What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a condition that leaves patients feeling dizzy and unbalanced for extended periods of time. Vertigo episodes, while not life-threatening, can be disorienting and often stop you from performing simple, everyday tasks like driving or getting up from bed. There are a wide range of potential causes of vertigo, from head injuries to blockages of the inner ear. However, one of the most overlooked causes of vertigo is a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Vertigo
The primary symptoms of vertigo are dizziness or feeling as though the room is spinning despite being on solid ground. Depending on the underlying cause of your vertigo, the condition may be accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headaches, nausea, or vomiting.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Vertigo
The upper cervical spine is made up of the seven vertebrae that sit below the base of the skull. Not only do these vertebrae support the head and provide a stabilizing framework for the muscles of the neck and back, but they also act as a support structure for the craniofacial nerves. These nerves provide input to the brain from all over the head and face and are responsible for transmitting sensations of equilibrium and balance received from the vestibular system of the inner ear.
In many vertigo cases, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine will compress and pinch one or more of the craniofacial nerves. This can lead to inflammation in the eustachian tubes of the inner ear, which can cause fluid buildup and dysfunction in the vestibular system. Left untreated, misalignment-induced dysfunction of the inner ear can cause long-term vertigo episodes as well as a host of other health problems.
How Our Vertigo Treatment In Los Angeles Works
At our local Los Angeles clinic, we utilize the Blair Chiropractic Technique to provide relief to patients suffering from bouts of vertigo. This progressive form of chiropractic treatment focuses on correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine to reboot the body’s natural healing mechanisms and restore function to the inner ear.
Dr Bello, our expert Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique practitioner, will use several diagnostic imaging tools to pinpoint the location of misalignments in the upper cervical spine that could be triggering your vertigo. Using cone-beam computed tomography scans and X-rays, Dr. Bello can look closely at your upper cervical spine right here in our clinic in Los Angeles.
If a misalignment is detected during the diagnostic process, Dr. Bello will administer treatment using gentle and precise correction techniques to restore the affected vertebrae to their natural alignment. By eliminating a major source of inflammation in the inner ear, our upper cervical treatment can provide you with lasting relief from your vertigo symptoms.
You don’t have to live with vertigo, let Dr. Bello get you back on track at our local Los Angeles clinic. Dr. Bello also services patients in Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.