Dizziness and Vertigo in Colorado Springs CO

The three systems include The ocular system (vision), the proprioceptive system (specialized tissues in joints, skin, and muscle,) and what is commonly referred to as the vestibular system (the inner ear). If even one part of this symphony is out of tune, the brain will not receive the proper information to create a sensation of balance and coordination naturally.
If you have been experiencing frequent bouts of vertigo in Colorado Springs, your medical doctor will usually make a referral to a specialist that tends to look at the dysfunction in the inner ear as the cause, often putting most patients in the “BPPV diagnostic cookie box”. For most people suffering from long-term and chronic vertigo a traditional medical examination only looks at two of the three systems – the inner ear and the visual system. For many, these tests, unfortunately, come back negative leaving doctors & patients frustrated and without appropriate solutions.

Our new understanding of long-term vertigo or bouts of dizziness relates to the third and often overlooked portion of the vestibular system. This system can broadly be termed the proprioceptive system – which is made up of special receptors in the muscles, joints, and skin that create a sense of body awareness, coordination, and position. The most abundantly rich (and misdiagnosed) part of the proprioceptive system relating to various forms of dizziness involves a specialized bundle of nerves in your upper neck called the vestibular nuclei.

These nuclei serve as one of the main communication points between the proprioceptive system, visual system, inner ear, and your brain. If these nuclei are not in proper communication with the brain, consistent misfiring of information will occur causing a sensory mismatch between the brain and body. When the brain does not perceive the body optimally, it may feel threatened and go into a protective state – this protective state created in the brain may cause:

• Sub occipital contracture – a series of receptor-dense muscles at the base of your skull become hypertonic (tight/imbalanced)
• Misalignment of the top bone in the spine (C1/Atlas) relative to the hole in the base of the skull
• Dysfunctional tissues (nerves, arteries, and veins) surrounding these muscles due to misalignment
• Blockage of blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation through those veins and arteries responsibly for clearing waste from the brain and supplying nutrients and oxygen.

These vestibular nuclei are often the culprit for many of these cases of vertigo that do not reveal positive findings in traditional examinations that evaluate the visual and inner ear systems. Addressing an injury or long-term problem in the upper neck can be the effective solution missing when it comes to vertigo.

Can Foundational Correction Give Vertigo Relief?

Balance Chiropractic in Colorado Springs CO often receives referrals from general practitioners and physical therapists for patients who have tried the traditional approach to vertigo to no avail. Our unique form of Foundational Chiropractic is aimed at restoring the brain-body connection by correcting and balancing the structures of the upper neck. When structures in the upper neck shift, it can cause a dysfunction of fluid dynamics and neurological impulses to and from the brain causing secondary conditions like vertigo. Our approach includes a series of objective testing to qualify each patient as an appropriate candidate for Foundational Correction and to track measurable progress throughout your phase of correction.

Experience the foundational difference by scheduling a complimentary consultation today and Check out this quick video talking about the upper neck and how it relates to vertigo and dizziness!