If you suffer from vertigo, you may be doing as much research as possible online to determine your course of action. The Internet is a great tool when it comes to research, but it is important to be able to tell fact from fiction. What we are about to do is consider a list of 7 of the most confusing misconceptions regarding vertigo. Then we will look at a natural form of care that is providing hope to many.

Myth #1 – Vertigo and the Fear of Heights Are the Same Thing

This is fiction – literally. There was a movie in 1958 called Vertigo that was about a man with a fear of heights. However, the technical term for fear of heights is acrophobia. Vertigo is a false sensation of movement often associated with the room seeming to spin.

Myth #2 – It Is a Medical Condition on Its Own

While this is debatable, it is technically not true. Vertigo is a symptom. In its most basic form, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is primarily vertigo with no other symptoms. However, even in this case, the condition is BPPV and vertigo is the primary symptom.

Myth #3 – Vertigo and Dizziness Are the Same

Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness. Vertigo, as already mentioned, is a false sensation of movement. The two are both related to the vestibular system (the part of the body that controls balance and spatial orientation), but it is important to make the distinction when describing symptoms for a medical professional because the causes can be very different.

Myth #4 – There Are No Home Remedies for Vertigo

Actually, there are quite a few ways to deal with vertigo at home. These may include:

• Specific exercise – There are certain maneuvers that help to reset the inner ear crystals that control balance assuming this is the underlying issue. A health practitioner can teach you these maneuvers.
• Get up slowly – If the spinning sensation is related to blood pressure, you may simply need to get up slowly to give your body time to increase blood pressure properly. However, it is also important to address the source of the blood pressure issue.
• Don’t bend over – Bending over can often trigger an attack. If this is true for you, have someone else pick up things for you that are below waist level. Or you may need to get a tool for grabbing items without bending over.

Myth #5 – All You Have to Do Is Stop Moving

There are some cases of mild vertigo when just laying down for a few minutes until it passes could help, but severe bouts of vertigo will continue even if you lay down and close your eyes. This is because while you can no longer see the room spinning and you know you are not moving, the body still senses movement. This is why a severe case of vertigo may lead to nausea and vomiting.

Myth #6 – It Isn’t Dangerous

Not viewing vertigo as dangerous may be the most insidious thing about it. While vertigo itself may not kill a person, it could easily cause a deadly fall. 1 in 3 seniors fall each year, and many of those falls result in injury or death. So vertigo is nothing to ignore. Also, if vertigo is accompanied by other symptoms of a cardiac event, it may be necessary to seek emergency medical attention since it can be a symptom of a heart attack.

Myth #7 – It Is Just a Part of Aging

While it is true that the risk of vertigo increases as a person ages, don’t write off your vertigo as something that you have to live with from now on. Many types of vertigo have an underlying cause that can be identified and corrected. Let’s look at one form of healthcare that is seeing a great deal of success in assisting vertigo patients – upper cervical chiropractic.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps Vertigo Sufferers

There are a number of studies that have revealed the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic for vertigo sufferers and Meniere’s disease (a vestibular condition that causes vertigo) patients. In one study involving 60 patients, all saw significant benefits and 80% had vertigo completely resolve!

Will you get similar results? It depends on the underlying cause of vertigo. For many, it is a misalignment of the atlas vertebra. This is the vertebra at the base of the skull that houses the brainstem. A misalignment can affect proper ear function, nerve function, and even restrict blood flow to the head. This can cause the underlying problems that lead to central (nervous system-based) or peripheral (ear-based) vertigo.

Upper cervical chiropractors use modern diagnostic technology to pinpoint misalignments to hundredths of a degree. We then administer low force corrections that are gentle and create lasting results. Corrections are only provided when a misalignment actually exists, and the longer your adjustments hold, the longer you can go between visits. That makes this a cost-effective form of care as well.

If you are suffering from vertigo, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma (i.e. a concussion or whiplash-type injury), then you are a prime candidate for this type of care. To learn more, contact an upper cervical practice in your local area. A no-obligation consultation can help you to make an informed choice as to whether this subspecialty of chiropractic is for you. It may be your first step down the path to better overall health and quality of life.

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