Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness, often creating a sense of spinning or unsteadiness that can be both alarming and debilitating. This inner ear disorder occurs when tiny calcium crystals, known as otoconia, become dislodged and enter the fluid-filled semicircular canals of the inner ear, causing abnormal signals to the brain about balance and head movements. While medical treatments and maneuvers like the Epley maneuver are commonly used to address BPPV, many people turn to chiropractic care as a natural, non-invasive way to improve their condition. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what BPPV is, how it disrupts balance, and how chiropractic care can help alleviate symptoms by addressing vertebral subluxations—structural shifts in the spine that cause interference in the nervous system.

Understanding BPPV: What is It?

BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of dizziness or vertigo, typically triggered by changes in head position. Common actions that can set off vertigo include rolling over in bed, tilting your head back to look up, or moving your head quickly to one side. The spinning sensation can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but for some people, the aftereffects of dizziness, imbalance, and nausea can persist for hours.

BPPV is considered "benign" because it is not life-threatening, and it is "paroxysmal" because the symptoms come in sudden, intense bursts. The problem arises when otoconia (tiny crystals in the inner ear that help with balance) become dislodged from their usual place and move into the semicircular canals, where they interfere with the brain's interpretation of head movement.

While BPPV is primarily a disorder of the inner ear, the connection between the inner ear, the nervous system, and spinal alignment means that chiropractic care can be an effective option for managing symptoms. Chiropractic's role in addressing nerve interference through spinal adjustments opens up possibilities for people with BPPV to find relief naturally.

The Role of the Nervous System in BPPV

The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, including balance, spatial orientation, and movement. It does this through a network of nerves that carry signals between the brain, spinal cord, and sensory organs like the inner ear. When everything is functioning properly, the brain can process signals from the inner ear to maintain balance and control movement.

However, structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. These structural shifts, known as vertebral subluxations, can disrupt communication between the brain and body, contributing to issues like dizziness, vertigo, and poor balance. Vertebral subluxations create nerve interference that affects the ability of the nervous system to regulate balance signals effectively.

This is where chiropractic care can make a difference. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct these vertebral subluxations, restoring proper spinal alignment and reducing nerve interference. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic care improves nerve supply and function, enabling the body to better manage balance and recover from conditions like BPPV.

How Chiropractic Care Helps with BPPV

Chiropractic care addresses BPPV by focusing on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and balance mechanisms. The goal of chiropractic adjustments is not to directly treat the inner ear, but to remove the vertebral subluxations that may be contributing to nerve interference and balance issues. When nerve function is optimized, the body can more effectively respond to and correct problems like BPPV.

Here are a few ways chiropractic care can help manage BPPV:

1. Correcting Upper Cervical Misalignments: One of the key areas of focus for chiropractors in cases of BPPV is the upper cervical spine, particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae. These vertebrae are located at the top of the spine, just below the skull, and play a crucial role in the body’s balance and spatial orientation systems. Misalignments in this area can put pressure on the nerves that carry signals from the inner ear to the brain, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms. By adjusting the upper cervical spine, chiropractors help restore proper alignment, reduce nerve pressure, and improve the body's ability to regulate balance.

2. Restoring Nervous System Communication: As mentioned earlier, the nervous system controls the body’s balance by interpreting signals from the inner ear and other sensory organs. Vertebral subluxations create blockages in the spinal column that disrupt the flow of information between the brain and body. Chiropractic adjustments target these blockages, restoring proper communication along the nervous system. With improved nerve function, the body can better process balance-related signals, which can lead to a reduction in vertigo symptoms.

3. Supporting Overall Posture and Alignment: Poor posture and spinal misalignments can place additional strain on the nervous system, contributing to issues like dizziness and vertigo. Chiropractic care improves overall spinal health by correcting misalignments throughout the spine, not just in the cervical area. This holistic approach helps to relieve tension on the nervous system and promotes better posture, which can further reduce the likelihood of BPPV episodes.

Chiropractic is Focused on Healing the Body, Not Treating Symptoms

It’s important to understand that chiropractic care does not directly treat BPPV or its underlying causes. Instead, chiropractic focuses on locating and reducing vertebral subluxations, which interfere with nervous system function. By improving spinal alignment and reducing nerve interference, chiropractic care supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself and maintain balance.

Similarly, chiropractic care is not intended to treat conditions like fibromyalgia. However, many people with fibromyalgia find relief through chiropractic because it addresses vertebral subluxations, allowing the body to function more effectively. Chiropractic care enhances the body’s ability to heal by improving nervous system function, which can lead to a reduction in symptoms without directly targeting the condition itself.

What to Expect from Chiropractic Care for BPPV

If you are considering chiropractic care as part of your BPPV management plan, here’s what you can expect:

1. Thorough Evaluation: Your chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your health history and current symptoms to determine whether vertebral subluxations may be contributing to your vertigo. This may include a physical examination, posture assessment, and range of motion tests.

2. Customized Treatment Plan: Based on your evaluation, your chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan that may involve a series of spinal adjustments to address misalignments and reduce nerve interference.

3. Gentle, Targeted Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments are typically gentle and precise, especially when addressing the upper cervical spine. These adjustments aim to correct misalignments without causing discomfort, helping to restore balance and reduce symptoms of BPPV.

4. Lifestyle Recommendations: Your chiropractor may also provide guidance on exercises, stretches, and posture improvements to support spinal health and prevent future episodes of vertigo.

Conclusion: Chiropractic Care Offers a Natural Approach to BPPV

Chiropractic care provides a natural, non-invasive approach to managing BPPV by focusing on improving nervous system function through spinal adjustments. By correcting vertebral subluxations and reducing nerve interference, chiropractic helps the body restore balance and reduces the frequency and intensity of BPPV episodes. While chiropractic does not treat BPPV directly, it addresses the underlying factors that contribute to nervous system dysfunction, allowing the body to heal and maintain better control over balance.

If you are struggling with BPPV, consider exploring chiropractic care as part of your journey to recovery. With its focus on holistic healing and spinal health, chiropractic offers a safe and effective way to support your body’s natural ability to find balance and alleviate the troubling symptoms of vertigo.

Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
Website: [www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com]
Email: drmatthewmccoy@gmail.com
Phone: 404.247.2550