Vertigo and Your Upper Neck
Did you know that vertigo can often arise from injuries to the upper neck that were never properly addressed? Ignoring these injuries can worsen the problem over time, causing dysfunction in the ears, the body’s balance system, or both.
A head or neck injury can cause the upper cervical vertebrae—the Atlas and Axis—to twist out of alignment. When this happens, the head, which weighs 10–14 lbs, shifts off-center relative to the body.
The body then activates a reflex called the righting reflex, initiated in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. The eyes, ears, and body work overtime to compensate for the misalignment, which puts additional pressure on the nervous system.
When Your Brainstem Dysfunctions
The brainstem, which plays a key role in balance, is often the first area affected. It communicates with the ears through cranial nerves to help maintain equilibrium. A misalignment in the upper cervical spine can interfere with this communication, resulting in vertigo.
Fortunately, this can be corrected. Ignoring the problem will only prolong symptoms, but targeted upper cervical care can relieve pressure on the brainstem and restore proper nerve signaling.
Overcoming Vertigo
At Advanced Spinal Care, Dr. Lapenski evaluates the upper neck vertebrae for misalignments that may be causing vertigo. Using precise, gentle adjustments, he can restore alignment, which studies have shown often leads to significant reductions—or even complete elimination—of vertigo symptoms.
If you’re struggling with vertigo, don’t let it control your life. Proper evaluation and care from an experienced upper cervical chiropractor like Dr. Lapenski can provide lasting relief.
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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/