Part of my job as a chiropractor for vertigo based in Odessa is to educate my patients and anyone about the condition. Not everyone is familiar with vertigo. Vertigo is the feeling that you or the room around you is moving or spinning. It’s different from dizziness as it has an illusion of movement and a rotational factor. It can be two perceptions of movemoent:

  • Subjective vertigo — If you feel that you are spinning.
  • Objective vertigo — If it seems that the environment around you is spinning.

 

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo falls into these two categories: 

  • Peripheral vertigo — due to a problem of the inner ear
  • Central vertigo — related to an issue of the brain or central nervous system

 

Conditions Related to Vertigo

Vertigo is not a condition, but a symptom of a disorder. Some of the common conditions that involve vertigo as a symptom are the following: 

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

It is the most prevalent type of vertigo, and we can describe it as a sensation of movement that lasts for about 15 seconds to a few minutes. It comes on out of the blue after moving the head to certain positions, such as turning the head too quickly or rolling over in bed. 

Meniere’s disease

This has three famous symptoms — tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss, and vertigo. The onset of vertigo in Meniere’s happens very suddenly. Those with Meniere’s may have symptom-free periods, and then vertigo may strike again. 

Labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis

Inflammation of the inner ear is to blame for this. Most of the time, it is due to a viral or bacterial infection. As a result, sudden bouts of vertigo occur. It may persist as long as it takes for the inflammation to go away, often for several days. This form of vertigo may also involve hearing loss.

 

Things to Know About Vertigo and Your Sense of Balance

1. Your inner ear is responsible for your balance.

Besides allowing you to hear, your ears also keep your balance. The ears have the vestibular system, which relays signals to the brain to maintain your balance. If there is a problem in this complex structure, such as the buildup of excessive calcium crystals in the inner ear, you may feel the symptoms of vertigo. 

2. Vertigo can make you feel movement even though you are staying still.

There is a phenomenon referred to as vection that makes us feel as if we are moving. For example, you’re inside a car, and the vehicle beside you is slowly moving. You may also feel as if you yourself are moving. This is because your visual field has begun to move. Your brain is having a conflict between the inbound sensory messages from two different sources. 

3. Your muscles, joints, and even your skin aid your balance.

There are sensory receptors in your muscles, ligaments, joints, and skin. Without them, your body cannot send the correct signals to the brain, and you will lose your balance. Some sensors, such as those on your back or at the bottom of your feet, are sensitive to pressure sensations and stretching. The sensors in the neck send messages to the brain about the position of the head. Ankle receptors tell the brain the body’s movements with the ground. 

4. Your ears contribute to balance, NOT your big toe.

A common misconception exists that the big toe plays a role in your balance, but that is false. You can still walk or run without a big toe, although you may be a little slower and have a shorter pace. Yes, it may change your way of walking, but it has little effect on your balance even when you lose your big toe. 

5. Age is a factor in balance problems.

As we age, we are more prone to deficiencies in three of our core systems: vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system. When you combine these with the decline in muscle strength and flexibility we experience, it explains why older adults fall more often than the younger adults. According to reports, about one-third of Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. 

6. Migraines and balance problems have some connection.

About 40 percent of people with migraines experience dizziness or vertigo. They may have it during a migraine attack, or it may strike at a different time. This is also known as migraine-associated vertigo. It remains unknown why it occurs, but it is said to have something to do with how a migraine affects the signals from the brain. It may slow down the brain’s ability to read sensory messages from the inner ear, muscles, and the eyes.

 

A Natural and Long-lasting Solution to Vertigo

Why do you experience vertigo? If you are asking the reason for your vertigo, one very likely cause is a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine. If the C1 and C2 vertebrae are not in correct alignment, they could be placing undue pressure on the brainstem. This can cause it to send incorrect signals to the brain about the body’s position in its environment. Once we correct the vertebral misalignment, you may start to see a significant improvement in your vertigo symptoms. 

Here at Odessa Chiropractic Center in Odessa, Missouri, we focus on making sure the C1 and C2 are in proper alignment. As a chiropractor for vertigo based in Odessa, I only use a gentle method to encourage natural realignment of the bones, without popping or cracking the neck. This allows for recovery to take place and smooth communication to return between the body and brain. Call (816) 633-5355 or contact us to get long-term relief from vertigo and other balance problems. 

 

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kesemann, call our Odessa office at 816-608-5786. You can also click the button below.


If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.