Is There A Connection Between The Inner Ear and Dizziness?

If you've ever experienced bouts of dizziness and vertigo, it is likely an experience you will never forget. 

For one thing, dizziness and vertigo are extremely uncomfortable conditions. They make you feel as though your head or your whole body is spinning uncontrollably. With vertigo, you may feel like the world is spinning around you at top speed and that the ground is unsteady. 

For another thing, it is scary when you get unexpectedly dizzy or experience vertigo. Your anxiety increases as you wonder what is happening, what's wrong with you, and when it's going to stop. 

As disturbing as bouts of dizziness and vertigo can be, try not to panic. Just sit down, hold on, and ride it out. While it feels like the problem is in your brain, most likely what you're experiencing is an inner ear problem, and chiropractic care can help. 

How the Inner Ear Causes Dizziness and Vertigo

The vestibular system is the body's system for helping you understand your body's position in relation to the environment. This allows you to spatially orient yourself so you can keep your balance and coordination. 

The key parts of this system are located in the inner ear. The inner ear is complex, with many small parts, narrow tubes, and vessels. If the inner ear passages become blocked or inflamed, it may prevent air flow, cause calcium deposits, or fluids may build up. If fluids build it, it makes the environment ripe for viruses or bacteria to take hold and cause an infection. 

Any infection or blockage in the inner ear can impair the vestibular system and result in a loss of balance and coordination. This can lead to dizziness, spinning, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or difficulty focusing the eyes. This feeling can last anywhere from a few seconds to several days and is debilitating for its duration.  

The Upper Cervical Spine's Role in Dizziness and Vertigo

The upper cervical spine is made up of the seven uppermost vertebrae, which begin at the base of the skull and run down the neck. This part of the spine is prone to injury from poor posture, jolts to the head and neck, injuries, and accidents. Misalignments tend to cause inflammation and swelling. 

The vertebrae of the upper cervical spine are in close proximity to the tiny tubes and vessels that run to the inner ear. Any swelling and inflammation may cause the vessels and tubes to be compressed, resulting in blockages or fluid retention. Many people with chronic ear infections, ear aches, dizziness, and vertigo spells don't even realize that the root of their problem is likely a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. 

How We Treat Dizziness and Vertigo

At the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Gordon Elder treats dizziness and vertigo by addressing the root cause. Dr. Elder is a specialist in the upper cervical spine and an expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. 

The Blair technique is a modern form of chiropractic care that incorporates cutting-edge technology for more precise assessments. This allows the doctor to make more exact corrections using gentle manipulations to coax the spine back into a healthy state of alignment. 

Dr. Elder's three-step plan for treating dizziness and vertigo is simple and straightforward. The first step of the process is the assessment, which includes a thorough consultation and 3D diagnostic imaging scans so the doctor can get a thorough understanding of your unique anatomy. 

Step two is the healing process, during which Dr. Elder makes swift, low-force adjustments to correct the problem. Once the spine is properly aligned, it reduces swelling and inflammation, allowing the body's natural healing processes to take over. 

The third step is preventative. Dr. Elder recommends adding chiropractic care to your regular healthcare routine to stop problems from developing again. Upper cervical care is a non-invasive, drug-free, natural treatment that can help you maintain general health and wellness. 

Contact Dr. Elder if you're having problems with dizziness and vertigo. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Treat Dizziness

What is Dizziness?

Dizziness is a horrible sensation that affects balance. Most people will experience dizziness at one time or another in their lives, such as when they are intoxicated, taking certain medications, or are on a ride that spins. In some cases, a bout of dizziness from an underlying health problem can occur. These bouts can range in frequency, duration, and intensity depending on the severity of the problem.

Health problems that may contribute to dizziness include fatigue, sleeplessness, migraines, autoimmune disorders, epilepsy, heart disease, or musculoskeletal conditions. 

Signs and Symptoms of Dizziness

Dizziness is characterized by a feeling of being lightheaded, unstable, or like you can't get your balance. In more severe cases, it may feel like the world is spinning. Sometimes it may be a brief "head rush," while other times the dizzy feeling may last for a while. Too much dizziness can make you feel nauseous, which may cause sweating and vomiting. 

If you are experiencing unexplained dizziness, you should contact your doctor for a check-up as it can be a symptom of some serious health conditions.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Dizziness

The top seven vertebrae that go from the base of the skull and down the neck make up the upper cervical spine. This part of the spine sits close to the nerve pathways and eustachian tubes that run to the inner ear. Inner ear disturbances play a major factor in causing dizziness or balance disorders.

The neck is a vulnerable place; a jolt to the head, bad posture, or odd sleeping positions can cause the vertebrae to become misaligned. This misalignment may cause inflammation, swelling, or compressions that affect the nerves and eustachian tubes. 

How Our Dizziness Treatment Works

Dr. Gordon Elder is an upper cervical chiropractic specialist who applies the Blair Chiropractic Technique to help with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, or balance disorders. 

The Blair technique is a modern chiropractic technique that combines state-of-the-art technology with gentle manual corrections. Dr. Elder begins your treatment with a 25-30 minute consultation that involves an interview, history, and advanced 3D diagnostic imaging so he can get a clear vision of the problem.

Thanks to technology, the doctor can then apply more precise, gentle corrections to bring the vertebrae back into proper alignment. Once this is done, the body's natural healing process can spring into action and help alleviate symptoms like dizziness. 

For the next few months, brief periodic visits will allow the doctor to ensure that the alignment remains in place. After that, Dr. Elder recommends regular checkups to help prevent future problems. 

Don't let dizziness cause you discomfort or get in your way of doing things you enjoy. Call Dr. Elder for an appointment if you are in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Meniere’s Disease: Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help This Condition?

What Is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear, causing intense bouts of vertigo, dizziness, and tinnitus or high-pitched ringing. Particularly common amongst young to middle-aged adults, there is no known cause of Meniere’s disease, making it very difficult to treat. While there is no cure for this condition, there are ways to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Signs and Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease

The primary side effect of Meniere’s disease is frequent episodes of vertigo, causing feelings of dizziness, loss of balance, and loss of coordination. Other signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), a feeling of fullness in the ears, and frequent bouts of nausea. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Meniere’s Disease

The cause of Meniere’s disease is believed to be related to dysfunction in the inner ear. Specifically, the disease is thought to be triggered by changes in fluid build-up in the eustachian tubes (small canals connecting the ear to the nasal-sinus cavity). This relationship has led some researchers to link the onset of Meniere’s disease to injury or misalignment in the upper cervical spine. 

Because of their role in supporting the base of the skull, the vertebrae which make up the upper cervical spine play a key role in regulating the function of craniofacial arteries and musculature. Unsurprisingly, misalignment in one or more of these vertebrae can have a dramatic effect on craniofacial function, causing local inflammation, soft tissue adhesion, and swelling in the eustachian tubes. Left untreated, inflammation and swelling in the eustachian tubes can quickly lead to an abnormal build-up of fluid in the inner ear, potentially leading to conditions like Meniere’s disease.

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works 

Our chiropractic specialist, Dr. Gordon Elder, is a trained practitioner of the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This technique prioritizes the gentle correction of misalignments in the upper cervical in order to restore natural function to the spinal column and allow the body to re-engage its natural healing mechanisms. 

During your initial appointment, Dr. Elder will perform a brief examination of your spine to determine whether you are suffering from Meniere’s disease due to a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine. This whole process only takes between 25 and 30 minutes. 

At your next visit, Dr. Elder will use advanced 3-D imaging techniques to pinpoint the exact location of any spinal misalignments. At this point, you’ll also have an opportunity to review your scans and have a chat with Dr. Elder if you have any questions. 

Finally, Dr. Elder will target the affected area with a series of precise adjustments, re-seating the misaligned vertebra in its correct position. These adjustments are precise and gentle, so you don’t have to worry about any painful cracking or popping. 

Following the initial adjustment, patients will return for regular, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure their adjustment has stayed in place for 3 months. Over the course of 3-5 months, most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.  

If you’re struggling to live with Meniere’s disease, come and speak with Dr. Elder about healing your body. Dr Elder is based in Lubbock, Texas, but also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Vertigo: An Alternative Treatment Method for This Condition

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness and instability that occurs without movement. While it’s normal to experience occasional bouts of dizziness, people suffering from vertigo typically report more severe and/or more frequent episodes, often leading to coordination issues, disorientation, and difficulty completing everyday tasks.

Signs and Symptoms of Vertigo

The primary symptom associated with vertigo is a feeling of dizziness or a sense that your surroundings are spinning when you’re stationary. Other frequently cited symptoms of vertigo include tinnitus, headaches, and nausea. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Vertigo

The most common cause of vertigo is dysfunction in the inner ear. In addition to its role in processing auditory signals, the inner ear is also responsible for maintaining the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining the body's balance and spatial orientation. 

A number of factors can lead to dysfunction in the inner ear. Vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine is one such factor. When one or more vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are out of alignment, the ensuing inflammation can cause soft tissue swelling and inflammation throughout the inner ear. Over time, this can lead to fluid build-up in the inner ear and eustachian tubes, disrupting nerve flow from the vestibular system and eventually triggering the onset of vertigo.

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment for Vertigo Works

Our in-house chiropractor, Dr. Gordon Elder, is an expert practitioner of the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This method of chiropractic care leverages diagnostic imaging to gently re-align the upper cervical spine, restoring natural function to the spinal column and re-activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. 

When treating vertigo, Dr. Elder employs a two-step approach to identifying and healing the condition. First, patients undergo a screening process that will determine whether a spinal misalignment may be causing their vertigo. Initial screening appointments generally last around 25–30-minutes. 

If a misalignment is detected, your initial consultation will be followed by another appointment whereupon Dr. Elder will use advanced 3-D imaging tools to pinpoint the exact angle and location of your vertebral misalignment. Afterwards, you’ll receive a full report on the results of your consultation, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask Dr. Elder any questions about your treatment options. 

To correct your misalignment, Dr. Elder will use a series of gentle, precise adjustment techniques to restore the misaligned vertebrae to their natural position, thereby reducing surrounding inflammation and encouraging normal nerve flow.

Following the initial adjustment, patients will return for regular, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure their adjustment has stayed in place for 3 months. Over the course of 3-5 months, most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.  

If vertigo is preventing you from living a fulfilling life, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Elder about healing your upper cervical spine. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Blair Chiropractic Clinic also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.