When a person has vertigo, they will have attacks where they feel like they or the environment around them is tilting and spinning. For some, the vertigo can be mild and it may only last a few seconds and for others, it can be severe and last from anywhere to a few minutes to a few hours.

Vertigo in and of itself is not a condition, but rather it is a symptom of some underlying cause. When it comes to treating vertigo, the exact cause of the problem needs to be determined in order to successfully treat the problem.

Most cases of vertigo have some relation to an inner ear problem. The brain relies on information for the ear to maintain balance, so problems like infection, nerve dysfunction and pressure can cause problems with the equilibrium and trigger bouts of vertigo. In addition to problems with the inner ear, vertigo can also be related to injuries to the head or neck, migraines and there are some medications that can affect the ear and make the person more prone to having vertigo attacks.

Chiropractic adjustments can be a good treatment option for many of the conditions that lead to problems with vertigo. Before the chiropractor begins treating a patient for vertigo, they will need to perform an interview and a physical examination. Once the chiropractor has determined the cause, they will then build a treatment plan that could include a variety of different techniques.

One common type of vertigo is BPPV, which is short for benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo. When a person experiences BPPV, certain positions of the head and body will trigger the attack. This condition occurs when small particles of calcium build up in the ear canal. For this type of vertigo, the Doctor of Chiropractic may have you perform different head maneuvering exercise to work the calcium deposits from the ear canal.

For vertigo that is associated with a neck injury, the chiropractor may use spinal manipulation to provide relief. When the cervical spine is injured, it can affect the nerves in the surrounding area, and this can result in false or incorrect signals being sent to the brain. By adjusting the alignment of the spine, proper nervous system function can be restored and this can correct issues with vertigo.

As another option, the chiropractor may prescribe exercise or offer lifestyle advice that could help to prevent attacks. With certain types of vertigo, exercise can be used to prevent attacks, and there may be issues with certain foods that you are eating or medications that you are taking. In addition to that, the chiropractor may also make certain recommendations about your sleeping habits and your positioning when you sleep.

Chiropractic care offers a gentle and non-invasive treatment option for many of the conditions that can trigger vertigo. However, there are some cases that may not be treatable through chiropractic care. Part of the purpose of the first visit and the interview and examination stage will be to determine whether chiropractic care is a viable option for treating your vertigo.