Characterized by extreme dizziness, lightheadedness, a feeling of unsteadiness or even nausea, vertigo brings on the feeling of motion where there isn’t any. Affecting somewhere between 20-30% of the population, it is one of the most common medical complaints that doctors hear from patients today.
Often vertigo is caused by infection or fluid buildup in the inner ear. However, the inner ears are certainly not the only cause of vertigo, but one of many possible causes. Just as the inner ear sends balance and position information to the brain, other sources of balance information come from the neck muscles and joints. Because the brain relies on both the inner ear to supply motion and position sense about the head and the neck supplies information about the relation between the head and the body, problems in either area can cause vertigo.
Dr. Janet Travell, author of “The Trigger Point Manual” and President JFK’s physician during his presidency, points to the uppermost joints of the spine and the neck muscle known as sternocleidomastoid (SCM) as the most likely culprits that induce vertigo. “Trigger points in the SCM muscle have been shown to produce all kinds of symptoms, including tearing of the eye, headache, sinus congestion, ear and jaw pain, pain with swallowing and vertigo. The joints of the neck also have strong effects on the whole head region, with similar effects.”
While these problems can often be overlooked, a trained doctor or therapist can identify the location that is causing a patient’s vertigo. Not only has chiropractic neurology been shown to be extremely effective in the treatment of vertigo, but Chiropractic Neurologists are experts at determining the root cause of conditions such as vertigo through non-invasive techniques. In fact, one study by the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research showed that of the 60 subjects who participated in the study, ALL of them responded positively to chiropractic care from improvement to complete reversal of the condition. Chiropractic treatments are fast-acting too… nearly 80% of cases becoming symptom free within 3-4 treatments.
In addition, Chiropractic Neurologists are experts in trigger point therapies. Suitable for nearly every type of patient, trigger point therapies can not only help identify and alleviate some types of vertigo but are also effective in treating a wide array of conditions including migraines, chronic pain, sciatica and more. And unlike treatments plans that depend on drugs that may leave patients feeling extremely fatigued and unable to perform normal daily tasks, Chiropractic meets the growing demand for drug-free care. This approach brings many patients fast and marked improvement, eliminating the needs for lengthy, drawn-out treatment programs.
If you or someone you know is suffering from vertigo, headaches or symptoms that have not been diagnosed and would like to learn more about how Chiropractic Neurology can help, please the team at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today to schedule your consultation.