Vertigo, or ongoing dizziness, can have a number of causes from brain tumors to multiple sclerosis. But if your doctor has looked you over and failed to find an explanation for your vertigo, you may have been told you have idiopathic vertigo. This translates to "vertigo without a known cause." Since your doctor has been unable to determine the cause of your vertigo, they don't usually offer a lot of treatment options for idiopathic vertigo. Turning to your chiropractor may be a good solution.
How can your chiropractor help with idiopathic vertigo?
Your chiropractor can dig a little deeper and look for a cause of vertigo that doctors tend to overlook. For instance, this symptom often arises when you have a misplaced vertebrae after a traumatic accident or as a result of years of poor posture. The vertebra may be pushing on a spinal nerve, altering the messages that are sent from your brain to your body, and vice versa. This may result in your vertigo. A misplaced vertebrae may also press on nerves related to your inner ear. Since your inner ear helps you keep your balance, this pressure can lead to vertigo.
What will the treatment entail?
Once your chiropractor has identified the misalignment that's contributing to your vertigo, he or she can manipulate that vertebra back into position using gentle pressure. You may feel a slight popping sensation and hear a noise similar to when you crack your knuckles, but you won't feel any pain.
Some patients experience immediate relief from the vertigo once their spine is adjusted. For others, relief takes a bit longer. A misaligned vertebra can irritate the tissues around your spine, causing them to swell and press on nerves. This swelling may subside in the days following your adjustment, causing your vertigo to subside as well.
Your chiropractor will also work with you to determine why your spine was out of alignment. Perhaps your posture is to blame, or maybe you participate in a sport that puts a lot of strain on your back. Based on this evaluation, he or she may recommend some lifestyle changes to keep your spine in alignment and prevent vertigo from coming back. These changes may include stretches to be performed daily, postural hints to remember, and strengthening exercises to keep your spine in alignment as you play sports.
Don't go on living with idiopathic vertigo just because your doctor has been unable to find its cause. Reach out to a chiropractor in your area, and relief may be just an adjustment away. Contact a company like Charles C Gerleman Chiropractic Clinic to get started.
