Vertigo is a sensation of spinning and imbalance caused by a disturbance in the sense of equilibrium in the brain. Often, it affects the inner ear, in the region that monitors the directions of motion. It is also sometimes caused by calcium or fluid build-up or even a virus.

Some tests have proven that specific yoga postures can improve balance and stimulate the nervous system. Therefore, yoga has value in helping prevent vertigo from happening.

Vertigo Causes and Symptoms

Vertigo or dizziness mostly occurs when the inner ear is not receiving enough blood flow. Viruses, like those causing the common flu or cold, can affect the inner ear and also hinder the brain's nerve connections. As a result, it can cause severe vertigo too.

Any harm or damage to the skull or neck may induce devastating dizziness accompanied by hearing loss and nausea. In many cases, specific foods or airborne particles (like molds, dust, pollens, danders, etc.) to which some people are allergic to, can also trigger vertigo.

Diseases of the nerves such as tumors, multiple sclerosis, and syphilis can also affect your balance.

Vertigo and Our Sense of Balance

Our sense of balance is a complicated interaction between our vision, the inner ear, and somatosensory systems (physical cues that inform the brain where the body is concerning its environment). People suffering from vestibular disorders experience vertigo, dizziness, disorientation, and poor coordination. 

Why Some Yoga Poses Are Helpful for Patients with Vertigo

There are specific yoga postures which can stimulate the nervous system and the balance centers in the inner ear. These poses can also help improve concentration and focus. These positions have a direct effect on the body’s sympathetic nervous system while also stimulating blood circulation to the head and other parts of the body.

• Shanmukhi Mudra

This yoga position can help calm the brain and the nervous system. It also helps in preventing and reducing anxiety, irritation, or anger. People who practice this move report that it helps relax and rejuvenate their eyes, facial nerves, and tissues.

• Paschimottanasana

This yoga position mainly acts as a stress reliever. It can help diminish your anger, anxiety, and irritability. Also, it can bring balance to the menstrual cycles. This is excellent for women who just gave birth.

• Salamba Sirsasana

This move can help overcome problems of the kidneys, liver, intestines, stomach, and reproductive organs because of its reverse-pull effect of gravity on the organs. Apart from helping relieve patients of their vertigo attacks, when practiced for some period, it can also help stimulate the pineal and pituitary glands. These glands aid in the growth and production of sex hormones.

• Halasana

This position helps open up and strengthen your shoulder, neck, abs, and back muscles. It can also relax the nervous system. As a result, it can reduce your stress levels and assist in stimulating the thyroid gland. This move can also significantly help women during their menopause stage.

• Nadi Shodhan Pranayama

This process helps purify the blood and respiratory system. The deeper breathing can enrich the blood with much-needed oxygen while strengthening the respiratory system. It is also known to help balance the nervous system.

• Shavasana

This yoga posture brings a more profound, meditative state of rest, which can facilitate the repair of your cells and tissues, and it can also release stress. As a result, it can cause a reduction in blood pressure, insomnia, and anxiety.

In short, healthy and pure blood flow to your brain cells is the essence of the process in helping reduce vertigo attacks. Some yoga positions can help stimulate the nervous system and purify the blood, which goes to the brain. The specific yoga poses listed above can be a great help and therapy for vertigo patients.

Poses to Avoid If You Have Vertigo

People with positional vertigo (BPPV) should avoid taking sudden forward bends. Downward facing positions are also wrong for your balance. Furthermore, vertigo patients must practice yoga very slowly to prevent dizzy spells or vertigo attacks. Practice breathing slowly and adequately so you can start relaxing.

Vertigo and Upper Cervical Chiropractic

There is a natural way to deal with vertigo. It deals with the root cause that affects both the ears and the central nervous system (CNS). 

Vertigo patients should look toward the neck or the upper cervical spine. This part of the body is the primary focus of upper cervical chiropractic. When the top bones, the atlas (C1) or axis (C2), in the neck show misalignment, this can lead to changes in the surrounding tissues that connect to both the ear function and the central nervous system. As a result, ear functions may change. Thus, it can diminish the capacity of the Eustachian tubes. When these tubes malfunction, they start not to drain the excess fluid appropriately. Therefore, vertigo becomes one of its possible symptoms. 

Also, an upper cervical misalignment disrupts and limits the cerebral blood flow, further blocking the CNS activity. Thus, the interpretations of sensory and balance signals from other parts of the body to the brain become distorted.

Proof That Upper Cervical Chiropractic Succeeds

In a study with 60 patients with chronic vertigo, all patients had misalignments in the upper cervical spine. All of them responded well after receiving upper cervical chiropractic care. Forty-eight patients became symptom-free, and the remaining 12 experienced significant improvement; they reported reduced severity and frequency of their vertigo attacks.

Find an upper cervical chiropractor in your city to help you with your vertigo or any vestibular condition.

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