Why Vertigo and Inner Ear Problems Go Hand in Hand

January 9, 2022

vertigo relief

Finding vertigo relief through conventional or allopathic means can be a frustrating journey, mostly because vertigo isn’t a condition but a symptom. Thankfully, medical breakthroughs reveal a lot of interesting findings, such as the fact that vertigo episodes often stem from an inner ear problem. 

As you may remember from your basic anatomy classes, the ears do not only perceive sounds. Instead, it also plays a crucial role in detecting motion and orientation changes in your body. Let’s help you jog your memory on inner ear anatomy and physiology and understand the inner ear’s relationship with your spinning sensations.

 

How the Inner Ears Work

The inner ear chamber houses the different organs that take charge of perceiving your body’s motion and maintaining equilibrium orientation. These organs work hand in hand with the eyes and the motor and pressure sensors found on the skin and muscles to provide accurate information to your brain. 

Here’s a closer look at the inner organs that perform vestibular functions:   

Semicircular canals

This network of tubes contains the endolymph, the fluid that activates the hair cells inside the inner ears. It detects rotational movement. 

Utricle

Detection of gravity plays a crucial role in helping your brain figure out your head and body’s orientation relative to the environment. 

Otoconia

These tiny calcium crystals attach to the nerve endings of the utricle. They help the inner ears to detect head movement changes because they respond to linear activity and gravity. 

Vestibulocochlear nerve

The brain communicates with the different inner ear organs through the vestibulocochlear nerve. 

Naturally, when something’s off with these different inner ear components, they fail to send correct signals to your brain. Consequently, this increases your risk for chronic and recurrent vertigo attacks. For example, if you have abnormal fluid buildup inside your ears because of Meniere’s or an inner ear infection, you risk putting pressure on the vestibulocochlear nerve. 

On the one hand, if parts of your otoconia break off from the main structure, they can impede your inner ears' ability to detect gravitational changes. The crystals can also end up inside the semicircular canals and amplify signals sent to the brain when you move your head, triggering another vertigo-causing condition – BPPV.

vertigo relief

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in Your Spine Can Also Affect Your Inner Ears

Case studies reveal that most people who develop inner ear problems actually have problems with their spinal column. As it turns out, a slight change in the spine can trigger several issues that eventually lead to vestibular system impairment. Here’s a closer look:

Signal interferences in the spinal column and CNS 

The spinal cord is your brain’s primary connection to the rest of your body. So naturally, if you have any form of disturbance in the brain and body’s communication pathway, you will likely receive faulty or confusing signals. This could result in problems ranging from slow tissue healing to spinning sensations. 

Impaired oxygen and nutrient flow to your head

Lack of nutrient flow to your head could impair your inner ear’s function. This could result in brainstem ischemia or brainstem stroke, a health issue that can interfere with inner ear functions. 

Poor fluid drainage 

Misalignments in your C1 and C2 bones can impact your head’s ability to drain fluids like blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Unfortunately, this increases your susceptibility to conditions like Meniere’s. The additional and unwanted fluid in your inner ears puts pressure on your vestibular system, causing miscommunication between the organs and your brain.

  

Achieve Vertigo Relief By Correcting Spinal Problems

It’s a good idea to look into your spinal alignment if you have inner ear problems and vertigo attacks. After all, these conditions could be an indication of a misaligned spine. 

An upper cervical chiropractic doctor can help you check for spinal structure abnormalities and determine if you need to receive adjustments. If you have never been to an upper cervical chiropractic practice, here’s what you should expect on your first visit: 

  • Careful assessment of your condition and medical history
  • Physical examination of your neck for problems like stiff muscles and visible signs of misalignment
  • Leg length test to check for gait problems
  • Neck imaging scans to check if you have misaligned C1 and C2 bones  

Through an accurate assessment, an upper cervical chiropractic doctor can quickly determine the root cause of your vertigo. Your initial appointment will also help you receive a specific care plan to retrain your spine and realign your C1 and C2 neck bones, leading to vertigo relief.

Many patients who struggled with vertigo attacks found hope and healing because of upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. So, if you haven’t explored this option yet, we strongly recommend booking a schedule. The sooner you can have your neck bones checked, the quicker you can take the first steps to resolve postural problems. 

Consequently, you will gradually eliminate the problems mentioned above once you address your postural imbalance. Below are some examples of the direct benefits of upper cervical care for patients with severe vertigo: 

  • Lesser ear congestion because of the improved fluid drainage.
  • Fewer and less severe vertigo attacks because of improved signal transmission to the brain
  • Improved brainstem and spinal cord health 
  • Smooth flow of nutrients needed to sustain your inner ear organs 

Slowly but surely, upper cervical care can help you take back control of your life. You can also free yourself from the burden of experiencing crippling spinning sensations. Start enjoying massive vertigo relief with the help of an upper cervical doctor. Locate the nearest upper cervical chiropractor today!

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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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.

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