Vertigo can be one of the most disruptive health conditions a person can experience. The sensation of spinning, imbalance, and dizziness can make everyday activities difficult or even impossible. Many patients suffering from vertigo visit multiple specialists, undergo extensive testing, and try numerous treatments before finding relief.

For Corinne, vertigo had been part of her life for nearly four decades. Beginning at the age of 18, she experienced persistent dizziness that continued to affect her health, mobility, and quality of life for 38 years. Despite seeing doctors, undergoing advanced medical testing, and trying various therapies, she still struggled with episodes of vertigo that would come and go throughout her life.

Eventually, after years of searching for answers, Corinne discovered Neckwise and began exploring whether upper cervical chiropractic care could provide a different approach to her condition.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition characterized by the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, even when there is no actual movement. It is often associated with dizziness, imbalance, nausea, and difficulty maintaining stable posture.

Many cases of vertigo are believed to originate from issues in the inner ear, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, or Meniere’s disease. Because of this, many patients are referred to ear, nose, and throat specialists or neurologists.

Common vertigo symptoms include:

• • spinning sensations

• • dizziness

• • balance instability

• • nausea

• • sensitivity to head movement

• • difficulty walking or standing

However, not all vertigo originates from the inner ear. In some cases, dysfunction within the upper cervical spine—the top two bones of the neck—can contribute to abnormal neurological signals affecting balance and spatial awareness.

The upper neck sits directly beneath the brainstem, which plays a critical role in coordinating balance, posture, and communication between the brain and body. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can lead to irritation of the nervous system that may contribute to symptoms like dizziness and vertigo.

Patient Background

Corinne is a 57-year-old patient who first experienced vertigo at the age of 18. The symptoms appeared suddenly and without any clear explanation.

At first, the episodes were occasional. However, over time they began to recur periodically and sometimes worsened as she grew older.

Like many people dealing with unexplained vertigo, Corinne sought help from a variety of medical providers over the years.

She visited multiple doctors and specialists and underwent extensive testing to try to identify the cause of her symptoms.

Despite these efforts, no long-term solution was found.

Corinne recalls spending years searching for answers and experimenting with different therapies, hoping to find something that could help her regain a sense of normal balance.

Symptoms

Over the course of nearly four decades, Corinne experienced a variety of symptoms related to vertigo.

These included:

• • persistent dizziness

• • sudden vertigo episodes

• • difficulty maintaining balance

• • periods where symptoms would worsen unexpectedly

• • instability during movement

At times, the symptoms could interfere with normal activities and create concern about whether the condition might worsen.

Corinne remained determined not to let vertigo control her life. Even during difficult episodes, she worked hard to maintain activity and keep moving forward.

Still, the recurring nature of the symptoms left her searching for a more reliable solution.

Previous Treatments Tried

Like many vertigo patients, Corinne pursued multiple treatment options before discovering upper cervical chiropractic care.

Over the years, she consulted with:

• • neurologists

• • medical doctors

• • physical therapists

She also underwent extensive diagnostic testing including:

• • MRI scans

• • CT scans

• • vestibular testing

• • balance assessments

One of the tests she recalls involved water being placed into the ear during vestibular testing to evaluate balance responses.

While these tests helped rule out certain conditions, they did not lead to a long-term solution for her vertigo.

Corinne also experimented with medications designed to reduce vertigo symptoms. However, she preferred to avoid relying on medication whenever possible and continued searching for a more natural approach.

Despite trying numerous treatments, the vertigo continued to appear periodically.

The Neckwise Evaluation

Years later, Corinne came across Neckwise while browsing Instagram and learning about upper cervical chiropractic care.

The approach immediately caught her attention because it was different from anything she had tried before.

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses specifically on the top two bones of the neck, known as the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). These structures sit directly beneath the brainstem and play an important role in supporting proper neurological function.

During her visit to Neckwise, Corinne underwent a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess the alignment and function of the upper cervical spine.

This evaluation typically includes:

• • detailed health history

• • neurological examination

• • posture assessment

• • advanced imaging such as CBCT scans

• • specialized analysis of the atlas and axis

The goal of this process is to determine whether misalignment in the upper cervical spine may be contributing to irritation of the nervous system.

In Corinne’s case, the doctors identified structural issues in the upper neck that could potentially influence neurological balance pathways.

Care Plan

Following the evaluation, Corinne began a personalized upper cervical care plan.

The focus of this approach is not on frequent adjustments, but rather on making precise corrections when necessary and allowing the body time to stabilize.

Upper cervical corrections are extremely gentle and targeted. The goal is to restore proper alignment of the atlas and axis while reducing irritation in the nervous system.

Once alignment improves, the body is often able to begin adapting and healing more efficiently.

During the care process, patients are regularly monitored to determine whether adjustments are necessary or whether the correction is holding.

This helps ensure that care is both precise and individualized.

Results

Over time, Corinne began noticing significant improvements in her vertigo symptoms.

The episodes that had affected her for decades gradually diminished.

Today, she reports something she once thought might never happen.

Her dizziness has resolved.

She now visits the clinic occasionally for maintenance visits to help maintain her alignment and support ongoing neurological health.

Patient Quote

Corinne describes her experience in simple but powerful terms:

“I just can’t believe that I am not dizzy anymore.”

After nearly 38 years of dealing with vertigo, the improvement was something she had once thought might never happen.

Why This Happens

The upper cervical spine plays an important role in the communication between the brain and the body.

The brainstem sits directly above the atlas and axis vertebrae and helps regulate many critical neurological processes, including balance and spatial orientation.

When the upper cervical spine becomes misaligned, it can create irritation within the nervous system that disrupts normal signaling pathways.

This irritation may contribute to symptoms such as:

• • vertigo

• • dizziness

• • balance instability

• • headaches

• • neurological dysfunction

By restoring proper alignment to the upper cervical spine, it is possible to reduce irritation in the nervous system and allow the body to function more efficiently.

While every patient responds differently, many individuals who have struggled with chronic symptoms find improvement when the upper cervical spine is properly evaluated and corrected.

FAQ

Can upper cervical chiropractic help vertigo?

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the upper neck and the nervous system. In some patients, misalignment in this region may contribute to dizziness or balance issues. Evaluating the upper cervical spine can help determine whether it may be playing a role.

Why do many vertigo patients have normal MRI results?

MRI scans are designed to detect structural abnormalities such as tumors or lesions. However, they may not detect subtle biomechanical misalignments in the upper cervical spine that can affect neurological signaling.

How is upper cervical care different from traditional chiropractic?

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses specifically on the top two bones of the neck. Corrections are extremely precise and gentle, and adjustments are only performed when necessary.

How long does it take to see results?

Every patient is different. Some people experience improvement quickly, while others may require a longer period of care depending on how long the condition has been present.

Considering Upper Cervical Care

If you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness, migraines, or other unexplained neurological symptoms, a comprehensive upper cervical evaluation may help determine whether the upper neck is contributing to your condition.

The doctors at NeckWise focus on precise, gentle upper cervical care designed to support nervous system function and help patients regain stability, comfort, and quality of life.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit NeckWise.com and connect with a member of the team.