Why Chiropractic Care for Vertigo?
Vertigo is a common symptom presenting in chiropractic patients, especially after head and neck trauma. Vertigo and dizziness can be a very disabling complaint. It is a sense of spinning, sometimes associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sweating. Misalignments in the cervical spine (neck) create abnormal biomechanics resulting in miscommunication from the brain to the body and back to the brain resulting in cervicogenic (from the neck) vertigo. Chiropractic adjustments correct the biomechanics maximizing the communication from the brain to the body which improves vertigo. Chiropractic care provides a simple, yet, holistic approach for vertigo and other symptoms which gives the body the best chance for health and longevity.
Case Study
A young man, in his late 20’s, was suffering with debilitating neck pain and back pain, as well as, dizziness for over twenty years. His condition was the result of a car accident that occurred when he was a child. The resulting diagnosis, from several doctors, revealed that the young man was suffering from nonresponsive cervicogenic dizziness. The patient sought various treatments including medications, physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic, with minimal relief. Several years before seeking chiropractic care, the patient had severe psychological distress after his parents separated and his brother dying after years of heavy drug abuse. This episode worsened his neck and back pain, with the dizziness increasing in severity.
The patient was thoroughly examined by several hospitals in Norway for possible conditions such as peripheral vestibular diseases, infections, cardiovascular conditions, drugs- and alcohol-related dizziness, metabolic and endocrine conditions, and other neurological conditions. The test did not return any diagnosis. While seeking medical treatment the symptoms were increasing in severity, and was provoked by head movements and caused him severe discomfort when lying down, also giving him problems when sleeping. Further testing showed that the man fulfilled the criteria of Cervicogenic Vertigo dizziness related to sensation of excessive motion, imbalance, and spinning associated with neck pain and stiffness.
Results
After traditional medicine failed to make progress, a more thorough chiropractic assessment was made and found joint mobility abnormalities in the lower cervical spine. A series of 17 chiropractic adjustments over 2 months were scheduled, with additional 5 visits over the next 4 months. Initial results of chiropractic care resulted in reduced pain and dizziness and increased ROM. The patient reported a further reduction in pain and dizziness following the sacrum (lower back) adjustments, noticing an overall improved functioning in his total spine. Sleep also improved at this stage of the treatment. The next 4 treatments were directed to improve cervicothoracic motion by adjusting cervical vertebra. The results were a marked reduction of muscle soreness, improved ROM, and a substantial reduction in pain and dizziness. Overall the patient reported a substantial reduction in neck and back pain, reduced dizziness and an improved quality of life.
Conclusion
Vertigo can be a debilitating issue and if not dealt with properly will negatively impact your health and quality of life. Furthermore, when your joints are not moving as they should creating abnormal biomechanics in that area misaligning the spine putting pressure on the nerve called a subluxation, especially in the cervical spine, these subluxations create a neurological change in that area creating miscommunication from the brain to the tissues predisposing those tissues to the disease process each-and-every time. Chiropractic adjustments have proven to be effective for Vertigo, decreased range of motion and neck pain by focusing on its cause. Chiropractic adjustments removes subluxations that restore and maintain proper function by removing nerve interference maximizing the communication from the brain to the tissues allowing the body to function at its optimal level of health.
