes on suddenly and lasts for 2 to 3 weeks. Doctors think an infection with a virus may be the cause. While chiropractic care may not specifically be able to help with this particular condition, anti-inflammatory drugs can sometimes help ease symptoms.

Central vertigo

Central vertigo is caused by a disease or injury to the brain, such as head injuries, illness or infection, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, or strokes. While chiropractors will not treat these conditions directly, they can help diagnose these types of conditions so that you can be referred to the type of care required by this condition.

Finding out the root cause of the vertigo and treating it is the only way to manage central vertigo. If migraines are the cause, for instance, medication and reducing your stress may help. For some ongoing conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and some tumors, treatment may consist of managing the symptoms. This may include medicines for nausea and drugs that help lessen the sensation of movement.

A stroke in the brain can trigger not only vertigo but slurred speech, problems moving, weakness, and numbness/tingling. You should get emergency help right away if you are experiencing any of those symptoms during a vertigo episode.