Vertigo & Dizziness Treatment
Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo and Dizziness
Do you remember playing that children’s game in which you had to spin round faster and faster and then try to walk in a straight line? The resultant dizziness and ‘wobbliness’ caused a lot of laughter in the playground – but when dizziness and vertigo strike in adult life, it’s not so funny, it can be debilitating, depressing and severely affect quality of life.
The good news is that for many of the causes of dizziness and vertigo, Chiropractic care can be helpful. At Balance Chiropractic, I focus on the treatment of patients with these symptoms so please call on (02) 9868 2509 and arrange your initial consultation today.
Symptoms of Dizziness and Vertigo
Symptoms can occur either as a result of a medical condition or an injury, such as head or neck trauma. Symptoms include feeling unsteady on your feet , or that things around you are moving or spinning. You may also experience feelings of light- headedness or faintness, nausea, tiredness, have problems concentrating or blurred vision if you move your head too quickly.
Medication to help with the symptoms may cause drowsiness and make driving or operating machinery dangerous. Chiropractic offers drug-free treatment and provides a safe and effective alternative.
Some Common Causes:
Vertigo is usually caused by a problem within the inner ear affecting the vestibular system that regulates balance by sensing movement.
- BPPV or Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of vertigo and happens when tiny crystals of calcium carbonate become detached and fall into the wrong part of the canals within the inner ear. Movement can cause these particles to stimulate motion sensors in the ear, leading to intense sensations of vertigo, which can be triggered by something as simple as turning over in bed or looking up at the ceiling. The symptoms of BPPV are a common cause of falling in older people.
- Meniere’s Disease can be an extremely debilitating and distressing problem. Symptoms include tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear, hearing loss that may come and go and episodes of vertigo that can last from half an hour to 24 hours or longer. The problem is associated with a build up of excess fluid in the inner ear. Chiropractic care may be beneficial for Meniere’s sufferers but it is important to seek help early – as with each recurrence of the symptoms, more damage is done to hearing and balance. There is no cure for Meniere’s, but your Chiropractor can help with vestibular rehabilitation, exercises that help the brain to adjust to the signals coming from the affected ear (or ears) in order to minimize the long- term effects of the condition.
- Vestibular Migraine (VM), also called Migraine Associated Vertigo is a less common cause of dizziness and affects one in ten Migraine sufferers. Symptoms include vertigo episodes that can last anything from a few minutes to 72 hours. Chiropractic can help Vestibular Migraine sufferers without drugs or medication and benefits include decreased frequency and intensity of attacks, attacks of shorter duration and longer periods between attacks of Migraine.
Understanding the Cause is Key to Effective Treatment
At Balance Chiropractic, I will conduct a thorough assessment of your symptoms and medical history. Because it is so vital to understand the cause of your problem before being able to treat it successfully, I will be looking at all the clues to determine whether your symptoms stem from –
· A Peripheral problem, (a problem with the information that is coming in to your brain)
· A Central problem, (a problem with interpreting this information correctly)
While for some people, further tests may be necessary, requiring a referral to another specialist healthcare practitioner, in most cases this is not necessary. Most patients go home after their first appointment, understanding the cause and nature of the problem responsible for their dizziness and vertigo and with an agreed treatment plan designed to bring relief from the problems they are experiencing. Call on (02) 9868 2509 and arrange your initial consultation today