Unknown to many people, vertigo attacks happen because of several dysfunctions in the body. That's why most cases of vertigo attacks require a multi-disciplinary approach. For example, you might need to check with an upper cervical doctor if you need an atlas bone adjustment. On top of that, you should consider narrowing down the root cause of your vertigo—which can range from vestibular disorders to life-threatening central nervous system problems. 

How much information do you know about your episodes? That is the question. If you're like most patients who are oblivious to the connections of their vertigo attacks to the different body systems, our discussion below might help you understand things better.  

A Symptom And Not an Illness 

We often remind patients seeking vertigo relief that spinning sensations aren't a disease or disorder. Instead, they mainly indicate underlying health concerns such as BPPV, inner ear problems, acoustic neuroma, Meniere's disease, brainstem ischemia, diabetes, and arrhythmia. 

In most cases, vertigo episodes don't require immediate medical attention. But, sometimes, it pays to be cautious, especially if you are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attacks, and carotid artery disease. 

 You should also take your vertigo attacks seriously if they recur several times a month or if you previously had a cervical spine or head injury. It's quite likely that you have a cervical subluxation a common side effect of car collisions, concussions, whiplash injuries, bad posture, stress, and other forms of trauma. If you have a history of these issues, you may need a neck chiropractor for a gentle and precise atlas bone adjustment.

On the one hand, you should ask for medications like anti-nausea drugs or anti-viral and antibiotics if you have inner ear infections like vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis. 

To help you understand the likely reason behind your crippling vertigo episodes, let's walk you through the connection between your proprioception problem and different body systems. 

Vertigo and Your Vestibular System

The inner ear works hand in hand with your brain to detect movements and maintain balance. Sadly, when something goes wrong inside your inner ears, the vestibulocochlear nerve fails to function correctly. According to studies, here are some vestibular defects that can lead to spinning sensations: 

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• Meniere's disease
• Inner ear infections (labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis)

Vertigo and the CNS   

Some cases of vertigo attacks stem from abnormalities in the central nervous system. That's because the brain plays an active part in proprioception. It interprets the signals from the vestibular organs, so if it fails to work correctly, you detect false movements. Here are notable examples of conditions that trigger CNS-related vertigo episodes: 

Migraines

Did you know that up to 40% of migraineurs experience vertigo as a primary symptom? Notably, most of these patients experience silent migraines. 

Multiple sclerosis

MS afflicts millions of individuals in the world. Most of these patients experience dizziness and vertigo attacks when exposed to triggers. 

Brainstem tumor

Cancerous or non-cancerous tissue growth in the brainstem can disrupt the communication pathways of the CNS and vestibular system. This leads to confusion and sudden bouts of vertigo attacks.  

Vertigo and The Neck

Although the neck isn't exactly a body system, it performs two crucial functions—supporting the head and protecting the cranial nerves and the brainstem. Naturally, the neck can't work correctly if the bones shift or move out of their normal alignment. This leads to postural problems affecting the inner ear organs and the brain. Furthermore, the neck bone problem can impede brainstem function, leaving you susceptible to mishaps, including vertigo-causing disorders. 

Unknown to many people, postural misalignments that warrant an atlas bone adjustment can happen for various reasons. Some examples of these include the following:

• Overextension of the neck during a rear-end collision
• Poor posture when sitting or standing 
• Existence of degenerative disc diseases
• Physical overexertion, especially when working out 
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Too much stress or anxiety
• Carrying heavy bags or items the wrong way

Atlas Bone Adjustment: The Solution to Recurring Vertigo

Vertigo attacks can come and go for people with diseases and disorders such as those listed above. Thankfully though, with the help of healthcare interventions like atlas bone adjustments, patients have a better chance of resolving the problem. 

So, what exactly is an atlas bone adjustment, and why do many patients seek it as a vertigo remedy? Here's a quick list of facts to help you understand better: 

• C1 bone adjustment focuses on addressing postural problems that may be contributing to your vertigo attacks.
• The adjustments follow strict measurements that a neck chiropractor obtains during the initial assessment of the C1 and C2 bones.
• Upper cervical chiropractic doctors provide spinal manipulations to eliminate interferences between the CNS and the vestibular system.
• Upper cervical chiropractic care also comes in handy in promoting normal fluid drainage in the ears to prevent problems like Meniere’s and inner ear infections.
• Depending on the technique used, an upper cervical chiropractic doctor might apply the adjustments manually or through a special tool or an adjustment table.
• Each case of upper cervical misalignment is different, so sometimes, the duration of the procedure differs from one patient to another. 
• The adjustments provided can last for years. However, it would help to avoid activities that trigger misalignment, such as mishandling heavy items, tilting your neck down for hours, and overextending your cervical spine. 

Ready to explore a different and holistic way of managing vertigo attacks and addressing imbalances in your body? Consult an upper cervical chiropractic doctor and learn if you need an atlas bone adjustment today!

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