| Many people aren't aware of the relationship between | | | | disease is associated with an abnormal amount of fluid |
| upper cervical (neck) trauma and vertigo. With all that | | | | in the inner ear. This imbalance of fluids creates |
| modern science has accomplished, there are still more | | | | dizziness, as though a person is constantly spinning. It |
| unanswered questions than answered ones. This is | | | | may also cause persistent ringing in the ear and |
| also true in the case of vertigo research. It's been | | | | hearing loss. Episodes of vertigo are usually |
| difficult to pinpoint the exact reason(s) why certain | | | | intermittent, but can be very debilitating. Episodes may |
| people suffer vertigo. However, research is beginning | | | | last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. |
| to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying | | | | During an attack, a person may feel very sleepy. They |
| cause for many types of vertigo, including Meniere's | | | | may be unable to work, drive, walk normally, or even |
| disease, Disembarkment Syndrome, and Benign | | | | carry on with regular daily activity. |
| Position Vertigo. | | | | Another type of vertigo, Disembarkment Syndrome, |
| The upper cervical area of the spine refers to the two | | | | can strike a person after being on a boat or even an |
| vertebrae located at the top of the spine, directly | | | | airplane. While some dizziness may be normal after a |
| underneath the head. C1 (known as Atlas,) along with | | | | cruise or plane trip, this usually disappears within |
| C2 (known as Axis,) are chiefly responsible for the | | | | minutes or hours. In people with Disembarkment |
| rotation and flexibility of the head and neck. Like the | | | | Syndrome, the symptoms persist for months or years |
| rest of the vertebrae, they are extremely vulnerable to | | | | afterwards. Sufferers are left with the sensation that |
| injury and trauma. In some cases, patients may recall a | | | | they are constantly in motion: rocking, bouncing, and |
| specific trauma to the head or neck (such as a car | | | | weaving. This makes it difficult to walk and stand. Like |
| accident or a blow to the head.) In other cases, | | | | Meniere's disease, Disembarkment Syndrome affects |
| patients may not be able to point to a specific injury | | | | a person's ability to work, drive and carry on normal |
| after which vertigo became a problem. This is not | | | | activity. |
| unusual, since it may take months or years for vertigo | | | | Benign Positional Vertigo (BPV) is another common |
| to develop after head trauma. | | | | type of vertigo. In a normal ear, the semicircular canal |
| Because so many nerves transmit through the upper | | | | contains fluid which, when disturbed by movement of |
| cervical spine (to and from the brain,) trauma to this | | | | the head, send signals to the brain that the head is |
| area results in problems to other parts of the body. | | | | moving. When someone has positional vertigo (BPV), it |
| This is where the relationship between the upper | | | | is believed that small particles in the inner ear become |
| cervical area and vertigo becomes evident. If these | | | | dislodged. The result is a faulty signal being sent to the |
| vertebrae become displaced, even slightly, vertigo can | | | | brain, indicating that the head is moving when it is not. |
| occur. Unless the neck injury is addressed, the | | | | This causes episodes of dizziness or vertigo. |
| symptoms persist. | | | | When these conditions occur as the result of irritation |
| Chiropractic care involves correcting the position of | | | | to the neck vertebrae caused by trauma, chiropractic |
| these injured cervical vertebrae, particularly C1 and C2. | | | | care may be beneficial. Treatments are given to |
| Realigning these vertebrae may reduce or eliminate | | | | relieve the irritation by realigning the vertebrae back |
| many types of vertigo. | | | | into their proper positions. Once this occurs, the vertigo |
| There are several types of vertigo for which people | | | | may diminish or disappear entirely. |
| seek upper cervical chiropractic treatment. Meniere's | | | | |