Can Chiropractic Care Help with Vertigo or Dizziness?

We have watched grown men grip the sides of the food table like sailors caught in a sudden storm. Feeling dizzy can make the world look like it is spinning fast, even when everything is still. When someone comes to me with dizziness, we listen first. The problem can come from the inner ear or the neck, or sometimes the brain needs fast medical care.

When patients walk into our office, they often carry two fears. One, they fear that something inside them is broken beyond repair, and two, that no one will believe how agonizing it feels to live in a spinning world. We tell them both are untrue. Vertigo is the body’s way of saying that its balance has been interrupted. 

Some cases clear up in a single repositioning session; others require steady retraining of the neck and vestibular system. If you have felt ignored or told to live with the dizziness, stay with me, because in the next moment we will show the simple test we use that separates a treatable problem from something more serious. 

1) Chiropractor assessment for vertigo symptoms during the first visit

We start by listening. The single best test we have is the story someone brings, because history shapes everything, and focused questions often point me straight to the likely cause. 

We ask when the spinning began, how long an episode lasts, what movements trigger it, and whether there was a recent illness or head trauma. Brief, positional bursts usually suggest benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, while prolonged spinning after a viral illness leans toward vestibular neuritis. 

Next we confirm what the history suggests with simple bedside tests. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver remains the clinical standard for diagnosing posterior canal BPPV, and it often points directly to an effective repositioning treatment.

If neck pain or stiffness is part of the picture, we consider a cervicogenic component, which is a diagnosis of exclusion that requires careful correlation of neck findings with dizziness. 

Throughout, we screen for red flags, and when anything looks central or dangerous, we stop and bring medical colleagues in, because safety always comes first. 

2) How We pinpoint the true source of dizziness, inner ear or neck?

Once we learn the story, we check how the body is responding. We pay close attention to the eyes to look for nystagmus, which means tiny, involuntary eye movements. When something in the vestibular system is off, the eyes often move in a certain direction or rhythm. This helps me understand where the imbalance is coming from, almost like a map inside the brain.

When we think it might be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, we perform the Dix-Hallpike test. We guide someone from sitting to lying back quickly with their head turned, while we support them fully. If the crystals in the inner ear are out of place, the eyes show a specific pattern that confirms it.

If symptoms point to the lateral canal instead, we use the Supine Roll Test. We gently roll them side to side while watching the eyes closely. The way the nystagmus appears during these tests tells me if the dizziness comes from that part of the ear.

When someone has neck pain or trouble moving their neck, we take a closer look at how the cervical spine is working. We check the cervical range of motion to see which movements feel stiff or limited. We gently assess joint irritability, meaning whether certain spots in the neck feel tender or trigger dizziness when touched or moved. We also evaluate sensorimotor control, which describes how well the neck and brain communicate to keep balance steady.

The neck sends constant signals to the balance centers in the brain. If those signals become confused because the neck is not moving or functioning properly, dizziness can follow. This is known as cervicogenic dizziness.

We also watch for red flags that may point to a central cause in the brain. These include dizziness that does not change with position, called persistent nonpositioning vertigo; vertical nystagmus, where the eyes move up and down instead of side to side; or any new neurological signs like weakness, trouble speaking, or changes in vision. If we see anything like this, we stop right away and get a medical doctor involved immediately.

3) Chiropractic treatment for BPPV and inner ear vertigo

When the problem comes from the inner ear, the treatment is actually pretty simple, even if it sounds a little mechanical. Tiny crystals that normally live in the utricle have drifted into the semicircular canals, and that’s what makes the room spin. 

So, we use canalith repositioning maneuvers, usually the Epley and sometimes the Semont, to gently guide those crystals back where they belong. During the session, we move your head and body through a few specific positions while keeping you fully supported and safe, and many people feel the dizziness settle within minutes.

For some, relief is immediate; however, a few may need a second visit or a short set of follow-up exercises to calm any lingering imbalance. We teach simple home movements and safety tips to prevent falls, check progress at the next visit, and if needed, move into vestibular rehabilitation, which retrains balance and eye control with gradual exercises.

If the pattern seems unusual or repositioning doesn’t work after a couple tries, we work with ENT specialists on our team at Hess Spinal and Medical Centers to explore imaging or further testing.

4) How chiropractors treat cervical vertigo and neck-related dizziness?

When the neck is the likely culprit, our work shifts from inner ear mechanics to restoring reliable signals between the cervical spine and the brain. We begin with a gentle hands-on assessment, observing how neck movement affects balance and head position, and we explain each step so our patients feel involved and safe. Our goal is to calm the errant inputs from the neck and to restore the precise timing the nervous system needs to keep you steady.

• Gentle, slow movements and soft tissue techniques focused on the upper neck, formulated to calm irritation without making symptoms worse.
  

• Exercises that help your neck and eyes work together again, like simple head-eye coordination drills and controlled head movements while keeping your gaze steady.
  

• Short, progressive neck movements that safely bring back range of motion while preventing flare-ups.
  

• Easy standing exercises that gradually become more challenging, so your balance improves and confidence grows at the same time.

We monitor progress at each visit with clear checkpoints, so we know whether pain, dizziness, and function are improving. If someone has vascular risk factors or concerning symptoms, we avoid high-speed cervical techniques. 

5) Can chiropractic care provide a permanent solution for vertigo?

Short answer: it depends on the cause. Some forms of vertigo, like posterior canal BPPV, are often fixed quickly with a repositioning maneuver, and patients walk out feeling the room has stopped spinning. Other causes, such as vestibular migraine or chronic vestibular hypofunction, are less about a one-time cure and more about long-term control, reduction of episodes, and rebuilding confidence.

Our approach is practical and honest. We aim for three things:

• rapid relief when possible,
  

• a clear plan to reduce recurrence,
  

• and tools to manage flare-ups at home.

That means using the right intervention, for example, repositioning for BPPV, vestibular rehabilitation for balance retraining, and lifestyle or medication referrals when a medical cause needs attention. Recurrences can happen; however, having a plan shortens episodes and keeps them from taking over your life.

6) Can dehydration cause vertigo and how your chiropractor can help?

Yes, dehydration can trigger dizziness or a lightheaded feeling, and sometimes it even mimics vertigo. When your body is low on fluids, blood pressure can drop slightly, the inner ear can get less perfused, and your balance system struggles to stay accurate. Even mild dehydration can make the brain and inner ear “miscommunicate,” leaving you feeling off-kilter or unsteady.

Simple steps often help prevent these episodes:

• Stay hydrated throughout the day with water or electrolyte drinks.
  

• Monitor salt intake if recommended by your doctor, since extreme restriction can affect fluid balance.
  

• Rest during heat or exertion to avoid sudden drops in blood pressure.

While dehydration alone can cause dizziness, it sometimes combines with other issues, like inner ear or neck dysfunction. We judge hydration status alongside vestibular and cervical testing, because understanding the full picture ensures we address both triggers and root causes.

If dizziness or loss of balance has become part of your daily life, you do not have to accept it as permanent. We offer careful evaluation, collaborative chiropractic care, vestibular rehabilitation, and hands-on therapies. So, contact us and take the first step toward stable, symptom-free days.