Vertigo: Some Uncommon Causes of a Common Health Problem

November 14, 2021

Can a chiropractor help with vertigo

Can a chiropractor help with vertigo?

Most people asking this question suffer from prevalent causes of vertigo like Meniere’s disease or BPPV. However, a small fraction traces the root cause of the problem from a relatively unknown or misunderstood condition. If you belong to this small group of people and you want to shed light on the reason behind your uncomfortable symptoms, you can check out our list of uncommon causes of vertigo below. 

#1. Benign Recurrent Vertigo (BRV)

BRV or benign recurrent vertigo is a poorly misunderstood vestibular problem that causes spinning sensations, photophobia, sensory sensitivity, and tinnitus. Some studies claim that it’s a form of vertiginous migraine aura. However, others believe that it results from labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. 

#2. Mal Disembarkment Syndrome

There aren’t a lot of patients who ask, “can a chiropractor help with vertigo?” because of Mal Disembarkment Syndrome. But, many doctors and ENT specialists agree that it’s a highly debilitating syndrome that can severely impact a person’s life. Unlike in most vertigo-causing disorders, the spinning or shaking sensation follows a period of rest after disembarking from a ship or plane. 

Most patients diagnosed with these conditions use medications that slow down brain and nerve activities. They also try doing displacement exercises such as bicycling, walking, and jogging to cope with their symptoms.

#3. Bilateral vestibulopathy

Bilateral vestibulopathy is a condition that develops because of malfunctions in your body’s balance organs like the inner ears. Unfortunately, researchers remain clueless as to why it happens. 

However, some studies note that gentamicin may be a side effect, an antibiotic commonly used for inner ear infections. It also appears to develop among patients who previously had an acoustic neuroma, Mondini malformation, and Meniere's disease. It causes posture and balance problems, unsteadiness of the gait, dizziness, and spinning sensations that worsen during locomotion.

#4. Acute Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

Acute Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction is among the most severe causes of vestibular problems. It primarily develops when your balance system and peripheral vestibular system are out of whack. As the name suggests, it only affects one of the vestibular systems, so recovery and healing are quite possible if you get diagnosed with this disorder.

Studies explain that it primarily develops because of weakened inner ear structures, blood clots, and tumor growth in the ears. It causes many debilitating symptoms, including:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vertigo and dizziness
  • Loss of balance, especially when turning the head
  • Trouble walking straight, especially in dark or crowded areas
  • Blurry vision that worsens when moving or tilting the head

Can a chiropractor help with vertigo

#5. Oscillopsia

Oscillopsia mainly affects the eyes, so sometimes people assume it doesn't connect with the vestibular or balance system. However, in truth, balance perception essentially involves the sense of sight because it helps the brain gauge the body's position in relation to the environment. 

Unfortunately, patients diagnosed with oscillopsia have trouble sensing movements or balance changes because objects often appear to jiggle, jump or vibrate. This increases one's vulnerability to a debilitating vertigo attack.

#6. Transient Vestibular Dysfunction

Transient vestibular dysfunction often triggers the rapid onset of vertigo attacks. It also causes gait unsteadiness, vomiting, nausea, and nystagmus that lingers for several days. Doctors and ENT professionals mostly use the HINTS  (head impulse, nystagmus patterns, test of skews) and MRI scans to diagnose a suspected case of acute transient vestibular syndrome.

  

What to Do When You Have a Vertigo-causing Disorder

Vertigo isn’t a symptom that requires an ER visit. However, it can increase your risk of getting injured, mainly when the attacks occur while you’re walking, working, or doing other physical activities. If you often have episodes, here are some remedies you can use:

  • Stress management – When your body enters survival mode because of the increased levels of adrenaline and other stress hormones, you become susceptible to all kinds of problems, including vertigo attacks. That’s why it pays to know a few stress management techniques to help you keep your cool. 
  • Canalith repositioning maneuvers – Many patients with vertigo symptoms experience relief after trying canalith repositioning maneuvers such as the Epley Maneuver. Essentially, these exercises help restore dislodged canalith or calcium crystals. 
  • Upper cervical care – Case studies establish a strong connection between neck alignment and the onset of vertigo attacks. As a result, many individuals with recurring vertigo episodes try to manage their symptoms with upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. 

Can A Chiropractor Help With Vertigo Causing Conditions?

Dealing with recurring vertigo episodes can be quite a grueling experience, especially if you have a ton of responsibilities on your plate. It can also be worrying when the leading cause of your symptom isn’t something that you usually hear or read from your go-to medical references. 

Thankfully, you can still experience relief with the help of upper cervical care. This unique and neck-focused chiropractic technique has helped thousands of patients who suffer from extreme and persistent vertigo attacks. It’s proven effective in providing lasting results, plus it enables you to keep your body in good condition.  

The adjustments are precise and gentle, allowing your body to recover gradually from the impacts of cervical subluxation. An upper cervical doctor also customizes the approach according to the neck bone misalignment and overall physical condition. 

 So, can a chiropractor help with vertigo? Find out the answer yourself by scheduling your first consultation with an upper cervical chiropractic practitioner near you.

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

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