Vertigo

Vertigo treatment for Brownsburg and Pittsboro residents

Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It is the false sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when no actual movement is occurring. It is typically described by patients as the room spinning or moving around them. Vertigo differs from general dizziness, lightheadedness, or imbalance, although these symptoms may occur together.

Common Causes of Vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo may also occur as a result of neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, or other medical conditions. Appropriate referral may be necessary when symptoms suggest a cause outside the musculoskeletal or vestibular systems.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is one of the most common causes of true vertigo. Tiny calcium particles within the inner ear become displaced, causing brief episodes of spinning that are often triggered by rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending over.

Cervicogenic Dizziness

Some dizziness may originate from dysfunction of the cervical spine. Patients often describe feeling off-balance, unsteady, or disoriented rather than experiencing true spinning vertigo. Symptoms may occur alongside neck pain, stiffness, headaches, or a history of neck injury.

Migraine-Associated Vertigo

Some migraine sufferers experience dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity, or balance disturbances. These symptoms may occur with or without a headache and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other vestibular conditions.

Vestibular Disorders

Conditions affecting the inner ear and vestibular system may lead to dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, and motion sensitivity. Examples include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease.

Common Symptoms of Vertigo or Dizziness

  • Spinning sensations
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Imbalance / Feeling unsteady while walking
  • Motion sensitivity
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Feeling disconnected or “off”
  • Symptoms when rolling over in bed
  • Symptoms when looking up, bending over, or turning the head

Treatment Options

Chiropractic Care Spinal manipulation and mobilization may help improve motion, reduce pain, and restore normal joint function.

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation exercises can improve strength, coordination, and movement patterns contributing to vertigo. Manual therapy or vistibulo therapy may be appropriate depending on the cause of the symptoms.

Epley’s Maneuver The maneuver is designed to reposition the otoliths, ear stones, within the inner ear by a coordinated sequence of head and body movements.

Modification Daily balance training and activity modification such as incline sleeping wedge may be required for long term improvement.

How vertigo is evaluated

Evaluation includes a detailed health history, physical examination, orthopedic testing, neurological assessment, and review of functional limitations. When necessary, imaging studies or laboratory testing may be ordered to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning. A full assessment may require referral to a vestibular specialist.

Related Conditions

FAQ

Dizziness is a broad term that may describe lightheadedness, unsteadiness, imbalance, or feeling “off.” Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness in which a person experiences the false sensation of spinning, tilting, or movement when no actual movement is occurring.

Vertigo describes a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis. While emergency evaluation may rule out serious medical conditions such as stroke, additional examination may be needed to determine whether symptoms are related to the inner ear, cervical spine, migraine disorders, or another cause.

Vertigo ear crystals (otoliths) are tiny calcium carbonate particles located within the inner ear. When these particles become displaced, they may contribute to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), one of the most common causes of spinning vertigo. They may lodge against the motion detectors in the inner ear stimulating a false sense of motion.

The Epley maneuver is a series of guided head and body movements designed to reposition displaced inner-ear crystals associated with BPPV.

Vertigo triggered by rolling over in bed, bending over, or looking upward is commonly associated with BPPV. These positional changes may cause displaced inner-ear crystals to stimulate the balance organs inappropriately.

In some individuals, dysfunction of the cervical spine may contribute to feelings of dizziness, disequilibrium, or imbalance. These symptoms often occur in association with neck pain, stiffness, headaches, or a history of neck injury.

Cervicogenic dizziness is a form of dizziness believed to originate from dysfunction of the cervical spine. Patients commonly describe feeling unsteady, off-balance, or disoriented rather than experiencing the classic spinning sensation associated with vertigo.

Yes. Some individuals experience dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or motion sensitivity as part of a migraine disorder. Symptoms may occur with or without a headache.

Meclizine is commonly prescribed to help reduce nausea and motion-related symptoms associated with dizziness and vertigo. While it may help manage symptoms, it does not necessarily address the underlying cause.

If you are experiencing vertigo or dizziness, our office can help determine the cause of your symptoms and whether chiropractic treatment is an appropriate option.

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