When Vertigo Doesn’t Go Away: Understanding BPPV and Your Options
If you’ve experienced sudden dizziness or a spinning sensation when changing positions, you may have been diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)—the most common cause of vertigo symptoms.
BPPV is often caused when tiny calcium crystals (called otoconia) in your inner ear become dislodged and move into areas where they shouldn’t be. These misplaced crystals interfere with your balance and lead to brief episodes of vertigo, often lasting less than a minute.
The Epley Maneuver
One of the most common treatments for BPPV is the Epley maneuver, a repositioning technique used by physical therapists and some doctors. It involves a series of head movements designed to guide the crystals back into their proper location within the inner ear.
If you’ve been diagnosed with BPPV, there’s a good chance you’ve already tried this technique—either with a healthcare provider or at home.
But What If the Epley Maneuver Doesn’t Help?
In many cases, patients who don’t find relief from the Epley maneuver are sent home with medication and advised to wait it out—often for several weeks. But not all vertigo is caused by inner ear crystals, and not all vertigo responds to repositioning techniques.
If you’ve tried the Epley maneuver without success—or your vertigo keeps returning—it may be time to consider another approach.
A Different Angle: NUCCA and Vertigo Relief
There are other underlying causes of vertigo that often go undetected. In our experience, misalignments in the upper cervical spine can have a profound effect on balance and inner ear function. When the upper neck is out of alignment, it can interfere with nerve communication and blood flow to the brain and inner ear, contributing to chronic vertigo.
At our Graham, Washington clinic, we’ve helped patients find lasting, natural relief from vertigo symptoms through gentle NUCCA chiropractic care—without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.
Ready to Try a New Approach?
If your vertigo isn’t improving or keeps coming back, don’t give up. We’ve helped many patients find answers and lasting relief after other options failed.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/