In our years of vocation as Charlevoix based vertigo chiropractors, we have observed that few people understand vertigo. Many people still mistakenly use the term dizziness to describe vertigo.
Vertigo is the false feeling of movement or spinning, and it can present in different ways. The most common form is the feeling like your world is spinning. However, vertigo can also be a swaying or tilting sensation. A great example is when you first get back to land after spending time on a boat. The feeling like you are still rocking or swaying back and forth after being on the water is a form of vertigo.
Is There a Way to Get Control of Vertigo?
Doctors often have difficulty determining the underlying cause of vertigo. As a result, many patients settle for just learning to live with vertigo. Others believe it is another sign of aging since vertigo is more common in older people. However, that is not true. Causes of vertigo such as balance issues just become more common the older you get, but vertigo is not a necessary part of aging.
Vertigo treatment options are limited. For this reason, many patients think there is little or no hope if they are suffering with recurring or severe cases of vertigo, which is a false conception. In fact, three comprehensive case studies showed that long-term relief of vertigo is possible through what you may think of as an unlikely source – upper cervical chiropractic care.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care?
Upper cervical chiropractic is a niche within the chiropractic profession that concentrates on the top two bones in the upper cervical spine, the atlas and axis vertebrae (C1 and C2). These bones protect the brainstem, specifically the area where it meets the spinal cord. They also enable the blood flow to the brain. Certainly, this is a vital region of the spine as it affects the overall health of the body.
Upper cervical chiropractors such as our doctors here at Ricks McClure Chiropractic in Charlevoix, Michigan, use diagnostic imaging methods to locate misalignments down to hundredths of a degree. What makes it different from traditional chiropractic care is that the adjustments are very gentle, without the involvement of rough popping or cracking of the bones. Upper cervical doctors use low pressure with their hands or an adjustment instrument. What makes upper cervical chiropractic care a fantastic option for vertigo patients?
Vertigo Studies Show Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic
We want to share the results of three studies that collectively involved about 500 patients. Each study observed patients who had vertigo and also had upper cervical misalignments that were unknown until the study treated them.
Study #1 – 139 Patients with Meniere’s Disease
The first study involved 139 patients who had a vestibular disorder known as Meniere’s disease. They experienced symptoms such as pressure in the affected ear, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Every patient suffered from severe vertigo. Before the period of upper cervical chiropractic care, most of them went through nausea and vomiting during spinning attacks. After the care, 136 patients saw big improvements in their vertigo, both in severity and frequency aspects. Their overall health also improved. The other 3 patients who did not receive the maximum benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care stopped participating in the study just six weeks in.
Study #2 – 300 Patients Suffering from Meniere’s
This is an expansion of study #1. This time, the researcher followed 300 patients with Meniere’s and upper cervical misalignments. The results were the clear. At the beginning of the study, the average severity of vertigo for the participants was 8.5 out of 10. After a six-week period of care, the average vertigo severity was described at 3 out of 10.
The study ran for over six years in which 291 of all patients had vertigo reduced to severity an average of 0.8 out of 10. The researcher noted that the vertigo symptoms were due to upper cervical misalignments that affected the function of the eustachian tubes. These tubes facilitate the drainage of fluid from the ear. Malfunction of the eustachian tubes resulted in excess fluid in the ear, leading to symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
Study #3 – 60 Patients with Vertigo
In this study, 60 patients who had a history of neck trauma suffered from vertigo. They had upper cervical misalignments due to various reasons such as car accidents and slip and fall injuries. After they received upper cervical chiropractic care, 48 of the patients reported elimination of their vertigo. The other 12 patients saw a noteworthy reduction in their symptoms.
Natural Vertigo Relief Is Possible
The C1 and C2 vertebrae make possible most of the movements of the head. However, this makes these bones prone to misalignment. Even fractions of a millimeter can have an impact on the function of the ears and the central nervous system.
The gentle correction of upper cervical misalignments can result in positive and dramatic improvements for patients. Therefore, it is a great choice for vertigo patients to see an upper cervical chiropractor for an assessment. Even if you have not experienced head or neck trauma, x-ray and diagnostic imaging can identify if subluxation exists. Then, customized adjustments will be given to correct the misalignment.
If you live with chronic vertigo, especially if you have a history of neck or head injury, contact us to schedule a consultation. You could be few gentle adjustments away from long-lasting vertigo relief!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. McClure, call our Charlevoix office at 231-227-4493. 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.
