Vertigo Dizziness Upper Darby: Causes, Evaluation & Relief

If you are searching for vertigo dizziness Upper Darby information because you feel dizzy, off balance, lightheaded, or as though the room is spinning, determining the cause is the most important first step.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, we evaluate patients who may experience dizziness along with neck pain, headaches, restricted movement, or other musculoskeletal complaints. Because dizziness and vertigo have many possible causes, not every case is appropriate for chiropractic care.

What Is the Difference Between Vertigo and Dizziness?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, vertigo and dizziness are not exactly the same.

Vertigo usually describes a false sensation of movement or spinning, even though you or your surroundings are not actually moving. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that balance disorders can produce symptoms including vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness.

Dizziness is a broader term that may describe:

  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Feeling unsteady
  • Feeling off balance
  • Feeling faint
  • A spinning sensation
  • Difficulty maintaining balance

Understanding exactly what you feel, when it occurs, and what triggers it can help guide the evaluation.

What Can Cause Vertigo or Dizziness?

Vertigo and dizziness can have many possible causes.

These may include:

  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  • Inner-ear disorders
  • Vestibular problems
  • Migraine
  • Medication side effects
  • Blood-pressure changes
  • Dehydration
  • Head injuries
  • Neurological conditions
  • Other medical conditions

Because treatment depends on the underlying cause, dizziness should not automatically be assumed to originate from the neck or spine.

For additional information, visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders guide to balance disorders.

What Is BPPV?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, commonly called BPPV, is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause sudden episodes of dizziness, spinning, or vertigo with changes in head position.

Symptoms may occur when:

  • Rolling over in bed
  • Looking upward
  • Bending down
  • Getting out of bed
  • Turning the head

BPPV may be treated with specific repositioning maneuvers when appropriately diagnosed. Clinical guidelines emphasize accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic repositioning procedures for BPPV.

Can Neck Problems Occur With Dizziness?

Some patients experience dizziness at the same time as neck pain, headaches, stiffness, or restricted neck movement.

However, having neck pain and dizziness together does not automatically mean the neck is causing the dizziness.

An evaluation may consider:

  • When symptoms began
  • How long episodes last
  • Whether head or neck movement affects symptoms
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Headaches
  • History of injury
  • Balance problems
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Current medications
  • Other medical symptoms

If you also experience neck pain or headaches, learn more about our chiropractic treatment for neck pain and headaches in Upper Darby.

How Is Vertigo Dizziness Upper Darby Evaluated?

When a patient comes to Everybody’s Chiropractic Center with dizziness and musculoskeletal symptoms, we begin by reviewing the history and determining whether chiropractic evaluation is appropriate.

Health History

We discuss when the symptoms began, what they feel like, how long they last, and whether certain movements or activities trigger them.

Musculoskeletal Examination

When appropriate, your chiropractor may evaluate neck movement, posture, muscle tension, joint mobility, and other musculoskeletal findings.

Neurological Screening

Strength, sensation, reflexes, coordination, or other neurological findings may be assessed when clinically indicated.

Symptom and Balance Patterns

We may ask whether symptoms occur when:

  • Standing up
  • Walking
  • Rolling over in bed
  • Moving the head
  • Looking upward
  • Bending down
  • Performing certain activities

If the history or examination suggests an inner-ear, neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical condition, referral to an appropriate healthcare professional may be recommended.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Vertigo or Dizziness?

Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every cause of dizziness or vertigo.

When a patient’s symptoms occur along with a musculoskeletal neck problem, chiropractic treatment may sometimes focus on the identified joint, muscle, or movement dysfunction.

Depending on the examination findings, conservative care may include:

  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Joint mobilization
  • Soft tissue techniques
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Rehabilitation
  • Posture and movement recommendations

Treatment should be based on the individual patient’s findings rather than assuming that all dizziness is caused by spinal dysfunction.

What Are Repositioning Maneuvers for BPPV?

When BPPV is correctly diagnosed, specific head and body movements known as canalith repositioning maneuvers may be used to move displaced particles within the inner ear.

The Epley maneuver is one example of a series of movements used to treat BPPV.

These procedures are different from routine chiropractic adjustments and should be used when the patient’s symptoms and examination are consistent with BPPV.

When Should Dizziness or Vertigo Be Evaluated Urgently?

Some cases of dizziness require prompt medical attention.

Seek urgent medical evaluation if sudden dizziness or vertigo occurs along with symptoms such as:

  • New weakness or numbness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Facial drooping
  • Severe or unusual headache
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty walking
  • Double vision or sudden visual changes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Sudden severe symptoms unlike previous episodes

Vertigo can occasionally be associated with conditions involving the brain, including stroke, so severe new symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be benign.

How Long Does Vertigo Last?

The duration depends on the cause.

Some episodes may last only seconds, while others may continue for minutes, hours, or longer.

For example, BPPV typically causes brief episodes triggered by specific changes in head position.

The timing, duration, and triggers of your symptoms can provide important information during an evaluation.

What Should I Tell My Provider About My Dizziness?

Before your appointment, it can help to note:

  • When symptoms started
  • How long each episode lasts
  • Whether you feel spinning or lightheadedness
  • What seems to trigger the symptoms
  • Whether changing head position affects them
  • Whether you have nausea
  • Whether you have headaches
  • Any changes in hearing
  • Whether you have neck pain
  • Recent injuries
  • Current medications
  • Any numbness, weakness, visual changes, or speech problems

These details can help determine whether additional evaluation or referral is appropriate.

Vertigo Dizziness Upper Darby Evaluation

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center evaluates patients with vertigo dizziness Upper Darby concerns when symptoms occur alongside neck pain, headaches, or other musculoskeletal complaints.

We serve patients from:

  • Upper Darby
  • Drexel Hill
  • Havertown
  • Springfield
  • Lansdowne
  • Clifton Heights
  • Broomall
  • Media
  • Newtown Square
  • West Philadelphia
  • Surrounding Delaware County communities

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center

Schedule a Vertigo and Dizziness Evaluation

If you are experiencing dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, neck pain, or headaches, identifying the cause should come before choosing treatment.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we can evaluate whether your symptoms appear to have a musculoskeletal component and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether referral to another healthcare provider is recommended.

Call 610-789-1800 or schedule a consultation with Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA.