Have you ever felt like you’re living in a tornado, with everything spinning around you? Vertigo is a scary and debilitating condition that can negatively affect an individual’s quality of life. Recent research shows that nearly 20% of all adults are affected by vertigo. For adults over the age of 40, that number increases to 40%. For adults over 65 with vertigo, there is a 25% chance of experiencing a fall as a result of vertigo. Even though vertigo itself isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can be the cause of both physical and mental trauma for anyone living with it.
The most common symptom of vertigo is the sensation that your surroundings are spinning. In addition, many people with vertigo can experience loss of balance, nausea & vomiting, headaches, ringing in the ears, sweating, and nystagmus (abnormal movements of the eyes).
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Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.
While vertigo can result in a wide range of symptoms that affect many parts of the body, vertigo is actually a condition of the inner ear. The vestibular system of the inner ear consists of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs that contain tiny hairs and crystals. These structures are responsible for detecting head position and movement, and relay information to the brain via the Vestibulocochlear nerve. This process allows us to keep our balance and center of gravity under normal conditions. If dysfunction of the inner ear is present, the information is not appropriately relayed, which can result in vertigo symptoms.
Possible causes of vertigo include TMJ and migraine, as well as specific inner ear disorders such as BPV & BPPV, Meniere’s Disease, or Cholesteatoma. Autoimmune diseases such as MS can also result in vertigo symptoms. Infections such as Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis have also been found to cause vertigo. Concussions, head or neck injuries, or other trauma to the central nervous system can also cause vertigo.
As always, obtaining a proper diagnosis for vertigo is crucial because there are various ways to care for someone with this condition. Medical doctors may prescribe medications like Dramamine to help with vertigo symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. These medications may help you feel better, but they don’t address the root cause of your vertigo. Chiropractic care is a natural approach to managing vertigo symptoms by addressing the underlying cause of the problem. Chiropractors are not only trained in identifying and correcting nerve interference that may be causing vertigo symptoms, but they are also well-versed in maneuvers such as Epley’s and others that can help address dysfunction of the inner ear.
How Our Vertigo Relief Plan Works
1. Be Heard
And Understood
Quality time with a health professional, so you can be truly heard and understood, isn’t all that common. We understand that. This is why, on your first visit, you will meet with one of our doctors and share your health concerns and struggles so we can understand exactly why you are here and what you want to achieve. The doctor will determine what testing is necessary to find the source of your health concerns and answer the biggest question of all: Can Chiropractic Care Help?
2. Discover How We Can Help You
Every new patient should feel like they are making the right decision for their health. This is why our doctors explain what they are looking for in the testing, so our patients know exactly what is going on, instead of just being a bystander. We will share everything we discover from your testing and exams, including if we can help you. In the unfortunate event that we cannot help, our doctors will provide any additional resources they feel would be appropriate to assist you.
3. Achieve Your Health Goals Together
Whether you just want to be out of pain, or you want to get back to golfing without limitations, or you are desperate to get a restful night’s sleep, we will be with you every step of the way. We’ll achieve your goals
How We Help With Vertigo in West Omaha, NE
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
To determine the best way to address vertigo, you must first determine the root cause of the problem. At Family First Chiropractic, all new patients start with a comprehensive consultation and examination with one of our doctors. The doctor will first ask questions to gather a detailed history of your injuries, document any previous traumas you have experienced, and discover any daily habits that may be contributing to your vertigo. This allows the doctor to determine which examinations are necessary to gather additional information about your condition. Further testing can include bio-structural analysis, range of motion testing, and static & motion palpation of the spine. These tests help the doctor determine if it is necessary to take X-rays to visualize the exact cause of the problem.
There are many causes of vertigo, some of which can be signs of a serious problem. It is essential to consult with a professional who is trained in determining the cause of your vertigo to ensure that you are pursuing the proper strategy to address your vertigo. As chiropractors, we are taught to decide whether your vertigo is caused by nervous system interference, also known as spinal subluxation. It is essential to identify the root cause of your vertigo to determine the most effective and targeted approach to addressing the issue.
Specific Chiropractic Care in West Omaha, NE
A subluxation is a misalignment of one or more vertebrae. When spinal bones become misaligned, they can put pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves as they branch off from the spinal cord between the vertebrae. It is essential to have your subluxations corrected. If subluxations are not corrected, they will cause degenerative changes over time in the intervertebral discs, the vertebral bodies, and the surrounding structures. Additionally, the presence of subluxation distorts the afferent and efferent communication functions of the nervous system, resulting in the brain and body being unable to communicate effectively. When the brain is unable to send and receive clear communication, this can result in bodily dysfunction or disease.
Subluxation, or spinal misalignment, can be correlated with vertigo symptoms. Misaligned vertebrae can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate cerebrospinal fluid and blood pressure. If the subluxation is putting pressure on nerves that feed the ears, this can result in inflammation of the inner ear. When the nerves controlling the functions of the jaw are impacted, this can cause dysfunction of the ear canals, which are responsible for maintaining balance.
If you are experiencing vertigo symptoms, it is essential to ensure that your nervous system is not experiencing any interference. Chiropractic adjustments regulate the function of the nervous system, allowing for a proper range of motion in the spine. This will give your body the best chance to function optimally. Suppose the cause of your vertigo symptoms is related to the spine. In that case, chiropractic care is often the most straightforward, least invasive, and most economical route for addressing your vertigo symptoms.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Many people with vertigo benefit from specific corrective exercises that can complement their chiropractic care to help address vertigo symptoms. Exercises are vital because they help to correct the positioning of the calcium crystals in the inner ear. Recommended exercises for vertigo may include the Epley Maneuver, Brandt-Daroff Exercise, and the Semont Maneuver. These exercises are all designed to redistribute the crystals in the inner ear, which is the most common cause of vertigo symptoms. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that you are engaging in the best exercise to address your specific vertigo symptoms.
If we determine that chiropractic care can benefit you, we will provide targeted chiropractic adjustments to address your specific subluxations and help restore balance to your central nervous system. But that’s not the end of it. You will also need training in balance and coordination. Our doctors will provide specific exercises to help improve mobility, balance, and daily function. They will also teach you how to improve your balance and coordination, such as the proper way to step over an extension cord, how to step up onto a curb safely, how to lift your feet to prevent shuffling, and how to navigate stairs safely.
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Common Causes of Vertigo in West Omaha, NE
BPPV & BPV
BPV (Benign Positional Vertigo) is a condition that causes vertigo with any bodily positional change. BBPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is a condition that results in dizziness and vertigo symptoms because calcium crystals in the inner ear have moved from their proper positions in the ear canal. BPV & BPPV episodes are generally associated with dizziness, lack of balance, and brief but intense episodes of vertigo. There can also be moments of nystagmus, which are rapid eye movements. This can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
A common trigger for a BPV or BPPV episode is turning your head while lying down. The best way to address a BPV or BPPV episode is to follow bed rest, along with the Epley Maneuver to redistribute the misplaced crystals in the ear canal.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear canal (the labyrinth), which can be caused by infection, injury, and in some cases, by autoimmune disease. The symptoms of labyrinthitis can include episodes of vertigo, dizziness, nausea, balance issues, difficulty hearing, and even tinnitus.
To resolve labyrinthitis, you must reduce the inflammation affecting the ear canal. A trained health professional can help you determine the cause of inner ear inflammation and recommend the most effective methods to reduce it. In more severe cases, vestibular rehabilitation therapy may be needed.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition where fluid builds up in one ear. The symptoms of Meniere’s disease include vertigo, dizziness, hearing problems, and a feeling of fluid buildup in the ear. There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but there are strategies to help ease the symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to help alleviate fluid buildup and symptoms of vertigo. Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy can also be beneficial. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is the nerve responsible for balance and coordination. Chronic ear infections, shingles, and the herpes virus are the most common causes of vestibular neuritis. Symptoms include a sudden onset of vertigo or a spinning sensation, which can last for hours or even days in more severe cases. Vestibular neuritis symptoms can also include nausea, balance problems, dizziness, tinnitus, and difficulty with walking.
Medical providers may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation or address infections that are causing vestibular neuritis. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help reduce inflammation and address balance or dizziness issues. It is also essential to get plenty of rest as soon as symptoms begin.
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is a skin cyst that develops in the middle ear. It can be caused by frequent ear infections, improper alignment of the eustachian tube, and, in some cases, it may be present at birth. Symptoms of cholesteatoma include dizziness, difficulty hearing in the affected ear, tinnitus, balance and coordination problems, nausea, and chronic foul-smelling ear discharge.
Care for cholesteatoma can include surgical removal of the skin cyst, chiropractic adjustments of the Eustachian tube, and hearing bone reconstructive surgery in the most serious cases.
Concussion
A concussion is a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury that results in a change in the function of the brain. Vertigo can be one result of a concussion due to the damage received by the brain during a collision or fall. Vertigo can also be a cause of concussions due to the change in balance and dizziness that can result in falls.
Anyone can be at risk for a concussion, but the most likely are those who experience frequent falls, since that is the most common way to get a concussion. Also, athletes involved in contact sports (such as football, rugby, boxing, etc.) are at a higher risk of
getting a concussion.
The symptoms of a concussion can include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, brain fog, vision problems, tinnitus, sensitivity to light or sound, and amnesia.
There are many myths relating to concussions. Some people think that concussions are only serious if you are experiencing significant side effects. Others may believe that no interventions are needed, or that you can immediately return to your daily activities without any modifications. You may have heard that it is possible to just “walk off” your concussion, or that a concussion is only possible with a violent hit to the head.
It is essential to view concussions as serious because they are a form of traumatic brain injury, regardless of the severity (or lack) of symptoms. Rest, monitoring of the patient, and reduction in daily movement and activities are all critical for helping your brain to heal after a concussion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can going to a chiropractor in West Omaha, NE, help with vertigo?
Yes. Chiropractors are trained to assess vertigo symptoms and design a plan to address both the symptoms and their underlying causes.
Can a misaligned neck cause vertigo?
Yes, having misaligned vertebrae in the cervical spine (neck) can be the cause of a person’s vertigo. Misalignments in this area of the body can affect blood pressure regulation, cause changes in the inner ear, and impact the function and position of the jaw, all of which are underlying causes of vertigo.
How do you get rid of vertigo fast?
The fastest way to eliminate vertigo is to identify the specific cause. Once the origin is established, remedies such as chiropractic adjustments, anti-inflammatories, or even antibiotics may be administered.
Why do I keep getting vertigo?
If you experience repeated episodes of vertigo, it is essential to identify the cause of your symptoms accurately. This will help to determine the proper way to address the cause of your vertigo. If you are experiencing ongoing vertigo symptoms, you may not have yet identified the root cause of the problem.
Can spine problems cause vertigo?
Spinal problems can be a cause of vertigo. If there are misalignments in the upper cervical spine, occiput, or sacrum, the likelihood of developing vertigo and vertigo-like symptoms increases significantly.
What triggers vertigo attacks?
Various sources within the body can cause vertigo attacks. Misaligned vertebrae, inner ear infections, and displacement of crystals in the ear canal are all common triggers for vertigo symptoms.
What are the best exercises to do for vertigo?
The best exercises for vertigo are slow, range-of-motion neck exercises when symptoms have started to decrease. The Epley Maneuver is helpful in more acute cases because it helps to realign the inner ear crystals to their proper position.
Book Your First Vertigo Relief Exam
Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.