Have you ever experienced a sudden spinning, tilting, or swaying sensation even though you were perfectly fine moments earlier? Sometimes, this sensation is followed by headaches, sweating, vomiting, and hearing loss. This abrupt loss of balance is called vertigo.
Although dizziness and vertigo aren’t particularly life-threatening, they can lower your quality of life. You might find it hard to work and perform daily tasks, and even relaxing becomes a chore.
This condition has several causes. One of the most common types of vertigo is known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It’s a problem originating in your inner ear. When you move, small calcium “stones” inside your ear shift around. These stones help you maintain balance. However, the stones can sometimes travel to an area called the semicircular canal. When that happens, it can trigger sensitive sensors, resulting in bouts of dizziness and vertigo.
Our LifeClinic chiropractors and physical therapists can help with BPPV by using head movement exercises and repositioning maneuvers to move the stones back to their proper place. Before any realignment is conducted, we first assess your condition. This is done to identify which location is causing the spells. After the assessment, we then create a treatment plan that suits your unique needs.
At LifeClinic, we don’t just treat the symptoms but focus on treating the root of the problem. Our physical therapy, chiropractic procedures, and rehabilitation services are geared towards restoring, maintaining, and optimizing your well-being.
Treat Dizziness & Vertigo with Chiropractic Care & Physical Therapy
Our chiropractor and physical therapists will use several techniques to alleviate your dizziness and vertigo. These include:
- Dix-Hallpike Test
- Epley Maneuver
- Brandt-Daroff exercises
Using the Dix-Hallpike Test to Identify the Main Cause of Dizziness and Vertigo
- First, our chiropractor will have you sit on the bed and tilt your head to one side at a 45-degree angle.
- Then, you will be laid smoothly on the bed with your head slightly hanging on the edge.
- You will be asked to open your eyes while the chiropractor monitors you for 30 seconds.
- If you experienced vertigo, rotary nystagmus or horizontal nystagmus will be observed. The former indicates the cause is in the superior semicircular canal, while the latter signals the lateral semicircular canal is involved.
- If no dizziness or vertigo is produced by the maneuver, the test will be performed on the other side.
How the Epley Maneuver Can Help with Dizziness and Vertigo
- The maneuver starts with you sitting on the bed and the chiropractor turning your head to the side at a 45-degree angle.
- You will be asked to relax your neck muscles as the chiropractor gently lay you down with your head hanging on the side maintaining that 45-degree angle.
- After 30 seconds to a minute of observing for nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movement), the chiropractor will turn your head to the contralateral side. Again, the same time is allocated for observation of nystagmus occurrence.
- Then, with the 45-angle maintained, you will be asked to roll on your shoulder.
- Afterward, you’ll be seated upright while still maintaining your head’s position. Observation for 30 seconds will be conducted. At this point, dizziness and vertigo should have been reduced or has completely disappeared.
- Most of the time, the chiropractor will have you wear a soft collar to maintain the neck’s position for about 48 hours. This is done to ensure the stones in your ear returns to their appropriate position.
Performing the Brandt-Daroff Exercise on Your Own to Alleviate Dizziness and Vertigo
Note: This maneuver will be first performed by the chiropractor on you. However, you’ll be instructed to do this maneuver on your own should the dizziness and vertigo reappears.
- While sitting down, lie down on one side then bring your head to a 45-degree angle.
- Maintain the position for 30 seconds even if dizziness and vertigo occur. After a while, it should subside.
- After 30 seconds, repeat the same procedure on the contralateral side.
- The Brandt-Daroff exercise should be performed five times on each side. That’s 10 in total. You will also be instructed to perform it at least twice a day.
