Vertigo is known for the sensation that you or the things in your environment seem to be spinning when there is no movement. Only half of all vertigo cases are found to have a cause that can be identified. This is often due to a problem that lies in the bones of the upper cervical spine. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of vertigo and will be what we are referring to in this article.
A recent study revealed some interesting facts about the underlying cause of vertigo. This study was conducted in 2006 and involved 60 patients who were suffering from spinning. Out of these, 56 of them remembered enduring some sort of trauma in the past before the onset of vertigo. It was not always a major incident and included such things as:
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This proves that there is a definite link between an injury to the neck and vertigo. Why does this happen? We will talk about that a little later on and see the results of the study. First, let’s talk some more about vertigo and what it is.
Vertigo brings about short episodes of mild to intense dizziness. It is often triggered by specific changes in the position of your head. You may notice it when you tip your head forward or backward, when you roll over in bed, when you sit up from a lying position, or when you lie down. It is rarely life-threatening unless you are in a dangerous location when it happens – such as on a high ladder or driving a car.
These symptoms may come and go, most often lasting for less than one minute. They may go into remission for some time and then reoccur. You may feel out of balance when you are walking or standing still. Occasionally, nystagmus may occur. This is abnormal rhythmic movements or jerking of the eye.
As mentioned, vertigo is usually harmless. However, it is important for you to seek the care of your primary care doctor if your vertigo is accompanied by any of the following:
If one of the bones of the upper cervical spine is out of alignment, this may be the underlying cause of vertigo. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are located in the same area of the neck as the brainstem. In fact, they have the important job of protecting the brainstem from damage.
However, if you have been involved in an accident that has injured your head or neck, one of these bones may become misaligned. This puts the brainstem under pressure and can cause it to send improper signals to the brain about where the body is located. This can lead to the symptoms of vertigo.
Here at Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care, we use a method that is gentle and precise to help the bones of the neck to realign back into place. It is based on science and specific measurements. It does not require us to pop or crack the spine to realign the bones. The participants in the above-mentioned study all saw an improvement in their vertigo. One of them had vertigo for 37 years and was free of it after only one month of care.
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If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Dr. Perkins grew up in Novi, Michigan and attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He received his Doctorate Magna Cum Laude with a focus on Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Chris is well known in the community for his public speaking and holds a number of professional certifications. We are proud to say that Dr. Perkins and Perkins Family Wellness has been recognized by Hour Magazine as one of the Top Chiropractors in Metro Detroit for 3 years in row.