There is a growing awareness of the relationship between vertigo and neck alignment. Where vertigo comes from is a pressing question that many people have. This is especially true because vertigo symptoms are so confusing. They can include and be confused for dizziness, nausea, light headedness, and even migraine, anxiety, and motion sickness.
As an upper cervical chiropractor, I am very aware of the primary causes of vertigo symptoms. These can relate to problems in the ears, the eyes, and even to more serious problems in the brain.
People are always asking “How do I get relief from vertigo” or “Who treats vertigo?” They may not be aware of the connection between proper neck alignment and relief of vertigo symptoms.
Can vertigo be caused by neck alignment?
Yes, in many cases vertigo is actually caused by problem joint alignment in the neck. This is especially true in the first and second cervical vertebra.
Below is a video that looks at the cases of a man with pretty serious vertigo. He couldn’t find relief with other forms of vertigo treatment, such as Epleys maneuver for ear crystals or canalithiasis (BPPV vertigo).
The video shows the change in the position of his neck over time, especially at the atlas bone, and the mid-cervical spine.
Transcript from series “Ten Patients in Ten Minutes”
Here is the transcript of the video:
Yes,Hello there, this is Dr. Zachary Ward here in Auburn Hills, Michigan looking at ten patients in ten minutes.
Looking at a case that originally started with pretty serious vertigo. But when we discussed the fact that a lot of vertigo and dizziness is related to improper neck alignment, this gentleman decided to work with me over time. He wanted to see what kind of changes we could get in his cervical curve, as well as keep that vertigo at bay.
So we’re actually going to look at three x-rays spread out over four years.
Vertigo stays away with improved neck mechanics
So, when he originally started off, this is before any kind of adjustment or correction. The back of the first cervical vertebra and the back of the skull are very close to each other. The middle of the upper neck, which is right here, is very far away from the middle of the lower neck, which is back here.
And then we go to the lower neck. We’re going to see between c5 and c6, is an opposite angulation taking this into a reverse cervical curve down here. As opposed to being curved forward which is where it should be.
Now if we look at him a year later most of his symptoms have subsided, and we can see some shifts and changes. The back of the first cervical vertebra is coming away from the back of his skull. The middle of the top of the neck is closer to the middle of the bottom of the neck. Then, when we look at c5 and c6 down here, that reverse angulation has come out.
And you’re seeing a straight neck down here at the bottom as opposed to it being in the beginning of that reversed cervical curve.
The results of chiropractic care over time
So this gentleman would follow up with me every four to eight weeks over the next several years. We could just continue to make sure that his neck maintained its alignment. What we’ll see is that this stays relatively balanced. The c1-back-to-skull position is consistent. The middle of his neck now gets even closer to the middle portion of the lower neck. There’s no return on the reverse angulation. Overall the neck that used to be way back here, has now moved forward.
And of course that vertigo is never really an issue anymore. [Note: the emphasis of this video is seeing changes over time in the neck, that help avoid the return of a severe and debilitating case of vertigo. The patient’s vertigo symptoms subsided quickly over four weeks after the initial correction.]
If you have any question about this case or any other case you see in the series, you can go ahead and contact me via my contact box on LIAChiro.com.
If you’re here in my area you’re welcome to call 248-598-4002. You will get someone immediately if you call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., usually. Other times it may not be possible to answer the phone right away or you can look me up at Facebook.com/LIAChiropractic … Have a great day!
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