Vertigo is a common problem that can occur in people who have experienced a traumatic injury to their neck or head. It may happen because of a disturbance in the nerve pathways departing from the spinal column. Dizziness is what a vertigo patient may experience, along with the feeling of movement or spinning.
Vertigo may not be very dangerous, but it can make daily life difficult. Nausea and vomiting are likely to happen with vertigo. Moreover, it can affect your vision and make it hard for you to walk. Fortunately, there are several things a chiropractor can do to treat vertigo. How can a chiropractor help with vertigo? Let us discuss this in detail. First, let us take a glance at the vertigo symptoms.
Vertigo and spine sensations are interrelated. The most common signs of these conditions are feelings of imbalance, swaying, and spinning. But these are not the only ones. Those who have vertigo may also suffer from the following:
The signs and symptoms a vertigo patient may experience would last for about some minutes to some hours.
Have you ever got the feeling that everything around you is spinning? If yes, you may be having vertigo. Vertigo is a widespread problem that happens because of body imbalance from the inner ear or vestibular system.
Central nervous system disorders, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and Meniere’s disease are the other causes of vertigo. Here is a brief about them:
Central nervous system disorders, as the name suggests, are the conditions that affect the central nervous system. These may even result in vertigo. Some examples of these conditions are migraines and multiple sclerosis.
BPPV causes a dislodging of tiny calcium crystals within the inner ear and a disruption in the balance system. Moreover, this condition can result in abrupt episodes of vertigo, mainly when the person changes head positions.
Meniere’s disease is a condition that happens within the inner ear. It can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and vertigo. What causes Meniere’s disease is yet to be discovered. However, it is said that this condition has some connection with an imbalance in the fluid inside the inner ear.
Vertigo, in most instances, is curable. Also, it is of various types. Here is a brief about the types of vertigo:
Central vertigo happens because of a disease originating from the central nervous system. Brain tumors and multiple sclerosis are a few examples of these diseases.
Peripheral vertigo occurs due to a problem in the inner ear. The inner ear helps in controlling the body’s balance.
Cervicogenic vertigo is a type of vertigo that happens because of a problem with neck movement.
If your healthcare professional detects that you are having or may have had a stroke or a blow to the head, they may recommend you go for an MRI scan. Often, folks going to their doctor due to dizziness will ask questions about their signs initially. They may also be asked about the medications they are taking. Later, they will have to undergo a physical test where their doctor will see how they walk and maintain balance. The other tests may include:
In an eye movement test, you will close one eye, and the chiropractor will ask you to gaze and follow through your finger. If you are having uncontrollable eye movement, it implies that your external eyeball muscles are improperly functioning. This can also be the reason for your dizziness because it is getting harder for your eyes to track things while you are moving.
The Dix Hallpike Maneuver will place your head in a particular posture for a few minutes. If there is an instance of dizziness or rapid eye movement, it means you may suffer from BPPV. The patient does not need to prepare for anything prior to this test.
In the Rotary Chair Testing, the patient sits on a computer-operated chair that rotates too slowly in a full circle. The chair moves back and forth in a small arc at quicker speeds.
Neck assessment or cervical joint assessment is another critical test that a chiropractor will conduct. This will let you identify any misalignment in the neck area or musculoskeletal condition that is causing vertigo. The assessment will generally use palpation, neck movement, and other specialized tests.
Besides the tests mentioned above, the patients might also have to undergo a blood test. This is mainly to check for any infection.
Vertigo is not always the reason why people pay a visit to a chiropractor. People who have first visited a chiropractor report a satisfactory level of relief. Those who visit a chiropractor for balance issues or dizziness can get better relief than those visiting any other medical professional.
In a study, it was proven that a doctor in chiropractic may aid in vertigo and fall prevention. Also, compared to other medical professionals, they do so at a greater rate. Following are some of the top strategies a chiropractor may apply to treat vertigo:
The purpose of mobilizations is to enhance your joint function and flexibility. A chiropractic expert can use manual procedures or special tools to mobilize the damaged vertebrae. With these movements, the patient can have a proper recovery of the spinal alignment. In addition, these can lower the stiffness or any limitations that often cause dizziness.
It won’t be wrong to call spinal adjustments a cornerstone of chiropractic vertigo treatment. Spine adjustments entail the application of regulated and abrupt force to certain spine joints. A chiropractic doctor performs spinal adjustments to lessen the interference of nerves. This may help in enhancing the interaction between the body and brain. Hence, it eases the signs of vertigo.
The techniques of Soft Tissue Therapy (STR) cure adhesions, tension, or muscle imbalances. This therapy can help reduce stress in muscles and promote circulation. With this, you can alleviate pain and boost mobility.
Posture is one of the primary considerations that a chiropractor focuses on during a vertigo diagnosis. In many folks, poor posture is a concern that can happen because of several things. Poor posture may result in irritation of nerves in the spine that can be responsible for vertigo.
However, a chiropractor has the knowledge to address posture issues and knows how to get you back in shape. They may include specific exercises, stretches, and spinal manipulation in the treatment.
Chiropractic care may also include vestibular rehabilitation exercises. These can help in improving balance and strengthening the vestibular system. What is a vestibular system? The vestibular system is the key component in eye movements and postural reflexes.
Vestibular rehabilitation exercises may incorporate balance training and gaze stabilization exercises.
Changing diet plan or lifestyle can also be a part of the chiropractic vertigo treatment. The chiropractor might recommend several dietary and lifestyle changes to make the patient’s condition better. These can help reduce inflammation and boost spine health. On the whole, it supports the overall wellness of the patient.
A chiropractic massage can help in relieving stress and can also remove toxins from the body. This kind of massage is usually combined with spinal manipulation to get the muscles around the spine healthy and working correctly.
Mostly, the back muscles of the body suffer cramping, and we don’t even realize that. A chiropractic massage helps in normalizing those cramped muscles.
Do you have vertigo because of misalignment of the spine, inner ear problem, or any other condition? If yes, you are the ideal candidate for chiropractic care. Even if you are suffering from vertigo because of any traumatic event like a car accident, you can still go for chiropractic treatments.
Before you make a decision, talk to your doctor regarding chiropractic care. Know whether a chiropractic treatment is good for you or not.
Your chiropractic doctor will prescribe you treatment or medications after determining the cause of the conditions and the symptoms. Even though they don’t find the cause or if the dizziness continues, certain prescription medications may help.
Here are some prescription medications a vertigo patient can take to lessen the signs and better manage their condition:
You can get relief from the vertigo signs and improve balance by visiting a Chiropractor. Besides, the chiropractor care can even offer the following benefits:
When you have vertigo, your chiropractor may ask you to prepare a diet plan rich in potassium. Here is a list of some potassium-rich foods to have in vertigo:
If you want to avoid the recurrent episodes of dizziness, then you must include the following lifestyle changes in your routine:
Are you going to a specialist to treat your vertigo or dizziness? There are certain things that you need to know that will help you become ready for your appointment. Let us look at some helpful tips to follow before and during your visit:
Whenever you are planning to visit a doctor’s office, you must keep in mind that you have to arrive early. In all medical offices, it is crucial to do a little paperwork before proceeding. This is mandatory in almost every facility, no matter how early you arrive.
It is advisable to come at least 15-20 minutes early to get time to fill out the necessary patient forms. By doing this, you won’t be late for your actual appointment.
Your initial appointment with a chiropractor may include chiropractic adjustment. In this procedure, you will lie on a table in various positions. It may also be possible that your chiropractor may need to remove your clothing for imaging tests like X-ray. But this is quite a rare situation.
For women, it would be great to wear loose-fitting slacks and a T-shirt rather than a dress. Tight jeans may not be appropriate, so you might prefer wearing shorts. Tennis shoes or flats are fine as they are easy to remove.
Men, on the other hand, should also prefer wearing tennis shoes and loose-fitting clothes like T-shirts and sweatpants. Discarding ties, belts, and suspenders would be a great idea.
The chiropractor may also come up with a treatment plan during your visit. You must prepare yourself with a list of questions you can ask before leaving. Make a list on a notebook or mobile phone; it should include the following:
Most chiropractors want their patients to get a therapeutic massage before the spinal adjustments. Other chiropractors like to have a post-massage. This depends on the patient’s condition and the chiropractor itself, but most folks do not expect a calming massage from their visit.
As you are through with other treatments, you may like to come back just for the massage. For you, this can be one of the best parts of your chiropractic visit.
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive healthcare approach. The prime focus of this care is to diagnose and prevent the disorder in the neuromusculoskeletal system. Be it a form of therapy or a preventive measure for vertigo, chiropractic care can help in both ways. From the body’s intrinsic ability to recover itself to prevent the vertigo signs altogether, chiropractic care helps a lot.
Seeking the best chiropractic care in Jackson Heights, NY? Contact Realign Spine today and make an appointment with our highly qualified chiropractor, Dr. Michael Shaub. Do not let vertigo become a serious hindrance in your daily tasks. Call us today at +1-888-269-7246. We are available from Monday to Friday.