When you think of dizziness, you may imagine yourself spinning around as a child until you have to stop before you fall down. Now imagine watching a ballerina perform numerous pirouettes and then continue to dance without missing a step. How is this possible and does it give any clues to help those suffering from spells of dizziness?
Dizziness originates in the vestibular organs of the inner ear comprised of fluid-filled canals which sense movement of the head by tiny hairs contained within. The brain receives signals from the inner ear. When a person spins about quickly, the fluid continues to move, giving the brain the indication the head is still in motion. However, ballet dancers can do full body spins and not feel the dizziness others perceive. How is this possible?
A team of researchers studied 29 female dancers and 20 female rowers of similar age and fitness levels. The study revealed that eye reflexes and the perception of spinning were shorter in duration for the dancers than the rowers. A scan by an MRI showed there were differences in the cerebellum (processing input) and the cerebral cortex (perceiving dizziness). The conclusion of the study was that by understanding how the brain works and the underlying vestibular function, patients with chronic vestibular disorders – such as dizziness – may be able to receive better help.
A person may also feel dizzy if a misalignment of the bones exists in the upper cervical spine. This type of misalignment puts undue stress on the brainstem and may cause it to send distorted messages about the body’s location to the brain, thereby leading to dizziness.
Upper cervical chiropractors are specially trained to find these small misalignments. We then use a gentle method that encourages the bones to move back into place naturally without popping them. This can relieve the brainstem pressure and may also alleviate dizziness. To learn more, find an upper cervical chiropractor near you.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
