Recent research reported in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in helping patients with dizziness. “Research is revealing that structural shifts in spinal alignment and the nerve obstruction they cause may be a factor in a number of disorders and can result in a host of health problems including dizziness because the body’s homeostatic mechanism is thrown off” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.  Other chiropractic researchers have reported on similar results in regard to vertigo, dizziness, and chiropractic. 

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McCoy added “If you damage or compress or otherwise interfere with the neurological structures in the spine this can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting the structural abnormalities associated with these spinal problems reduces the nerve obstructions and people experience improvement. In this study it was resolution of dizziness.” 

According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function. 

The patient reported on in the study was a 49-year-old female with upper neck pain and dizziness.  She had a previous fall on the head from being suspended about a meter in the air by an acroyoga apparatus.  Her neck pain has been constant since the fall with intermittent episodes of dizziness.   Her symptoms interfered with her ability to work long hours. 

The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her upper neck.  She had postural changes and tight muscles which limited her range of motion.  X-rays confirmed these findings.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following the first adjustment, she experienced complete resolution of the dizziness. By the 4th visit she had reached pre-injury status.  

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research
http://www.uppercervicalsubluxation.com
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com