WHAT IS VERTIGO
Vertigo is a type of dizziness where the person feels a spinning or swaying movement, typically accompanied by nausea, sweating and difficulty walking or standing. It is intimately involved in our sense of equilibrium (our sense of balance) and can come on suddenly and without warning. Triggered by head position, Vertigo will most often kick in when a person moves their head suddenly in a certain direction.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN & WHAT CAUSES VERTIGO
At Seven Point Wellness, what we see most times with patients that come in complaining of Vertigo is a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). There are at least 3 types of BPPV that can occur, and its vital that a careful and discerning diagnosis correctly identify which type the patient is exhibiting in order to proceed and treat it in an effective manner.
WHAT IS Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a condition that occurs when bio-crystals, called “otoconia,” break free within the inner ear (via degeneration) and float to one of the other parts of the inner ear. This sends a mixed message to your brain, which normally receives feedback about proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of the body) and spatial orientation (the ability to identify the position or direction of points in space) to help keep you balanced.
Our initial goal is to determine which canal the bio-crystals traveled to, as it will explain the type of BPPV the patient is experiencing. This is diagnosed via several simple assessment maneuvers that typically take about 5 minutes to perform.
WHAT THREE TYPES OF VERTIGO ASSOCIATED WITH BPPV
The posterior semicircular canal is by far the most common cause for Vertigo (85%) when diagnosed with BPPV, followed by the horizontal semicircular canal (10%) and the anterior semicircular canal (5%). When treating this condition, it is this specificity that most times proves the difference between getting rid of Vertigo completely and having it just hang on or return at a later date.
OTHER REASONS FOR VERTIGO . . .
The second most common reason for Vertigo is Cervicogenic dizziness (CGD), which is a dizziness that results from an imbalance in a person’s neck alignment. This can happen due to some sort of trauma like a car accident or a fall that shifts or compromises the alignment of the neck. As well, long-term stress, bad desk or sleep position can also cause tight neck muscles and prompt Vertigo symptoms.
Vestibular Neuritis (ear infection) is a somewhat less common cause, and in rare cases Meniere’s disease or Central Nervous system conditions like Multiple Sclerosis can bring on symptoms of Vertigo.
Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) has been shown to be very successful in treating any of the pathways of Vertigo.
If you’ve been dealing with Vertigo and would like to schedule an assessment and treatment, feel free to contact us and we’ll set you up for an appointment. Unless there are other mitigating factors, consider that a holistic approach may resolve your Vertigo symptoms in just one to three sessions.
Phil Veneziano, M.S, L.Ac.
phil@sevenpointwellness.com
(917) 210-1063
Seven Point Wellness is an Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Clinic located at 187 Millburn Ave., Suite #101 in Millburn, NJ, in the Trader Joe / CVS Business Complex.
We are an easy drive from Maplewood, South Orange, Short Hills, Livingston and most cities in Union, Morris and Essex County, NJ.
We are also an easy walk from the New Jersey Transit via bus or train.
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