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CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR VERTIGO

Get Back in Balance with Chiropractic Care With Dr. Alex Casey of Birmingham Health

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR VERTIGO

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness where the patient experiences the perception of motion, due to a problem with the inner ear, vestibular system or central nervous system.

Symptoms associated with vertigo can often include: headaches, vision problems and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Vertigo can be quite debilitating: one study showed that 86% of affected individuals sought medical consultation and had interruption of their daily activities or sick leave from work.

 
 

Chiropractic and Vertigo

The management of vertigo depends on its cause – there is evidence to support the rationale for chiropractic care in many cases, often in conjunction with repositioning maneuvers.

Numerous case reports have shown that chiropractic care is beneficial for patients suffering from vertigo.

One specific study followed 60 patients over 8 years, al treated with upper cervical chiropractic. Within 1 to 6 months all patients were showing improvements and 80% were symptoms free.

By correcting spinal misalignments (subluxations), particularly in the neck, one of the potential contributors of vertigo can be eliminated.

 
 
 

Vertigo can be disabling and distressing

Vertigo can be managed with chiropractic care

Vertigo repositioning techniques are very effective

 
 
 

What Are the Different Causes of Vertigo?

In general, the reflexes responsible for maintaining balance are regulated through the inner ear, eye muscles and cervical spine (neck). Disturbance in any one of these regions can cause symptoms of vertigo.

Some specific causes of vertigo include:

  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Bacterial Infection
  • Seizures
  • Migraines
  • Cervicogenic Vertigo (Subluxation and/or Muscle Tension)
  • Vestibular Neuritis
  • BPPV (**Most Common)
  • Tumors / Cancers
  • Trauma to the Skull or Spine
  • Certain Prescription Medications

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Phone: 205-385-9999
Email: info@bhamhealth.com

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common type of vertigo, caused by free floating calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear.

BPPV may be diagnosed by your chiropractor using a simple in-office test and once positively identified, can often be treated successfully using simple repositioning techniques, such as The Epley Maneuver or The Semont (Liberatory) Maneuver.

The Epley Maneuver

  1. The patient is seated, with legs fully extended and head rotated 45 degrees towards the affected side.
  2. The patient is quickly brought into a supine (face up) position, with head extended 3o degrees and still rotated to affected side (patient remains in this position for 1-2 minutes).
  3. The patient’s head is rotated 90 degrees to the opposite side, while still maintaining head extension (patient remains in this position for 1-2 minutes).
  4. The patient rolls into a side lying position, and rotates the head another 90 degrees in the same direction, so that they are now looking downwards at a 45 degree angle (patient remains in this position for 1-2 minutes).
  5. Patients is slowly brought back up to a seated position, maintaining the 45 degree head rotation (patient holds the seated position for 30 seconds).

**The maneuver may be done up to 3 times in succession

**It is normal for the patient to experience dizziness during each step of the treatment.

The Semont or Liberatory Maneuver

  1. The patient is seated, with head rotated 45 degrees towards the unaffected side.
  2. The patient is brought into a side lying position towards the affected side, with head still rotated towards unaffected side (patient remains in this position for 3-5 minutes).
  3. The patient is then quickly brought back through the seated position and into a side lying position on the unaffected side, with the head held steady the entire time, now facing downward 45 degrees (patient remains in this position for 3-5 minutes).
  4. The patient is slowly brought back to an upright, seated position. **It is normal for the patient to experience dizziness during each step of the treatment.

Post treatment instructions for the Epley and Semont Maneuvers

Patients should wait 10-15 minutes before returning home and should not drive themselves.

Following treatment, patients are encouraged to maintain an upright head posture for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours including during sleep (sleeping semi-reclined in a chair instead of lying flat).

For at least one week following treatment, patients should avoid sleeping on the affected side.

Learn More

Birmingham Health serves families throughout Hoover and the surrounding areas. We are centrally located in Bluff Park and our friendly staff can help answer any questions you have and can schedule your appointment. Contact us today.

Contact Us

Birmingham Health
Phone: 205-385-9999
Email: info@bhamhealth.com

Business Hours

Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm
Friday 9am-11am

Our Location

801 Shades Crest Rd Unit B,
Birmingham, AL 35226
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