Because the sensations of dizziness and vertigo can be hard to put into words, many people use the words "dizziness" and "vertigo" interchangeably. Additionally, people with the same underlying disorder might give very different descriptions of how they are feeling. Someone might report feeling light-headed, faint, unsteady, or off-balance.
Vertigo itself is not a diagnosis. It is a description of a sensation of spinning, whirling, or being pulled to one side. There are many possible explanations for spinning and a variety of conditions for which vertigo is one component. Vertigo is a subset of general dizziness and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, changes in hearing, and difficulty with balance.
To understand vertigo, we need to understand how the body maintains a sense of balance. The vestibular system is the main neurologic system involved. It includes:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
The job of the spine, particularly the vertebrae positioned at the very top of the neck, is to protect the spinal cord. The atlas vertebra sits just beneath the skull and provides a ring of protection around the brainstem. Even a subtle shift of the atlas might be enough to disturb the normal function of the vestibular system, your body's main balance system. This misalignment can lead to the onset of vertigo.
At Precision Spine Specialists, our focus is on the upper cervical spine as it relates to your central nervous system. We look for specific misalignments of the atlas vertebra and determine if it is an underlying factor in your condition. NUCCA is a gentle way to realign the atlas so that normal brain-body communication is restored. This may improve vestibular function and greatly reduce or eliminate spinning symptoms.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hall, call our Brentwood office at 615-488-7891 or just 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