Dizziness
Dizziness can be both an annoying and puzzling symptom. Many disorders
can cause dizziness, from ear infections to disorders of circulation.
However, an often overlooked cause is joint misalignment or "dysfunction" in
the neck.
Dizziness that originates from the neck comes from nerve receptors
in the spinal joints called "proprioceptors." These nerve
endings sense the position of the spine and help the inner ear
coordinate overall posture and balance. Just as disturbance of
the inner ear from infection can cause dizziness, over stimulation
of the proprioceptive nerve endings in the neck from joint dysfunction
can cause the same symptoms.
In patients who had dizziness that came from the neck, researchers
had an approximate 80 percent success rate treating these patients
with spinal manipulation or adjustments. They concluded that joint
dysfunction
in the neck is a common cause of headache in the upper neck and
the back of the head, and that in some patients, this will be accompanied
by dizziness. They further concluded that spinal manipulation or
adjustments are an effective means of resolving these symptoms
in many patients.
Anyone who has had dizziness, particularly if it is accompanied
by pain in the upper neck and headache over the back of the skull,
should have a chiropractic evaluation for joint dysfunction in
the neck. The cause of these symptoms will be found in many cases,
and chiropractic treatment will bring relief to many sufferers.
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