If you have ever felt dizzy, off-balance, or completely unable to hold yourself upright, then you know just how harrowing that feeling can be. It is almost as if your entire sense of reality is being warped, a deeply uncomfortable sensation. Unfortunately, vertigo sufferers experience this common occurrence. While it is not a life-threatening condition by nature, it is definitely scary and debilitating and can have a massively negative impact on one’s quality of life.
Vertigo is a condition that can come from the inner ears, the neck, or both; when compromised, it can cause a person to be unable to regulate balance properly. This results in feelings of dizziness, unsteadiness, faintness, and possibly blurred vision. Other common symptoms of vertigo include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and ringing in the ears, just to name a few. There are special tubes in the inner ear called semicircular canals, and each tube has tiny hair cells that track our position at all times. These are all part of the vestibular system, which coordinates this information with the brain to keep our balance and center of gravity under normal conditions. When the inner ear becomes dysfunctional, it can throw off your balance and leave you unsteady and dizzy. The vestibular nerve also helps regulate balance, and if it gets pinched in the upper neck, it can cause vertigo-like symptoms — this type of vertigo is called cervicogenic vertigo.
There are many medications and other medical treatments used to treat vertigo. Dramamine, a commonly used medication for seasickness, is one example. It helps reduce symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and makes people feel better. Generally speaking, though, this addresses the symptoms of vertigo, not the actual cause. Treatments such as Epley’s maneuver and chiropractic care are two examples of natural care that can help address the root cause of the problem and lay the foundation for more sustained healing. This can help a person achieve a fuller recovery, rather than just masking the uncomfortable symptoms. At Balanced Living Chiropractic, we have helped many people improve their quality of life and get back to doing the things they love.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. I Feel Heard & Not Crazy
Many patients tell us this is the first time they’ve felt truly listened to. During your consultation and exam, we slow things down, ask the right questions, and create space for your full story—without rushing, dismissing, or minimizing your experience.
2. You Did More Than The Last 10 Doctors Combined
It’s because we slow down and look deeper. Every exam and X-ray is intentional, detailed, and designed to uncover the root cause—not just manage symptoms.
3. Wow, It Is Already Working
We use X-rays before and after treatment to measure real change. By comparing them, patients can see how their spine responds, helping to build confidence in the adjustments and in the body’s natural ability to heal.
4. I Finally Feel Normal Again
After struggling with chronic pain, headaches, or nerve issues, many patients tell us, “I finally feel normal again.” Our precise adjustments and thorough care help restore balance to the spine and nervous system, allowing the body to function the way it was meant to.
How We Treat Vertigo In Rochester Hills, MI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
As a new patient at Balanced Living Chiropractic, our doctors will first get to know you and learn about your problems. This helps them understand where you are coming from and the impact vertigo has had on your life. Our doctors will ask detailed questions about the problem’s history to gather as much information as possible. The clearer their picture of the situation, the more accurately they can diagnose the problem, which then dictates the treatment recommendations.
After the consultation, orthopedic, neurologic, and postural exams are performed to assess the functional state of the spine and its role in the person’s symptoms. By taking the time to get to know their patients and properly evaluate them, our doctors can better understand each case and put you on the correct path to treatment.
Specific 3-D Digital X-Rays in Rochester Hills, MI
This is the most important step in our office to determine how to address and adjust your neck to relieve your vertigo symptoms. We take three specific views to form a 3-D image of your neck, and we measure down to the thickness of a fingernail to pinpoint the problem. By looking at this closely, we’re able to adjust you with no popping, twisting, or cracking. Most of our patients say they can barely feel the adjustment happen, but can start to feel changes instantly!
Specific Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills, MI
Chiropractic care is central to our treatment for vertigo. When a spinal bone or section of the spine becomes misaligned, it creates stress on the nerves and spinal cord in that area. This affects how those nerves communicate with the brain. Over time, if misalignments are left uncorrected, a person will eventually begin to experience symptoms.
When it comes to vertigo, there are typically issues in the upper cervical spine (neck). The nerves from the C1 level travel to places such as the middle and inner ear and deliver messages from the brain that help them function. If there is a misalignment that disrupts that communication, it can cause dysfunction in the middle and inner ear, along with issues like vertigo or more frequent ear infections. Addressing this misalignment helps restore function to these areas, allowing symptoms to resolve.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
FSM is an exciting new treatment for nerve pain, muscle pain, and many other conditions, using specific frequencies and micro-amperage current. FSM also uses the resonance effects of frequencies on tissues and conditions to create beneficial changes to symptoms and health.
Microcurrent is current measured in millionths of an ampere (amp). Micro-amperage current is the same kind of current your body produces on its own within each cell. The current is very small — there is not enough current to stimulate sensory nerves, so the current flow cannot be felt. FSM is a very effective tool for calming nerves and helping them regulate correctly, helping to address vertigo-type issues and the underlying problem.
Epley’s Maneuver
In vertigo, displacement of the tiny crystals in the inner ear is a major cause of balance disturbances. To help restore one’s sense of balance and positioning, those crystals need to be returned to their correct positions. One of the best natural ways to correct this is Epley’s maneuver. This technique involves moving the head through a series of deliberate positions. These movements are specific and designed to guide the crystals back to their rightful place. When done properly, relief from vertigo can be instant.
If you are not able to get to the office due to severe vertigo symptoms, however, it is a technique that can be learned and done yourself from the comfort of your own home. In a bind, this can provide some relief until you can get to the office for further evaluation and treatment. Overall, Epley’s maneuver is one of the most recognized ways to treat vertigo at its source effectively.
Therapeutic Exercise
We take a cautious approach when incorporating exercise into any vertigo treatment plan. Exercise is the best way to help improve postural and muscular imbalances that can cause spine dysfunction, even in the upper neck, where dysfunction can lead to vertigo. We are mindful, however, that people with vertigo are in vulnerable positions where sudden head movements could trigger dizziness. Gentle postural exercises that don’t require much rotation are preferred so the head can stay as still as possible.
One exercise used to help with vertigo is the Brandt-Daroff habituation exercise. This exercise involves sitting on the edge of the treatment table or bed, turning your head 45 degrees in one direction, and quickly lying on the opposite side. Going through these repetitions helps stabilize the positioning of the crystals in the inner ear and bring longer relief from symptoms.
Common Causes of Vertigo in Rochester Hills, MI
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, BPPV for short, is a common cause of vertigo, where you feel like your head is spinning. The crystals in your inner ear that help regulate balance, known as otoliths, get dislodged from their usual position. This disrupts your sense of equilibrium and is deeply uncomfortable. It can cause vertigo ranging from mild to extremely severe. Dizziness is usually caused by nystagmus, a rapid back-and-forth movement of the eyes. This happens when the eyes are trying to re-establish equilibrium and are constantly moving to do so. The best way to treat BPPV is to perform the Epley maneuver, which can help reposition the crystals to their proper place and restore balance.
Labyrinthitis
The labyrinth is the inner part of the ear that contains the centers for both hearing and balance. If you have an infection, such as a cold, it can sometimes travel to the inner ear and cause inflammation of the labyrinth, resulting in a condition known as labyrinthitis. When this happens, the vestibular branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve may also become inflamed, leading to vertigo. Thankfully, labyrinthitis is a self-limiting condition that usually resolves on its own in a few days. On occasion, people take medications to help ease vertigo symptoms until the labyrinthitis clears.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that commonly causes vertigo. It can be the result of an infection, but also from genetic factors or even trauma such as a concussion. While vertigo is a common symptom of Meniere’s disease, it is often identified by other symptoms — such as hearing loss, a feeling of “fullness” in the ear, and ringing in the ear. It typically affects only one side and can be chronic. Overall, it is a condition that has the potential to reduce quality of life because it can affect people over a longer period.
Concussions
Another common cause of vertigo is concussions, which are a mild type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a concussion, there is impact to the head where the brain smashes into the inner part of the skull, causing inflammation and bruising. This can affect balance on its own, but during impact, otoliths can also become dislodged, causing vertigo symptoms. Concussions can be frustrating for some because they can sometimes take long periods to heal fully, sometimes several months or longer. Treatments like Epley’s maneuver can help address vertigo that results from a concussion.
Check Out Our Location Near You
441 S Livernois Rd #205, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Frequently Asked Questions
Can going to a chiropractor in Rochester Hills, MI help with vertigo?
Yes, the chiropractors at Balanced Living Chiropractic have helped many people with vertigo find relief or complete resolution. By utilizing treatments such as chiropractic care and Epley’s maneuver, they have helped address the root cause of people’s vertigo and help get them back to living life the way they want to and doing the things they want to do.
How do you get rid of vertigo fast?
If vertigo is caused by dislodged crystals in the inner ear, then Epley’s maneuver is a great way to get quick relief from vertigo. By moving the head into specific positions, the crystals can be restored to their correct positions and provide nearly instant relief for individuals suffering from vertigo. It may take additional treatment to resolve the issue fully, but it is a great way to get quick relief when someone is feeling really dizzy.
Can a chiropractor in Rochester Hills, MI help with inner ear problems?
Yes, the chiropractors at Balanced Living Chiropractic can help with various inner-ear problems, such as ear infections and vertigo. The balance centers in the inner ear can be thrown off for various reasons, and our doctors have the skills to help address these issues and restore normal function. They can also help restore function to the Eustachian tube, which sometimes doesn’t drain properly and can lead to ear infections.
Can spine problems cause vertigo?
A misalignment in the upper neck can contribute to vertigo. Branches of the C1 nerve root supply the inner ear, and if this nerve doesn’t function well, it can cause the balance centers in the inner ear to malfunction, which can lead to vertigo.
What triggers vertigo attacks?
Sudden head movements, whether intentional or not, have the potential to cause otoliths in the inner ear to be displaced. This can result in vertigo and cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Infections can also cause vertigo, Meniere’s disease, or concussions.
