Why Am I Feeling Dizzy?
Dizziness is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms people experience. It can feel like lightheadedness, spinning (vertigo), unsteadiness, or a sense that your surroundings are moving.
Because dizziness can come from many different systems in the body, it’s important not to ignore it. Instead, it should be understood and properly assessed.
At Santé Chiropractic, we often see patients with dizziness that may be linked to how the spine, nervous system, and sensory systems are functioning together.
What Is Dizziness, Really?
“Dizziness” is a broad term that may include:
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Lightheadedness
- Imbalance or unsteadiness
- Floating or disconnected feeling
Different causes tend to produce different types of dizziness, which is why identifying the source is key.
Common Causes of Dizziness
Dizziness can originate from several systems in the body, including the inner ear, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system.
1. Inner Ear (Vestibular System) Disorders
The inner ear plays a major role in balance.
Common conditions include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuritis
- Meniere’s disease
These conditions often cause spinning sensations triggered by head movement.
BPPV, for example, is caused by small crystals in the inner ear becoming displaced and affecting balance signals (1).
2. Cervicogenic Dizziness (Neck-Related)
The neck contains important sensors (proprioceptors) that help your brain understand where your head is in space.
If the joints or muscles in the neck are not functioning properly, this information can become distorted, leading to dizziness.
This is often referred to as cervicogenic dizziness.
Symptoms may include:
- Dizziness associated with neck pain or stiffness
- Symptoms triggered by neck movement or posture
- A sense of imbalance rather than spinning
Research suggests that altered input from the cervical spine may contribute to dizziness in some individuals (2,3).
3. Blood Pressure and Circulatory Factors
Changes in blood pressure, especially when standing up quickly, can cause dizziness.
This is known as orthostatic hypotension.
Other cardiovascular causes may include:
- Reduced blood flow to the brain
- Heart rhythm irregularities
These causes require medical evaluation.
4. Neurological Causes
Dizziness can sometimes be linked to the brain or nervous system, including:
- Migraines (vestibular migraines)
- Concussions
- Neurological conditions
In these cases, dizziness may be accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, or coordination issues.
5. Muscle Tension and Postural Stress
Prolonged sitting, poor posture, and muscle tension, especially in the neck and upper back, may contribute to dizziness.
Forward head posture (often called “text neck”) can alter how sensory information is processed between the neck and brain (2).
Over time, this may contribute to symptoms of imbalance or lightheadedness.
6. Stress and Lifestyle Factors
Stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition can all influence how your body regulates balance.
These factors may not be the sole cause, but they can amplify symptoms.
When Dizziness May Signal Something More Serious
While many causes of dizziness are benign, some symptoms require prompt medical attention.
Seek care if dizziness is associated with:
- Sudden severe headache
- Difficulty speaking or walking
- Double vision
- Chest pain
- Fainting
These may indicate more serious conditions and should be evaluated immediately.
How Chiropractic Can Help with Dizziness
Chiropractic care does not address every cause of dizziness, but it may help in cases where the spine, joints, and nervous system contribute.
1. Improving Neck (Cervical Spine) Function
Restricted or dysfunctional joints in the neck may alter sensory input to the brain.
Chiropractic adjustments aim to:
- Improve joint mobility
- Reduce mechanical stress
- Support better communication between the neck and brain
This may help reduce symptoms in cases of cervicogenic dizziness (2,4).
2. Enhancing Proprioception (Body Awareness)
Your brain relies on input from the eyes, inner ear, and joints to maintain balance.
If cervical joint input is altered, it can create a mismatch between these systems, leading to symptoms like dizziness or unsteadiness.
Research in chiropractic neuroscience, including work by Dr. Heidi Haavik, suggests that spinal function may influence how the brain processes sensory information and coordinates movement (3,5).
Chiropractic adjustments may help:
- Improve the quality of sensory input from the spine
- Support better integration between the brain and body
- Enhance coordination and balance responses
While more research is ongoing, these findings help explain why some patients report improvements in balance, body awareness, and dizziness when spinal function is optimized.
3. Addressing Muscle Tension and Posture
Tight muscles and poor posture, especially in the neck and upper back, may contribute to dizziness.
Care may include:
- Soft tissue techniques
- Postural correction strategies
- Movement and mobility exercises
These approaches may reduce strain and improve how the body processes positional information.
4. Collaborative and Conservative Approach
Dizziness is complex, and not all cases are appropriate for chiropractic care alone.
At Santé Chiropractic, we take a collaborative approach and refer to other healthcare providers when needed.
Our goal is to ensure each patient receives the right type of care based on their individual presentation.
Understanding the Cause of Dizziness Matters
Dizziness can have many different causes, from the inner ear and neck to the nervous system and beyond.
Understanding the source is key to finding the right approach.
In some cases, especially when the neck and posture are contributing factors, chiropractic care may help improve function and reduce symptoms.
However, dizziness should always be properly assessed to rule out more serious causes.
At Santé Chiropractic, we focus on identifying the root cause, supporting your body’s natural ability to adapt, and guiding you toward the most appropriate care.
Feeling Dizzy and Not Sure Why?
Book a consultation with our team, and let’s help you better understand what your body is telling you.
References
- Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical practice guideline: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017.
- Treleaven J. Dizziness, unsteadiness, visual disturbances, and postural control: implications for cervical spine disorders. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008.
- Kristjansson E, Treleaven J. Sensorimotor function and dizziness in neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009.
- Reid SA, Rivett DA. Manual therapy treatment of cervicogenic dizziness: a systematic review. Man Ther. 2005.
- Haavik H, Murphy B. Subclinical neck pain and the effects of cervical manipulation on elbow joint position sense. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011.
- Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012.