Discover how chiropractic adjustments can reduce dizziness, restore balance, and help you overcome vertigo—naturally.
If you’ve ever felt like the room was spinning or found yourself suddenly unsteady on your feet, you’re not alone. Vertigo affects millions of people, and women experience it more often than men. The good news? With the right approach, including chiropractic care for vertigo, most people can find lasting relief and restore their balance naturally.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when they’re not. It’s not just “dizziness,” it’s a symptom of a disturbance in your vestibular system, the part of your inner ear and brain that controls balance and spatial awareness.
Common symptoms include:
- A spinning or tilting sensation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unsteady gait or balance issues
- Head pressure or ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision or headaches
The Main Types of Vertigo
Understanding the different types of vertigo can help your chiropractor determine the best chiropractic care for vertigo based on the root cause.
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
This is the most common cause of vertigo. It happens when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong canal. Episodes are often brief but intense, triggered by simple head movements like rolling over in bed or looking up.
2. Ménière’s Disease
Linked to a fluid imbalance in the inner ear, Ménière’s disease can cause vertigo spells lasting hours, along with hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.
3. Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
These are viral infections that cause inflammation of the inner ear or vestibular nerve. Vertigo tends to come on suddenly and can last for days before gradually improving.
4. Vestibular Migraine
More common in women, especially during hormonal changes, vestibular migraines cause dizziness, motion sensitivity, and disorientation with or without a headache.
5. Central Vertigo
This type stems from the brain itself, conditions like multiple sclerosis or stroke can disrupt the areas that coordinate balance.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Many people who visit our chiropractic clinic in Orléans-Ottawa report vertigo symptoms linked to hormonal changes, stress, or postural issues.
Vertigo can affect anyone, but you’re more likely to experience it if you:
- Are female, particularly during perimenopause or menopause
- Have a history of migraines
- Have low vitamin D levels or osteoporosis
- Have experienced a head or neck injury
- Live with chronic stress or anxiety
How Long Does Vertigo Last?
- BPPV: Often resolves within days or weeks, especially with repositioning maneuvers
- Vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis: May last several days but gradually improves
- Ménière’s and migraines: Recurrent episodes can occur over time
Most patients improve significantly once the cause is identified and addressed.
Natural Vertigo Remedies and Home Support Tips
These natural remedies can support your recovery alongside chiropractic treatment for vertigo and improve long-term balance.
- Repositioning maneuvers (like the Epley maneuver) to correct BPPV
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises to retrain your balance system
- Hydration and a low-sodium diet to reduce inner ear pressure
- Vitamin D support if levels are low
- Stress management through breathwork, movement, or mindfulness
How Chiropractic Care Fits In
How Chiropractic Care for Vertigo Helps Restore Balance
At Santé Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Orléans, Ottawa, we often see patients who experience vertigo along with neck tension or upper cervical misalignments. Here’s how chiropractic care can help:
- Improving Neck and Nervous System Function
The upper cervical spine (neck area) is closely connected to the vestibular system. Misalignments can interfere with nerve communication between the brain and the inner ear. According to the Ontario Chiropractic Association¹, chiropractic care focuses on the spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system to support overall function. If you’d like to learn more, check out our blog Can You Spot the Signs of an Unhealthy Spine?. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore this balance. - Supporting Posture and Blood Flow
Poor posture and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders can affect blood flow to the brain and inner ear. Adjustments and soft tissue work can relieve pressure and improve circulation. - Enhancing Balance and Body Awareness
By restoring proper spinal alignment and nervous system function, chiropractic care helps your body better interpret signals from the eyes, ears, and joints, which can help in reducing dizziness and improving stability.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
The duration of vertigo often depends on its cause and how soon you seek care. Many people notice faster improvement when they combine vertigo exercises with chiropractic care.
Every case is different. Some patients notice improvement after just a few chiropractic adjustments for vertigo, especially if BPPV or neck tension is a factor. Others, particularly those with chronic or migraine-related vertigo, may need several weeks of care combined with lifestyle changes.
Find Vertigo Relief
If vertigo is keeping you from living fully, know that you don’t have to just ‘wait it out.’ At Santé Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Orléans-Ottawa, our team provides chiropractic care for vertigo and can assess your spine, posture and nervous system to help you regain your balance, naturally and drug-free.
📍 Visit us in Orléans-Ontario, or schedule your consultation online.
References:
¹ Ontario Chiropractic Association. What is Chiropractic Care? Available at: https://chiropractic.on.ca/chiropractic-care/about-chiropractic-care/what-is-chiropractic-care/