Vertigo can range from a mild sensation of movement when you’re standing still, or a feeling that the world is spinning, to a debilitating dizziness that may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, or anxiety. There are medications that can ease vertigo, but they have a variety of side effects that can be just as bad, or worse. In most cases, vertigo is minor and will resolve on its own, without treatment, in a matter of weeks or months. If faster relief is needed, chiropractic treatment is often even more effective, and without side effects.
Treatment for vertigo will depend on specific diagnosis, along with a number of other factors. In order to diagnose your vertigo, a chiropractor will conduct a thorough exam. The exam will begin with a thorough medical history, as vertigo may be a side effect of many medications, as well as a symptom of many conditions. Blood pressure will be taken, as vertigo may be a symptom of both high and low blood pressure. Some positioning tests may also be done in order to determine which, if any, positions trigger the vertigo, as well as to see how the body responds to certain positions. These tests can help pinpoint the specific cause of vertigo.
While chiropractic care is highly effective for many cases of vertigo, chiropractors will exercise caution when treating the problem. In some cases, other conditions may contraindicate some of the treatments, while in other cases, associated symptoms may indicate a serious neurological condition. In these cases, your chiropractor will refer you back to either your general practitioner, a neurologist, or other health care professional. A few patients may find the treatment actually aggravates their vertigo, but this is usually temporary.
Unlike many other conditions treated by chiropractors, vertigo is generally not treated with adjustments. Rather, it is usually treated with one or more positional techniques, such as the Epley manoeuvre or the Semont manoeuvre. Studies have shown that approximately 80% of patients undergoing these manoeuvres experience significant relief after just one session, while most of the remaining 20% get relief after a couple of additional sessions. Your chiropractor may also recommend vestibular exercises designed to help keep the vertigo from returning.
In a majority of cases, vertigo is diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. BPPV is usually the result of calcium deposits in the inner ear, though this can have a variety of causes, including severe viral infection and head trauma. The positioning techniques used to treat vertigo are intended to help move these deposits to a different part of the inner ear, where they will be less likely to cause vertigo.
Vertigo can also indicate a number of other less common, though more serious, conditions, including Meniere’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain lesions, hypertension, and insufficient blood flow to the brain stem.
In cases of minor vertigo, you may be able to get relief with a few lifestyle changes. Limit your consumption of alcohol and fried or salty food, and stop smoking. Be sure you’re getting plenty of sleep, reduce your stress levels, and get some exercise. If you get vertigo as a symptom of migraine, try to identify your triggers, and avoid them as much as possible.
If you experience weakness, visual disturbances, clumsiness, drowsiness, abnormal eye movement, or behavioral changes, you should seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, call Eastern Brain Centre today on 03 8652 1628 to schedule an appointment to find out how a chiropractor may be able to help you.
Treatment for vertigo will depend on specific diagnosis, along with a number of other factors. In order to diagnose your vertigo, a chiropractor will conduct a thorough exam. The exam will begin with a thorough medical history, as vertigo may be a side effect of many medications, as well as a symptom of many conditions. Blood pressure will be taken, as vertigo may be a symptom of both high and low blood pressure. Some positioning tests may also be done in order to determine which, if any, positions trigger the vertigo, as well as to see how the body responds to certain positions. These tests can help pinpoint the specific cause of vertigo.
While chiropractic care is highly effective for many cases of vertigo, chiropractors will exercise caution when treating the problem. In some cases, other conditions may contraindicate some of the treatments, while in other cases, associated symptoms may indicate a serious neurological condition. In these cases, your chiropractor will refer you back to either your general practitioner, a neurologist, or other health care professional. A few patients may find the treatment actually aggravates their vertigo, but this is usually temporary.
Unlike many other conditions treated by chiropractors, vertigo is generally not treated with adjustments. Rather, it is usually treated with one or more positional techniques, such as the Epley manoeuvre or the Semont manoeuvre. Studies have shown that approximately 80% of patients undergoing these manoeuvres experience significant relief after just one session, while most of the remaining 20% get relief after a couple of additional sessions. Your chiropractor may also recommend vestibular exercises designed to help keep the vertigo from returning.
In a majority of cases, vertigo is diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. BPPV is usually the result of calcium deposits in the inner ear, though this can have a variety of causes, including severe viral infection and head trauma. The positioning techniques used to treat vertigo are intended to help move these deposits to a different part of the inner ear, where they will be less likely to cause vertigo.
Vertigo can also indicate a number of other less common, though more serious, conditions, including Meniere’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain lesions, hypertension, and insufficient blood flow to the brain stem.
In cases of minor vertigo, you may be able to get relief with a few lifestyle changes. Limit your consumption of alcohol and fried or salty food, and stop smoking. Be sure you’re getting plenty of sleep, reduce your stress levels, and get some exercise. If you get vertigo as a symptom of migraine, try to identify your triggers, and avoid them as much as possible.
If you experience weakness, visual disturbances, clumsiness, drowsiness, abnormal eye movement, or behavioral changes, you should seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, call Eastern Brain Centre today on 03 8652 1628 to schedule an appointment to find out how a chiropractor may be able to help you.