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.