Most people are familiar with what vertigo or a dizzy spell is. Some may have even had one themselves that only lasted a few seconds and never returned. It gets dismissed and never thought about again. It may be surprising to learn that some people live with vertigo on a daily basis. Vertigo is not simply feeling lightheaded. It is the feeling that the person or the things around him are spinning. It can be quite debilitating and scary to experience. These episodes can last for a few seconds or can continue for days at a time.
Understanding Vertigo
Let’s take a deeper look at how the body keeps in balance without the interference of vertigo. There are three systems in the body that have the job of sending sensory information to the brain so that it can know where it is located in a particular environment. These are a person’s:
- Vestibular system, including the inner ear
- Vision
- Proprioception – sensors in the spine, body, and feet that respond to touch
When any of these systems receive signals, they are sent to the brainstem. The brainstem is the part of the brain that connects with the spinal cord. It is protected by the top two bones of the neck – the C1 or atlas and the C2 or axis vertebra. If something occurs that interferes with these signals, the brain can become misinformed about where the body is actually located in its environment, leading to vertigo. Is there anything a person can do to cope with vertigo?
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book How to Naturally Relieve Vertigo without Drugs by clicking the image below.
Vertigo and a Healthy Spine
It is vital for someone experiencing vertigo to see a specialist in the upper neck region who understands how the body and brain work together. An atlas orthogonal doctor can work to ensure that the brainstem is working at its optimum by ensuring the C1 and C2 are in proper alignment. Although their job is to protect the brainstem, if they are misaligned, by even ¼ of a millimeter, they can hinder the signals being sent to and from the brain and body. By gently correcting this misalignment, the body can be helped to communicate properly once again, and vertigo often becomes a thing of the past!
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Laurel Griffin call 515-224-1093 or go to http://info.precisionchirowest.com/west-des-moines-chiropractor-consultation/