Vertigo is a common symptom in chiropractic patients, particularly following head and neck trauma. Vertigo and dizziness can be highly disabling. It is a feeling of dizziness or spinning that is sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

It can have a variety of causes, and it is usually treatable. However, the cause determines the treatment used. That is why the chiropractor must conduct a thorough examination when you first come in for treatment.

In some cases, you may be referred to a neurologist for further evaluation. The good news is that most patients respond well to conservative treatment.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), also known as Benign Vertigo or Positional Vertigo, is one of the most common causes of vertigo and dizziness.

BPPV causes approximately 20% of all cases of dizziness and about 50% of all dizziness in elderly patients. Acute vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis are two other common causes.

Other, more severe causes of vertigo include stroke, tumours, and neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. These conditions present other symptoms usually detected during chiropractic and neurological examinations.

Vertigo with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a common condition frequently undiagnosed and is treated symptomatically with drugs such as Stemetil and Compazine (prochlorperazine). However, this sedative can make you feel exhausted (you should not operate machinery or drive if you take this drug), and it can have many other side effects.

Correct diagnosis and treatment can help you quickly eliminate this disabling condition.

BPPV is an inner ear disorder that causes brief, severe episodes of vertigo that make the room spin.

While it can occur in children, the older you get, BPPV causes the more likely your dizziness. For example, BPPV causes approximately half of all dizziness in elderly patients.

What are the origins of BPPV?

This inner ear condition is frequently caused by:

• A brain injury
• A bad cold or virus
• Because of the ageing process
• Minor blows
• Using ototoxic medications such as gentamicin
• Head trauma and whiplash are the most common causes in people under 50.

The most common cause of BPPV in older people is degeneration of the inner ear’s vestibular system, and BPPV becomes much more familiar with age.

BPPV is classified as “idiopathic” in half of all cases, which means it occurs for no known reason.

BPPV diagnosis

Chiropractors can diagnose this condition after a thorough case history and physical and neurological examination.

Specific tests, such as the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre/test, distinguish peripheral from central vertigo.

BPPV treatment

Certain repositioning manoeuvres are used to treat the condition.

The Epley or Semont Manoeuvre, a simple and well-tolerated technique that cures BPPV in most patients, is performed by chiropractors at ISIS Chiropractic Centres.

The chiropractor will move you into specific positions based on what was discovered during the assessment, using gravity to move the calcium carbonate crystals away from the inner ear and into an area where they will cause no further symptoms.

This is followed by Vestibular rehabilitation exercises performed at home.

The treatment is very effective; after three to four treatments, 80 percent of patients are symptom-free.

The symptoms may reoccur, and research indicates a relatively low recurrence rate of about 15% per year.

If you have dizziness, chiropractic treatment may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but the manoeuvres and treatment are the same as if you went to a medical clinician who specialises in these conditions.

According to the BBC, we see an increasing number of cases of dizziness as chiropractors, which is not surprising given the NHS’s shortage of doctors who can diagnose and treat these conditions.

According to the BBC, waiting times can be as long as a year before being seen, let alone treated.

Chiropractic is not appropriate for all types of dizziness, but if we cannot assist you, we will refer you to your primary care physician.