Common Myths about Chiropractic

Have you ever ridden a tilt-a-whirl?  Do you remember when you were a kid and you would spin yourself in circles until you fell down?  That dizzy feeling as a child was fun, but can be scary, and even dangerous, for adults.  Most dizzy spells are symptoms of other conditions and it can present itself in a multitude of ways.  Sometimes it feels like your body is spinning, while other times it’s the room that seems to be spinning out of control.

Symptoms of dizziness can include a lack of coordination while standing or walking, a sense of imbalance, fainting sensations and/or lightheadedness. Dr. Nygaard can get to the bottom of these conditions by determining the root cause of the problem.

What causes dizziness?

It is generally attributed to an inner ear problem, although  it could also signal issues within the central nervous system.  Other causes could include allergies, colds or flu, dehydration or stress. It is the most common complaint in people over 70 years old, and the third most complaint by the rest of the population

Could it be vertigo?

Vertigo is the feeling that you or your environment is moving where there actually is no movement. 

The following are types of vertigo and their symptoms:

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

The most common type, it is triggered by certain movements such as a sudden rotation or backward extension of the head.  It is usually caused by some type of blockage in the ear canal. Dr. Nygaard can correct this with exercise or a re-positioning of the head and neck.

• Meniere’s Syndrome 
  This condition appears to be the result of a higher than normal volume of fluid in the ear and can be accompanied by ringing of the ear or hearing loss. It can be helped with medication, injections and surgery. The most non-invasive method of correction involves chiropractic adjustments.
• Cervicogenic Vertigo
  Misalignment in the cervical spine (neck) where bones are slightly out of place can restrict movement. Spinal manipulation, where misaligned vertebrae are re-positioned, can be the greatest alleviator of cervicogenic vertigo.
• Other causes of vertigo could be an infection of the nerve in the inner ear, tumors and openings between the middle and inner ear. These may be rare, but any symptoms of vertigo should be evaluated by Dr. Nygaard.Dizziness and vertigo are nothing to take lightly. They can cause falls, or even traffic accidents if you happen to be in your vehicle during an episode. If you are currently experiencing sensations of spinning, lightheadedness or lack of balance, call Dr. Nygaard at Atlas Brain and Body for an appointment and a complete check-up.