Dizziness, Vertigo, and Your Neck?

Does your vertigo affect your life? Over 35% of American adults over age 40 reported having some form of dizziness. (1) It can be frustrating to describe your symptoms to your family and friends. Dizziness has many different causes.

There are 3 body parts that contribute to proper balance:

1. Inner ear/brain structure
2. Eyes
3. Information from muscles and joints (through spinal cord)

If any one of the above is damaged, thus sending improper information, it can cause dizziness. What differentiates vertigo from dizziness is the feeling as if you are moving. It can be a scary experience.

How is my neck related to my vertigo?

Neck trauma is a common cause of dizziness. (2) When the neck is injured, the top bone in the neck (Atlas) can misalign. This causes pressure on your spinal cord. When there is pressure on your spinal cord, improper information is sent from the muscles and joints to the brain. This causes your brain to not know exactly where your body is in space and can be a cause of dizziness or vertigo.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Vertigo Sufferers

Here at Upper Cervical Hawaii, Dr. Breuwet is trained in upper cervical chiropractic. This is a gentle chiropractic procedure designed to realign the atlas bone. Each correction is specific to the individual patient. Through realigning the top bone in the neck, pressure in the spinal cord is reduced. This allows for the correct signals to be sent to the brain about the position of joints and muscles. Consequently, dizziness or vertigo may be reduced.

In a study conducted by Elster, 60 chronic vertigo patients received upper cervical (Atlas) chiropractic care. 48 out of the 60 patients experienced complete remission of their symptoms after completing their course of care. The remaining 12 patients experienced a reduction in frequency and/or severity of their vertigo episodes. (3)

If you suffer from frequent dizziness or vertigo, give us a call at 808-201-1324.

References 

1 .Agrawal Y, Carey JP, Della Santina CC, Schubert MC, Minor LB. Disorders of balance and vestibular function in US adults. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10): 938-944. – See more at: https://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder#sthash.cPh6sLUI.dpuf

2. Tucci D. Dizziness and Vertigo – Ear Nose and Throat Disorders [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Internet]. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. 2013 [cited 2 November 2015]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear-nose-and-throat-disorders/approach-to-the-patient-with-ear-problems/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 2 November 2015];2006(Nov):1-9. Available from: https://vertebralsubluxation.sharepoint.com/Pages/2006_1174_Vertigo.aspx

About the Author

Dr. Joe Breuwet

Upper Cervical Hawaii, LLC

Dr. Breuwet is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and has studied and practiced the National Upper Cervical Care Association (NUCCA) technique for the past 17 years. After spending 10 years in the hotel industry as a General Manager, I decided to follow my passion and enter into the natural health care field. During my first few months at Palmer College, I quickly came to the realization that there are many different types of Chiropractic. I decided to learn and practice the most precise and specific form of Chiropractic, NUCCA.