Dizziness Is Expensive
According to Dr. Ali S. Saber Tehrani and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University, emergency department visits for dizziness or vertigo cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $4 billion annually—accounting for roughly 4% of all ER-related expenses. These findings, published in the July issue of Academic Emergency Medicine, highlight the significant financial impact of these common symptoms, with the majority of costs attributed to diagnostic testing.
In 2011 alone, there were 3.9 million emergency visits in the United States for dizziness or vertigo. Despite a wide variety of possible causes, treatment often involves trying multiple medications—more than 50 different drugs are commonly prescribed in an effort to control symptoms.
Yet, many people remain unaware that a common but often overlooked cause of dizziness may lie in the neck.
Whiplash Injuries and Vertigo
Dizziness or vertigo is a frequent but underrecognized result of whiplash injuries, which are common in motor vehicle accidents. Research shows that 25 to 50% of individuals with whiplash experience dizziness. While symptoms may resolve quickly for some, others deal with lingering issues that last for weeks, months, or even years.
Whiplash shares many clinical features with post-concussion syndrome, but often includes persistent neck pain or stiffness. Long-term studies indicate that 20 to 45% of patients with moderate to severe whiplash report ongoing symptoms, and about 40% develop degenerative changes over time—especially after high-impact collisions.
The Link Between Upper Cervical Misalignment and Vertigo
When vertigo becomes chronic, it’s essential to examine the upper cervical spine. Trauma to the head or neck can damage the connective tissues that support spinal alignment, leading to instability and misalignment—particularly at the junction where the head meets the neck.
Even a slight misalignment—as little as three-quarters of a degree—can interfere with the brain’s ability to maintain balance. This disruption triggers the righting reflex, a neurological mechanism that adjusts posture to keep the eyes and ears level with the horizon.
Such structural changes can alter blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow, affecting communication between the brain and body. This may result in dizziness, vertigo, or a sense of imbalance. Fortunately, when these misalignments are gently and precisely corrected, many patients experience noticeable relief—often with lasting results.
Correcting these upper neck issues requires care from practitioners trained in specialized upper cervical chiropractic procedures, such as those provided by NUCCA.
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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/