If someone ever feels as though they are spinning—or that the room around them is spinning even while standing still—they may be experiencing vertigo. These episodes can come on suddenly and disappear just as quickly, or they may last for several hours or even days. During an episode, some people also experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, or double vision. When vertigo strikes, it can significantly disrupt daily life, whether a person is at home or at work.
Vertigo is actually one of the most common reasons people visit the emergency room. Because of this, it is important that anyone experiencing these symptoms seek evaluation from a medical professional. In some cases, vertigo may occur only once and never return. However, it is essential to rule out more serious conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or a brain bleed.
Once these serious medical concerns have been ruled out, other options can be explored. Medical doctors may recommend medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or tricyclic antidepressants. While these medications may help manage symptoms, they often focus on relieving the discomfort rather than addressing the underlying cause.
Getting to the Root of Vertigo
In many cases, the underlying cause of vertigo may be overlooked while the symptoms are being treated. The body’s nervous system originates in the brain and travels through the upper cervical spine at the top of the neck. The top vertebra in this area is called the atlas bone (C1).
Falls, accidents, or injuries—even those that happened many years ago—can affect this delicate structure. Because the atlas is highly mobile and vulnerable, it can become misaligned following trauma. When this occurs, it may interfere with normal nerve communication between the brain and the body.
A misalignment in this area has the potential to contribute to a variety of health concerns, including vertigo. Gentle and precise correction of this region of the neck can help restore proper alignment and improve nervous system function.
When the nervous system is able to function properly again, the body can begin to heal. For some individuals, this may lead to a reduction in vertigo symptoms, and in certain cases, symptoms may disappear entirely—without the need for medication.
To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below.
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our patient results here.
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/