Vertigo
Do you experience vertigo or dizziness? Many patients come to North Bay Spine and Rehab feeling frustrated after trying other providers without clear answers about what is causing their symptoms.
Vertigo can be unsettling and disruptive to daily life. The good news is that many cases respond well to conservative care, including chiropractic treatment and vestibular rehabilitation techniques.
Our doctors focus on identifying the underlying cause of dizziness and developing a personalized treatment plan to help restore balance and improve quality of life.
What Is Vertigo?
Many people use the word “dizziness” to describe different sensations, but vertigo is actually a specific type of dizziness.
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Dizziness: feeling lightheaded, faint, or unsteady
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Vertigo: the sensation that you or the room around you is spinning or moving
Vertigo often occurs when there is a problem involving the inner ear, nervous system, or cervical spine (neck)—all of which play an important role in maintaining balance.
Common Causes of Vertigo
Some of the most common causes of vertigo we see include:
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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
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Inner ear dysfunction affecting the vestibular system
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Neck misalignment or cervical spine dysfunction
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Migraines or vestibular migraines
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Whiplash or previous car accident injuries
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Reduced blood flow affecting balance centers
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Muscle tension or joint restrictions in the neck
The inner ear, brain, and cervical spine work together to maintain balance. When communication between these systems is disrupted, symptoms such as dizziness or vertigo can occur.
Symptoms Associated With Vertigo
Vertigo can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
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Spinning or swaying sensations
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Loss of balance or instability
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Nausea or motion sickness
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Blurred or double vision
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Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
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Ear pressure or hearing changes
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Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
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Headaches or migraines
If you experience persistent dizziness or balance problems, it’s important to determine the underlying cause.
Quick Self-Test for BPPV
One of the most common causes of vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This condition occurs when small crystals in the inner ear become displaced and disrupt balance signals sent to the brain.
You may have BPPV if you notice vertigo when:
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Rolling over in bed
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Looking up or tilting your head back
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Bending forward
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Getting in or out of bed
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Turning your head quickly
Symptoms of BPPV often involve short bursts of spinning that last a few seconds to a minute, sometimes accompanied by nausea.
Fortunately, BPPV can often be treated with simple repositioning techniques such as the Epley maneuver, which helps guide the inner ear crystals back to their proper location.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
Some cases of vertigo are related to neck dysfunction and nervous system imbalance. Restrictions or misalignments in the cervical spine can interfere with the body’s ability to process balance signals.
Treatment may include:
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Gentle chiropractic adjustments
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Vestibular repositioning maneuvers for BPPV
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Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
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Balance and vestibular exercises
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Postural correction strategies
These treatments help restore proper communication between the inner ear, brain, and spine, which can significantly reduce dizziness and improve balance.
Schedule a Consultation
If you or someone you know is experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, our team at North Bay Spine and Rehab can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward lasting relief.
