Table of Contents
What is BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common form of vertigo experienced by people. It is more common for women than men. The likelihood of occurrence increases with age, especially after age 50. Head injuries increase the risk for BPPV.
Fortunately, BPPV is very rarely life-threatening. The exception would be when it occurs at an inopportune time for a fall since vertigo is the sensation that a person is spinning. It’s not something that you want to have happen while driving or in a situation where a fall would be dangerous (climbing a ladder, for example).
How the Neck Relates to Vertigo
When a person experiences vertigo, it is usually because there is something wrong with the communication between the inner ear and the brain. This communication is transmitted through the vestibulocochlear nerve (also called the eighth cranial nerve). How can this problem be caused by an upper neck misalignment?
When the C1 and C2 are out of alignment, it can affect much of central nervous system including the brainstem, spinal cord, and vestibulocochlear nerve. As a result, the body may lose balance or the ability to tell accurately where it is in space. This can lead to the feeling of spinning that characterizes BPPV.
As noted above, head injuries are often associated with vertigo. Head injuries are also a common cause of an upper cervical misalignment. Hence, it is a good idea to get your neck examined, especially if you are experiencing vertigo and suffered a head injury, even if it occurred some years in the past.
Upper Cervical Care for Vertigo
At Source Chiropractic and Wellness, we use the upper cervical method to locate precisely and correct upper cervical misalignments. When the misalignment is corrected, the nervous system can restore proper function. This, in turn, may reduce the frequency of or even eliminate vertigo.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Cheney, call our Draper office at 385-331-7035. You can also click one of the buttons below.
For English Consultation:
Para Consulta en Español: