Have you ever felt as though the room is spinning, the floor is moving beneath you, or you are suddenly losing your balance? You may be experiencing vertigo.

Vertigo is more than simply feeling dizzy. It is the sensation that you, or the world around you, is moving or spinning when it isn’t. It can be frightening and may affect your balance, confidence and everyday activities.

The good news is that many causes of vertigo can be successfully managed once the underlying cause has been identified. Read on to learn about the causes of vertigo, when to seek medical advice, and how our Christchurch-based osteopath team may be able to help, along with self-care tips you can try at home.

What Causes Vertigo?

Your balance depends on information from your inner ear, eyes, brain and musculoskeletal system working together. If these signals don’t agree, your brain can interpret the mismatch as movement or spinning.

BPPV: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. Tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear can become displaced and enter one of the semicircular canals.

This typically causes short episodes of spinning when you:

• Roll over in bed
• Sit up or lie down
• Look upwards
• Bend over
• Move your head quickly

Episodes are usually brief, often lasting less than a minute.

Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis

These conditions affect the vestibular system of the inner ear and can cause sudden, prolonged vertigo, nausea and imbalance. Labyrinthitis may also cause hearing loss or tinnitus.

Can Neck Pain Cause Dizziness?

Neck pain and dysfunction can sometimes contribute to dizziness or imbalance, but not all dizziness comes from the neck.

Other Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can also be associated with vestibular migraine, Ménière’s disease, medication effects and neurological conditions. Sometimes the exact cause isn’t immediately obvious.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice for Vertigo?

Vertigo should be medically assessed if it is:

• New
• Persistent
• Recurrent
• Interfering with your daily life

Seek urgent medical attention if vertigo occurs with symptoms such as new severe headache, double vision, difficulty speaking, facial or limb weakness, numbness, significant loss of coordination or sudden hearing loss. These symptoms can indicate a more serious condition.

How Can Osteopathy Help Vertigo?

What an Osteopath Assesses

Osteopathy for vertigo begins with understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms rather than assuming that every episode of dizziness comes from the neck.

An osteopath may assess the neck, upper back, jaw, posture, muscle tension, balance and movement patterns alongside taking a detailed history.

When Osteopathy May Help

An osteopath can help improve musculoskeletal mobility. This reduces excessive muscular tension and may help reduce contributing symptoms. This is especially helpful for those who experience dizziness alongside neck pain or stiffness.

When You May Need a Different Specialist

If your symptoms suggest an inner-ear disorder such as BPPV, you may need a specific positional assessment and appropriate repositioning maneuver. Depending on your presentation, your osteopath may also recommend assessment by your GP, vestibular physiotherapist, ENT specialist or another healthcare professional.

Can Osteopathy Cure Vertigo?

There isn’t one treatment that cures every type of vertigo. Osteopathy may help where musculoskeletal factors are contributing, but the treatment needs to match the underlying cause.

Vertigo Exercises and Self-Care Tips

Move safely and gradually

During an episode, sit or lie down somewhere safe. When getting out of bed, sit on the edge for a moment before standing. Move your head slowly until you know what triggers your symptoms.

Balance and Head-Movement Exercises

Once the acute symptoms have settled, appropriately prescribed balance, eye and head-movement exercises can help the nervous system adapt and improve stability. Vestibular rehabilitation is individually tailored because the right exercises depend on the underlying problem.

Don’t Avoid Movement Indefinitely

It is understandable to become afraid of movements that trigger dizziness. However, prolonged avoidance can contribute to reduced confidence and balance. A gradual return to normal movement, guided by an appropriate healthcare professional, can be beneficial.

Your Next Steps for Vertigo in Christchurch

If vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems are affecting your everyday life, our qualified team of osteopaths can help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate. If your symptoms are new, severe, or come with any of the warning signs listed above, seek medical advice first.

You’re welcome to visit our clinic in St Albans, Christchurch, and meet the team. You can book an osteopathy assessment online or call us on 021 880 522.