It is not an uncommon occurrence for vertigo patients who find their way to our office to have experienced some type of injury to the head or neck in the past. Vertigo is a common complaint following a neck injury. It can come on soon after the incident or in some cases can arrive weeks or months afterward.
Post-concussion syndrome develops when common concussion symptoms fail to subside. In addition to vertigo, people may experience headaches, difficulty concentrating, problems with balance, nausea, and sensitivity to light. In order to begin the recovery process, it is necessary to address the underlying cause of these issues.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
The Spine/Nervous System Link
The brain, brainstem, and spinal cord are the communication network of the body. This system is so critical to our overall function that it is completely protected by bone – the brain sits inside the skull, and the vertebrae of your spine protect the brainstem and spinal cord. The atlas and axis vertebrae make up the upper cervical spine, which lies at the top of the neck. Your atlas bone bears the weight of your head and is responsible for the majority of its movement. If one of these bones becomes misaligned as a result of a head or neck injury, it can compromise the communication between the brain and body over this network of nerves.
Many people with vertigo have a history of some type of head or neck injury. The injury does not always have to be severe to cause a displacement of the atlas vertebra, it can be something as seemingly innocent as a fender bender or a slip on the sidewalk. A distortion of normal brain to body signaling can, in essence, confuse the brain into a false sense of movement, bringing on a vertigo attack. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a way to target atlas misalignments so that your body can begin to function optimally again. Once damaged tissues are given the time to heal after a gentle adjustment, vertigo symptoms can be reduced greatly or even eliminated entirely.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Hejny, call our Spring Lake Park office at 763-230-0116. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.