Vertigo, or the sense that the world is spinning around you, is a serious issue, affecting many people and diminishing their quality of life. They are not able to walk, orient themselves in space, and complete simple tasks because all their visual points of reference are out of focus. If you are suffering from balance problems associated with vertigo, you know just how difficult it is to do simple things and how little enjoyment of life you have.
In the past, you may have tried various medications. But your problem may not be related to a cause that drugs can cure. Instead, you may benefit from a natural form of therapy, which does not involve using any substances on or inside your body: chiropractic.
What Are the Causes of Vertigo?
You may ask: how can a chiropractor help you with vertigo? First of all, we need to go to the root of the problem: why you suffer from vertigo. Vertigo is, in its essence, a problem with balance.
Achieving balance in a tri-dimensional space is a very complex issue, involving several organs, including three tiny elements in the inner ear. When you feel vertigo, this is not a condition in itself, but a symptom that something is wrong with one of the organs that should keep you in balance.
In essence, vertigo indicates that there is a problem with:
- Your inner ear
- Your spinal ligaments or joints
- The vertebrae in your neck.
In very rare and severe cases, vertigo may be the symptom of a stroke or a brain tumor.
What Is Chiropractic and How Effective Is It?
Chiropractic is a healthcare specialty that involves manipulation by hand of the spine and joints to relieve various symptoms. Since the spine is the “main highway” of the nervous system, communicating with all the parts of the boy, chiropractic treatment is recommended for restoring function and mobility to various areas, from neck and lower back to arms and legs.
The beneficial effects of chiropractic on vertigo were demonstrated in a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Its authors conducted chiropractic treatment on a group of patients suffering from vertigo. The conclusions of the study indicate that “most patients demonstrated improved balance, and some showed reduced dizziness and neck pain after 8 weeks of chiropractic care”.
How Can a Chiropractor Help You with Vertigo?
A chiropractor can use one or both of the following positioning maneuvers to improve your balance and reduce vertigo symptoms:
Manipulation – by manipulating joints in your upper neck, the chiropractor will restore your balance by correctly aligning all the vertebrae and muscles.
The Epley Maneuver – by manipulating your head in various positions, the chiropractor will help reposition the crystals in your “balance center” – the vestibulocochlear apparatus of your inner ear. These manipulations will also help clear away debris accumulating in this delicate area.
Last but not least, a chiropractor can teach you a series of exercises that you can safely perform at home in order to improve your balance and fight the sensation of dizziness. In time, you will be able to walk, run and go up and down the stairs with confidence. Nothing will hold you back from enjoying your life, so don’t wait up: find a chiropractor near you and say good-bye to vertigo!