What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is a type of inner ear disorder characterized by the abnormal perception of sound and a feeling of extreme dizziness. Meniere’s disease affects each person differently. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others are severely affected.
Signs and Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
People with Meniere’s disease experience episodes of vertigo, followed by a period of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. These symptoms are often accompanied by a feeling of pressure and a sense of fullness in the ear.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Meniere’s Disease
The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, but researchers have linked the disorder to a combination of factors, including inner ear complications, genetic predisposition, autoimmune disorders, and vertebral misalignments in the upper cervical spine.
As you may or may not know, the upper cervical spine consists of the first seven vertebrae in the upper back and neck. These vertebrae are directly involved in the everyday functions of the inner ear, and they can affect the nerves that carry information from the inner ear to the brain.
When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, the vestibulocochlear nerve can be compressed, causing a disruption in the flow of information from the inner ear to the brain. This can lead to a variety of ear problems, including Meniere’s disease. Upper cervical misalignment can also cause inflammation and blockages in the eustachian tubes, small canals in the inner ear and throat that equalize pressure and drain fluid from the inner ear. Research indicates that intermittent eustachian tube dysfunction is a key trigger in the onset of Meniere’s disease.
How Our Meniere’s Disease Treatment Works
At our office, we utilize a specific technique called upper cervical correction to treat patients with Meniere’s disease. Upper cervical correction is a gentle, non-invasive approach to spinal correction. It is particularly effective at reducing the pressure on the nerves and musculature around the upper cervical spine.
Our treatment regime for Meniere’s disease begins with a thorough examination of the spinal column and inner ear. If a vertebral misalignment is detected, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Bello, will use a combination of cone-beam computed tomography scans and X-rays to identify the exact location of the misaligned vertebrae. Dr. Bello will then perform a series of gentle, non-invasive spinal corrections to correct the misalignment and restore the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
In addition to reducing inflammation along the eustachian tubes, this process will also remove any impediments to the transmission of information between the inner ear and the brain, thereby alleviating if not eliminating the symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
If you want a natural treatment for Meniere’s disease, Dr. Bello can help. He services patients in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, Beverly Hills, and the surrounding areas.