BPPV, short for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, accounts for most of the recorded vertigo cases. Patients who have BPPV often experience intense vertigo episodes when changing the head's orientation or position. This means that even the smallest movements, such as rolling on the side of the bed, can cause a brief but very uncomfortable spinning sensation. 

To help you understand the condition and find effective vertigo relief, let’s check out what BPPV stands for:

• Benign – Your condition isn’t deadly or harmful. 

• Paroxysmal – This refers to sudden and brief spasms or attacks. 
• Positional – Unlike other vertigo types, BPPV attacks when you make sudden movements or changes in position.
• Vertigo – It’s a condition where your mind gets tricked, making you feel like your surroundings are spinning or moving.  

What causes my BPPV vertigo episodes?

Vertigo episodes often result from an issue with your vestibular system, the part of the body that helps your brain perceive motion and balance. The vestibular system features sensors that allow you to sense linear movement and your head's orientation.

BBPV occurs when the otoliths or calcium carbonate crystals embedded inside the vestibular system get dislodged and migrate into another part of your ear.  Usually, this happens after a head or neck trauma or due to an ear infection. When they end up in places they shouldn’t be, your brain receives the wrong signals, tricking you into detecting false motion. 

How do I know if I have BPPV?

To find effective vertigo relief, you need to know what type of vertigo you have. A good indicator that you have BPPV is when you notice your symptoms only when you change your head’s position. Also, it’s relatively shorter than other types of vertigo. You can also use some of the factors below to verify that you have BPPV:

• You experience other symptoms such as chronic migraines and headaches. 
• Waking up makes you uncomfortable because you feel like everything around you is spinning. 
• When you lie down or change your pillow position, you experience vertigo.
• You notice odd eye movements or nystagmus when an episode starts. 

How Do You Fix Vertigo with BPPV?

Finding BPPV vertigo relief to some people seems extra tricky, most especially when even the slightest movements can trigger an episode. Here are several things you can try to cope with your condition: 

• The Epley Maneuver – Some patients find hope in the Epley Maneuver, a series of body movements you carry out with the assistance of a doctor. 

• Slow movements when waking up – To reduce the intensity of your vertigo attacks, you should slowly change your position when waking up from the bed. Avoid pacing out of the room to minimize head movements. 

• Manage your stress levels – Although sudden movements trigger BPPV, stress can significantly worsen your condition. Practice stress management tactics, like practicing deep breathing and maintaining a balanced diet. 

BPPV and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Aside from the natural remedies we listed above, you can also manage your condition with upper cervical chiropractic care. Because your condition relates to your head and neck’s position, seeking the help of an upper cervical chiropractor can provide you with much-needed vertigo relief.

In upper cervical chiropractic, the goal is to find and correct neck bone misalignment. Even the smallest degree of neck bone misalignment can affect your overall well-being and worsen your symptoms' severity.

Here are other proof of the connection between your BPPV and neck alignment:

• Your condition gets worse when you change your head’s orientation 

You notice aggravated symptoms when you try to extend your neck, turn your head, reach your toes, or roll over the bed.

• The abnormal position of your C1 and C2 bones affects signal transmission

Your brainstem serves as your brain’s information highway. If it gets irritated due to cervical bone misalignment, your brain ends up receiving the wrong signals, causing you to lose balance and perceive false motion.  

• You suffered from a neck or head trauma

An accident such as a car collision or a sports-related injury can over-extend your neck and impact your head. Consequently, this could cause cervical bone misalignment and dislodge the calcium crystals in your inner ear.

BPPV Vertigo Relief Is Possible with the Help of a Chiropractor

Upper cervical chiropractic works, and it can provide you with vertigo relief so you can enjoy your life better. It will also help reduce your vertigo symptoms naturally because each adjustment will gradually ease the bones to realign and release the pressure on the brainstem and your spin.

If you meet the criteria discussed above, such as movement-induced vertigo and a history of neck or head injury, upper cervical chiropractic can help you. It’s a precise and gentle process that involves a series of gradual adjustments. Your chiropractor will use customized adjustments to focus on the most critical points. 

Living with BPPV can sometimes be discouraging due to the impact that it makes on one’s life. It can prevent you from enjoying moments with your family and affect your ability to work or do the things you love.

With natural remedies such as upper cervical chiropractic, you can find hope in your condition. Many patients found success and have experienced reduced symptoms after having upper cervical adjustments. 

Are you decided to start your healing journey? Reach out to an upper cervical care chiropractor near you today to learn more about the approach and how you can slowly get your life back.

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