Vertigo is a common complaint among people, that’s why more and more people seek upper cervical chiropractic in Brentwood, TN, and all around the United States. Vertigo as a symptom is frequent in adults over 40 years old.
In this blog, we are putting a spotlight on a condition that causes severe and recurrent bouts of vertigo — PPPD, or persistent postural perceptual dizziness. I’ll be sharing five important facts about this condition and how our upper cervical chiropractic clinic in Brentwood, TN, can help patients who suffer from it.
The name itself explaines what this condition is about. Persistent postural perceptual dizziness brings on chronic, recurring spinning that patients may experience for 15 days or more in a month. Episodic vertigo only lasts for a few minutes up to 24 hours and may not return for quite a while. People with PPPD have more days than vertigo-free days.
PPPD does not just come out of the blue. A person may have vertigo for many years before the onset of PPPD. Its development is commonly due to a direct cause. There are several possible causes, and here are the most common:
If a person develops Meniere’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or multiple sclerosis, he or she may have PPPD. A stroke can also result in persistent vertigo.
As many as 40% of patients with migraines display vestibular symptoms and vertigo is one of those.
Vestibular migraine is the medical term for it. When these migraines are present for 15 days or more per month, the patient may be suffering from PPPD.
Getting into an accident or having a head or neck injury that led to whiplash or a concussion can bring on chronic vertigo. If your spinning involves headaches and certain other symptoms, it can be an indication of post-concussion syndrome.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Why isn’t PPPD common if it can develop following an injury or accident? Here’s the answer. It does not occur after every whiplash injury or concussion as it may be related to mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, at least that’s what researchers are considering.
Here are some results they discovered in one study:
Doctors look for many things when diagnosing a patient with suspected PPPD. They must rule out other health issues that may bring on similar symptoms before they come up with a definitive diagnosis. First, they examine the frequency of vertigo attacks. A patient must have more days than non-vertigo days. It may take three months or more to diagnose a person with vertigo as a persistent disorder. The severity may also vary depending on the underlying condition and even on the trigger of a specific episode. In the case of PPPD, common triggers are certain head positions and movements.
It makes sense to examine the function of the central nervous system when you have PPPD. A natural form of care that can help with this is upper cervical chiropractic. It is a specific division in the chiropractic profession that takes care of the C1 and C2 (atlas and axis), the two uppermost vertebrae of the spine. They sit under base of the skull.
Upper cervical chiropractors take precise measurements of misalignments of these vertebrae using x-rays and diagnostic imaging. In this way, they can know the exact angle of correction needed and make gentle adjustments of the bones. The frequency of adjustment varies from case to case. Misalignments are measured and corrected down to the smallest degree.
Many cases of vertigo have been resolved through upper cervical chiropractic. Following a whiplash injury or concussion, misalignment of the C1 and C2 vertebrae may happen. This can lead to dysfunction of the brainstem. If this happens, the brainstem, specifically right where it meets the spinal cord, receives too much pressure from the vertebrae. As a result, a person may experience migraines, vertigo, and other symptoms.
In addition, these bones play a role in the smooth flow of blood to the brain through the vertebral foramen, the small loops of bone where the vertebral arteries pass. Another thing a misalignment can have an impact on is the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. In other words, the central nervous system can feel the pressure too.
Fortunately, upper cervical chiropractic helps to realign the bones naturally. Correcting a misalignment can bring relief from and improvement in vertigo symptoms. Once the frequency of vertigo decreases, resolution of PPPD would likely happen next, even if vertigo attacks occur on some occasions.
Visit our website and schedule a consultation with me at Precision Spine Specialists to understand vertigo more and its connection to misalignments of the upper cervical spine. If you live with PPPD, or any condition that brings vertigo, this could be the solution for you. You may be a few adjustments away from recovery.
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
Vertigo causes a spinning sensation. For those who have vertigo, the experience can be unbearable as it would make you feel as if you are spinning or things around you are. Vertigo is not a condition but a symptom of an underlying illness. It is often caused by a problem in the inner ear. These are some of the common reasons for vertigo:
Vertigo can also be brought about by other things, including the following:
The wide range of sensations that come about during a bout of vertigo may include the following:
Other vertigo symptoms include those listed below:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
If you prefer not to take medications, some natural home remedies can help you improve your vertigo and manage the symptoms. Try some of these safe, practical ideas.
The home remedies mentioned above can be best maximized when done and accompanied by another natural and effective treatment option for vertigo – upper cervical chiropractic care. This unconventional solution addresses the very root cause of vertigo.
Doctors have long seen the connection between vertigo and a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine, the C1 and C2 vertebrae to be precise. If these bones have moved out of alignment, the brainstem can be put under pressure, distorting the signals sent to the brain. The brainstem can tell the brain that the body is in motion even when you are not moving, resulting in vertigo.
We here at Precision Spine Specialists, a team of vertigo chiropractors in Brentwood, TN, use a gentle technique that encourages the bones of the neck to return to place easily. We do not practice popping or cracking the back or neck to see improvements in our patients’ vertigo. Often, after one or two adjustments, most of our patients experience a reduction or remission of their vertigo.
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
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause the most severe vertigo episodes of any known condition. Vertigo attacks are often sudden and at times they are so severe that they are referred to as "drop attacks" because they can cause the person fall to the ground from a complete loss of balance.
Meniere's disease is usually the result of an abnormal amount of fluid that builds up pressure in the compartments of the inner ear called the labyrinth. Within the labyrinth of the inner ear, there are parts that control your body's ability to keep a sense of balance and also your sense of hearing. Part of the labyrinth is filled with fluid called endolymph. When your body moves, the endolymph moves with it, prompting the receptors in the inner ear to send messages to the brain about your body’s position. For Meniere's disease sufferers, any extra endolymph leads to a distortion of normal signals that are on their way to the brain, which is why vertigo attacks happen along with other Meniere's disease symptoms.
There are four primary indicators and symptoms associated with Meniere's disease:
We know that the issues that are characteristic of Meniere’s disease are caused by excess fluid in the ears. However, we don’t know for certain why the fluid buildup happens in the first place. There are several ideas on the causes of Meniere's disease. Here are a few of the more commonly considered potential causes:
Following an episode of Meniere's disease, symptoms may noticeably improve and perhaps go away entirely. In fact, some Meniere's sufferers may go weeks or even years between episodes.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
If you are searching for options that will relieve your Meniere's disease symptoms, there are a number of things that you may find:
For intense cases of Meniere's disease, it may be recommended that you get injections of an antibiotic or steroid into the middle ear. Even surgery might be considered as a treatment option.
As you become more informed about the way that the spine can affect the balance system in the body, you will understand how the option of upper cervical chiropractic care is a promising treatment for Meniere’s disease sufferers. There is an important job that your spine has, right at the base of your skull at the very top of your neck. This is where the upper cervical vertebrae encase and protect the spinal cord. The role of the spinal cord is to act like a message board for communication happening between your brain and body. It is imperative that the vertebrae of your spinal column perform their job effectively by providing a tough layer of protection to prevent any disruptions to their normal ability to function.
The uppermost vertebra in your neck, called the atlas, is unique because it's the most freely movable bone in your entire spine. If you were to be involved in an accident or sustain an injury that caused it to misalign even a little, it could irritate the part of the spinal cord that it is meant to protect. The atlas is also located in close proximity to your inner ear. Any misalignment can have impacts on normal ear drainage and communication along the nerves that connect your inner ear and brain.
In recent studies, there has been evidence found that indicates an atlas misalignment as being a major contributor in the development of Meniere's disease. Researchers monitored 300 Meniere's disease patients over a 6-year time span for their outcomes after receiving a course of upper cervical chiropractic care. A whopping 97% of the patients showed significant improvement. These improvements looked like returning to work, having a normal social and family life, being able to drive again, and returning to living independently. For the remaining 3% of patients, they still experienced some symptoms, but their episodes were less severe and occurred less frequently. All 300 showed signs of an atlas misalignment upon examination, and most of them remembered getting some type of injury to their head or neck caused by an auto accident, sports injury or other trauma.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is not only effective but also very gentle and extremely precise. We use low-force adjustments when necessary to correct atlas alignment, which gives your body the ability to heal naturally and function optimally. This can lead to completely diminishing Meniere's disease symptoms altogether.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374916
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-disease
Burcon MT, Health outcomes following cervical specific protocol in 300 patients with Meniere's followed over six years. J Upper Cervical Chiropr Res 2016; Jun 2:13-23.
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
One of the most commonly known symptoms of vertigo is when a person experiences a spinning sensation while standing still. The experience can be described so differently by each individual it is difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed. For example, dizziness can be confused for a spinning experience. While dizziness is not necessarily a sign of spinning, some vertigo sufferers may very well have this symptom. Learning how to better identify and describe the symptoms can help distinguish between a dizzy spell and actual vertigo.
The term "dizzy" is applicable in many situations:
If you consult a doctor about any of these symptoms, it is important that you understand the difference and are extremely clear about your symptoms. Your input will have a direct role in how you are treated and in your full analysis. About half of the patients who complain about dizziness actually have vertigo.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
So far, there have not been many successful long-term results from the different vertigo treatments. Some of these care options include diuretics, prescription drugs, various therapies and low-sodium diets. But there is one method of treatment that has seen much success, and it will be discussed later in the this article.
In order to pinpoint a lasting solution, it is important to understand how your body works. How is balance achieved in the body? How do body systems work together for balance? Here is an introduction to the working parts:
These systems work together as a communication network to the brain, and the brain responds with information to help maintain balance. When any of these systems is interrupted or cannot work properly, feelings such as dizziness or vertigo are a likely to follow.
To prevent repetitive episodes of spinning, it is imperative that these systems are able to function at their maximum capacity without interruption. One way to ensure that your systems are functioning as efficiently as possible is to consult an upper cervical chiropractor. The specialized care of the upper spine has helped many sufferers. The two uppermost vertebrae of the spine, the atlas and the axis, can greatly affect the system of nerves that sends signals to the brain, thereby affecting your sense of balance. In fact, these two vertebrae actually protect the brainstem, the junction in which the three vital systems converge. Any time the alignment of the upper part of the spine occurs, it can cause interruptions in the sensory information being communicated. The axis and atlas are also in the direct vicinity of the eustachian tube in the inner ear, a source of many cases of vertigo.
Those suffering with vertigo often have some history of injury that has actually caused an imbalance in the atlas. The injuries vary in their origin from car accidents, sports impacts, or simply slipping and falling. Years may pass without any issues when suddenly vertigo symptoms begin, and the correlation is difficult to discern because of the time that has passed. An upper cervical chiropractor will take a thorough examination, discussing prior injuries to see what may be part of the cause. They use gentle and exact adjustments to restore proper spinal alignment. These carefully administered adjustments hold in place long enough for the muscles and tissue to heal and rebuild. Any time the spine is lined up well, communication improves between the nerves and the brain. This is how upper cervical chiropractic care can provide lasting relief from vertigo symptoms.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/telling-the-difference-between-vertigo-and-dizziness
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
Vertigo is described as a spinning sensation. You may feel as if you are moving or the environment around you may appear to be moving. To be true vertigo, there always has to be a rotational component to it. Children actually like to create the sensation of vertigo by spinning around and around until they feel dizzy. This is called self-induced vertigo and only lasts for a few seconds. As an adult, vertigo is not so much fun. It often comes on suddenly and unexpectedly and may last for many hours or days.
Sound waves travel through the outer ear canal to the eardrum. At this point, they are turned into vibrations and transmitted through the inner ear by three small bones -- the incus, the stapes, and the malleus. This passes on to the vestibular nerve and then to the brain. The semicircular canals have an important role in the inner ear as well. They are positioned at right angles to each other and are lined with sensitive cells. This provides instant feedback to the brain about the location and position of your body.
Vertigo is diagnosed as either central or peripheral depending on what the cause is. Central vertigo comes about due to a problem with the brain or spinal cord. Peripheral vertigo has to do with a problem of the inner ear. Here are some reasons vertigo may come about:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
In addition to these common causes of vertigo, there is a long list of other contributors to vertigo:
There are a few things you may be able to do at home to reduce the impact of vertigo.
There has been an interesting connection seen between vertigo and a misaligned vertebra in the upper cervical spine. The spinal column was created to provide the spinal cord with proper protection. The spinal cord and brainstem are responsible for carrying signals to and from the brain and body. This includes vital information about body position and balance. If the uppermost bone of the spine, the atlas or C1 vertebra, misaligns, it can lead to a number of problems in the body. For one thing, the signals going to the brain may become distorted. If the brainstem tells the brain the body is moving when it is not, vertigo can be the end result.
Here at Precision Spine Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, we focus on making sure your atlas is in proper alignment. Even a misalignment as small as ¼ of a millimeter can wreak havoc on the entire body. We use a method that is gentle and precise to realign the vertebrae. This technique does not require us to pop or crack the neck or spine to get positive results. It is a natural way to encourage the bones to move back into place, leading to a longer-lasting adjustment and a reduction in or elimination of the symptoms of vertigo.
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
Vertigo is the sensation of movement when there is no movement. In particular, it must have a rotational component to it to be diagnosed as such. Vertigo is a symptom, not an actual condition. There are two basic types of vertigo: central and peripheral. In this article, we are going to get a better understanding of what causes peripheral vertigo. Then, we will look at a way to find relief.
Peripheral vertigo is the most common form of vertigo and often has to do with a problem regarding the balance mechanisms of the inner ear. The most common reasons for peripheral vertigo are:
Labyrinthitis usually happens because of a cold, the flu, or another virus that has spread to the labyrinth. Rarely, it is caused by a bacterial infection.
Peripheral vertigo as a result of labyrinthitis may be accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus, fever, ear pain, and nausea and vomiting.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
The reason for this condition is usually a viral infection, and it may come on suddenly. You may experience unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. Hearing problems do not usually accompany vestibular Neuronitis. It can last for a few hours or days but may take as long as six weeks to completely go away.
You may experience sudden attacks of vertigo that last for hours or days and may include nausea and vomiting. The cause remains a mystery, but diet can often help control some of the symptoms. Surgery is rarely necessary.
Lightheadedness and loss of balance can remain for several minutes or hours after the attack. BPPV is thought to be due to small fragments of debris (crystals) that break off from the lining of the channels of your inner ear. When these crystals move to the fluid-filled canals of the ear, problems ensue. Head movement causes them to be swept along these canals, sending mixed signals to the brain and leading to vertigo.
BPPV usually is seen in people older than 50 years. It may happen for no apparent reason or occur after:
The best way to find the answer to this question is to see the proof. A case study involving 60 vertigo patients revealed something very interesting. All of them were found, upon examination, to have a misalignment in the bones of their upper cervical spine. In addition, all of them recalled having some sort of trauma to the head or neck prior to the onset of their vertigo symptoms, including sporting accidents, car accidents, and trips and falls. After receiving upper cervical chiropractic adjustments, all 60 reported seeing improvement in their vertigo. Of these, 48 saw it go away completely.
Another report speaks of a 37-year-old female that complained of neck stiffness and vertigo. After two and a half months of chiropractic care, her symptoms went away.
Both of these reports show positive proof that upper cervical chiropractic care works. Why is this the case? If the top bones of the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae, misalign, they can put undue pressure on the brainstem. This causes the brainstem to send improper signals to the brain about the body’s location in its environment. The brain does not know how to distinguish these mixed signals, and this results in vertigo.
Visiting us here at Precision Spine Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee will result in getting a thorough examination to find the exact location of your misalignment, if one exists. We then use a method that is both gentle and precise to realign the neck bones naturally. Our patients are pleased with the results and report back to us they have seen a great improvement in their vertigo and feel better overall.
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
