Vertigo, a type of vestibular disorder, can cause a whirling or spinning sensation or the illusion that the world or self is moving when in fact it is still. A vertigo episode can be accompanied by imbalance, unsteadiness, nausea, hearing changes, and problems with memory and coordination.
Whiplash and blows to the head are the most common cause of vestibular disorders in people under the age of 50. However, sometimes this connection may not be made because vertigo doesn’t appear for many months or even years following the initial injury. In that case, the ability to identify the root cause of vertigo, stemming from the original accident, is key to attaining relief that is long lasting.
A Natural Solution for Vertigo Sufferers
One thing many vertigo sufferers have in common is a past injury to the head and neck. This could be something as seemingly minor as a fender bender, a sports injury, or a slip and fall. Any of these events can cause a misalignment of the upper cervical spine, made up of your atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae. The atlas and axis are responsible for the majority of the range of motion of your head. They are the most freely movable of the entire spine, and as such, can be vulnerable to shifting out of normal alignment.
When this type of misalignment occurs, it can hinder the way that the brain functions. The brain normally communicates with the rest of the body, including the inner ear and the other components of the vestibular system, over the brainstem and nerves. An upper cervical misalignment can cause irritation of the brainstem and surrounding tissues that can disrupt this normal signaling system.
Upper cervical chiropractors have additional training in the detection of these misalignments using thorough examinations and specific x-rays. When the nature of the problem is able to be determined, we are oftentimes able to get to the root cause of vertigo. Many of our patients have reported a decrease in both the frequency and severity of their symptoms since beginning care with us.
References:
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