Professional golfer Jason Day made headlines during the 2015 U.S. Open when he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground during his round. The cause? Benign positional vertigo — the most common form of vertigo. Despite the dizziness, Day courageously returned to play the next round, though symptoms still lingered. This wasn’t his first encounter with vertigo, having previously withdrawn from another tournament due to the same condition.
So, what exactly is vertigo — and why does it strike so suddenly?
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the unsettling sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving when nothing actually is. In Jason Day’s case, this overwhelming dizziness caused his collapse.
Benign positional vertigo (or BPPV) is often triggered by simple head movements — turning over in bed, tipping the head up or down, or even sitting up from a lying position. These brief but intense episodes can make everyday activities feel unstable and disorienting.
Common symptoms include:
- A sudden spinning sensation (you or the environment feel like it’s moving)
- Dizziness or imbalance
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Uncontrolled eye movements (called nystagmus)
These symptoms can occur intermittently and often last less than a minute — but their impact on quality of life can be significant.
Conventional Treatment Options
Sometimes vertigo can resolve on its own. Physical therapy procedures like the Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP) are often used to help reposition small crystals in the inner ear, which may relieve symptoms. Medications can also be prescribed to manage nausea, inflammation, or pressure in the ear — though these approaches typically address symptoms, not the underlying cause.
The NUCCA Connection
One promising area of natural care involves the upper cervical spine — the region at the very top of the neck that surrounds the brainstem. This area plays a critical role in balance, coordination, and how the body senses its position in space.
When the atlas (C1 vertebra) becomes misaligned, it can interfere with normal communication between the brain and body, disrupting signals that control balance and orientation. These disturbances can lead to vertigo-like symptoms.
Through the NUCCA technique, a gentle and precise method of upper cervical chiropractic care, the alignment of the spine and function of the nervous system can be restored. Many patients experience a reduction in dizziness and improved stability after correcting these subtle misalignments.
Finding Relief Naturally
If vertigo is limiting your life, it’s time to explore a natural, corrective solution that focuses on restoring balance at its source. NUCCA care offers a safe, non-invasive approach that supports the body’s ability to heal and function properly.
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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/