Vertigo Specialist In Fairfax, VA

Vertigo is a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, even when you are not moving.

Vertigo is a feeling that the world around you is spinning, rocking, or rotating even when you’re holding perfectly still. Some people might barely notice the sensation, but in others, the feeling can be so severe that they find it impossible to keep their balance and conduct simple everyday tasks.

A Vertigo attack can last for a second or much longer. Most patients often use vertigo and dizziness interchangeably to describe several symptoms, including difficulty walking, balance disorders, and lightheadedness. However, specialists consider vertigo as a symptom that results from a problem in the ear and brain balance centers.

If you are suffering from vertigo that has lasted for days, it is wise to seek a professional evaluation.

Types of Vertigo

Vertigo is not a condition. Rather, it is a symptom of a condition. Several issues can cause vertigo, and they depend on the type of vertigo.

Peripheral vertigo: It’s the most dominant type of vertigo. It occurs when the inner ear or the vestibular nerve (which connects the brain and inner ear) has a problem.
Central Vertigo: It happens when an area of the brain glitches, especially the cerebellum.

Knowing which type of vertigo a person has helps guide the next step in care. A chiropractor can check the neck and balance to see whether the cause fits within chiropractic care.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo signs and symptoms often vary from one person to another. One individual can have mild symptoms, while another can have severe symptoms. It all depends on the cause of the condition.

Common vertigo symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Difficulty in walking
  • Hearing loss in one ear
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Balance problems
  • Nystagmus (involuntary, rapid eye movements)

In severe cases, a person might experience the symptoms below:

  • Weak limbs
  • Slurred speech
  • Eye movement difficulties
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Facial paralysis

Common Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can develop from several different systems within the body. Some common causes include:

  • Meniere’s disease
  • Labyrinthitis (swollen or irritated inner ear)
  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  • Inflammation of the vestibular nerve
  • Migraine
  • Head injury
  • Stroke
  • Cancerous and noncancerous tumors

Some of these causes are minor and some are serious, so persistent vertigo should always be checked.

Vertigo Treatment

Vertigo treatment depends on the cause. Most cases of vertigo usually go away with no treatment. But if the symptom persists, a medical doctor may prescribe pharmacological medication to manage it.

Other Treatments Include:

Vestibular rehabilitation: It’s a rehabilitation program that aims to strengthen the vestibular system, manage dizziness and solve balance problems.

Chiropractic Treatment: It’s a safe, non-surgical treatment that can manage various vertigo symptoms.

Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo

Chiropractic adjustments of the spine may support healthy nervous system function. A well-aligned spine protects the nervous system and supports communication between the brain and the body. Many patients report feeling more comfortable and steadier after adjustments, though individual results can vary.

Besides that, chiropractic manipulations allow your joints and vertebrae in the cervical spine to realign. Therefore, correcting the nervous system pathways allows the correct flow of signals from the inner ears to the brain.

If you’re looking for chiropractic care for vertigo, please visit Active Family Wellness. Our specialists use the Epley maneuver technique, a series of guided head movements that reposition displaced crystals in the inner ear, to help reduce symptoms of positional vertigo.

Book an Appointment

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If you don’t find slots for the appointment, please call us directly at (703) 373-7113.

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Reviewed By
Dr. Gregory Lee, DC, healthcare provider
Doctor Of Chiropractic