Vertigo: Understanding, Treating, and Regaining Balance

"Feeling Dizzy or Off-Balance? Let’s Help Your World Stop Spinning!"

Vertigo isn’t just “feeling dizzy.” It’s a sensation of spinning or movement when you’re standing still, often caused by disturbances in the inner ear, brain, or nervous system. Understanding which structures are involved, why vertigo happens, and how to restore balance and stability is key to feeling confident on your feet again.

What Vertigo Really Is

Vertigo is caused by miscommunication between the brain, inner ear, and body’s balance sensors.

Bones:

• Temporal bone (houses inner ear)

• Cervical vertebrae (C1–C7)

• Occiput (base of skull)

Muscles & Tendons:

• Deep cervical muscles (longus colli, multifidus) – stabilize neck and head

• Suboccipital muscles – fine-tune head movements

• Upper trapezius & levator scapulae – support head posture

• Eye muscles (extraocular) – coordinate visual input for balance

Ligaments:

• Alar and transverse ligaments – stabilize upper cervical spine

• Cervical interspinous ligaments

Neurological Implications:

• Vestibular nerve (inner ear) communicates head position to the brain.

• Misalignment in the upper cervical spine or tension in neck muscles can disturb these signals, leading to dizziness, nausea, or imbalance.

• Stress and nervous system overload can heighten sensitivity to stimuli, making symptoms feel worse.

How Vertigo Happens

Common weak or imbalanced muscles:

• Deep neck flexors and suboccipital muscles

• Scapular stabilizers (rhomboids, lower traps)

• Postural muscles along the spine

Top 10 common causes/injuries:

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – inner ear crystals displaced

2. Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis – viral inflammation

3. Cervicogenic vertigo – neck misalignment or muscle tension

4. Whiplash injuries

5. Migraine-associated vertigo

6. Poor posture (forward head, slouched shoulders)

7. Spinal degenerative changes (cervical discs or joints)

8. Trauma to head or neck

9. Ear infections or fluid buildup

10. Stress or anxiety increasing vestibular sensitivity

Vertigo is often the result of conflicting signals from the inner ear, eyes, and cervical spine, amplified by nervous system stress.

Symptoms to Watch For

• Spinning sensation even when still

• Nausea or vomiting

• Unsteady gait or imbalance

• Headaches or neck tension

• Sensitivity to movement or sudden head turns

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care targets upper cervical alignment, postural stability, and nervous system communication:

• Cervical adjustments – restore proper joint alignment, improving vestibular input

• Soft tissue therapy – release suboccipital, trapezius, and neck muscles

• Vestibular rehabilitation exercises – train balance and coordination

• Posture and ergonomic coaching – reduce neck tension and nerve strain

• Nerve glide and eye coordination exercises – improve sensory integration

By addressing both structural and neurological contributors, chiropractic care helps reduce dizziness, improve balance, and restore confidence.

Rehabilitation Program for Vertigo

1. Mobility Exercises

• Neck rotations & chin tucks: Gently rotate head side to side, 10 reps each

• Suboccipital stretches: Tilt head back and side, 20–30 sec each

• Shoulder blade squeezes: 10 reps to support posture

2. Stability & Strengthening

• Balance exercises: Stand on one leg, progress to foam pad, 30 sec each side

• Core stability: Planks, side planks, and dead bugs, 20–40 sec

• Eye-head coordination drills: Follow finger movements with eyes while keeping head still, 10 reps

3. Adjunct Recovery Tools

• Ice or heat for tense neck muscles

• Gentle massage to suboccipital and cervical muscles

• Stress management techniques to reduce nervous system overload

4. Lifestyle & Trigger Management

• Avoid rapid head movements

• Maintain upright posture while sitting and standing

• Take frequent breaks from prolonged computer work

• Stay hydrated and manage stress

Red Flags – Seek Immediate Care

• Sudden severe vertigo with neurological symptoms (slurred speech, facial droop)

• Loss of coordination or weakness

• Severe headaches with nausea

• Symptoms following head trauma

Key Takeaways

• Vertigo involves inner ear, cervical spine, muscles, and the nervous system.

• Weak stabilizers, trauma, poor posture, or inner ear issues can worsen symptoms.

• Chiropractic care restores spinal alignment, improves vestibular input, and strengthens supporting muscles.

• Mobility, stability, adjunct therapies, and lifestyle changes are essential for recovery and balance.