Vertigo can be a frightening and debilitating condition. The spinning sensation, dizziness, and imbalance that accompany vertigo can make normal daily activities extremely difficult. For many individuals, vertigo becomes a persistent problem that interferes with work, social life, and even the ability to leave the house.

Many patients spend months or years visiting specialists in search of answers. They may undergo extensive medical testing and try various medications or therapies without finding lasting relief.

For one Neckwise patient, vertigo became so severe that she was unable to function normally for months. What began after an illness gradually escalated into a condition that left her confined to bed for long periods of time.

After visiting urgent care clinics and specialists without improvement, she eventually discovered Neckwise and began exploring whether upper cervical chiropractic care could offer a different approach.

What followed was a gradual recovery that allowed her to return to normal life.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that creates the sensation that the environment around you is spinning or moving. Unlike ordinary lightheadedness, vertigo often involves disturbances in the body’s balance system.

Common symptoms include:

• • spinning sensations

• • dizziness

• • nausea

• • imbalance

• • difficulty walking

• • sensitivity to head movement

Vertigo is frequently associated with disorders affecting the inner ear. Some of the most common diagnoses include:

• • benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

• • vestibular neuritis

• • labyrinthitis

• • migraine-related vertigo

Because of this connection, many patients with vertigo are referred to ear, nose, and throat specialists or neurologists.

However, the body’s balance system is complex and involves multiple structures beyond the inner ear. The brainstem and nervous system also play critical roles in maintaining spatial orientation and balance.

The upper cervical spine, which consists of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, sits directly beneath the skull and surrounds the brainstem.

When misalignment occurs in this area, it may contribute to irritation of the nervous system that can influence balance and coordination.

For some patients with chronic vertigo, evaluating the upper cervical spine may provide new insight into symptoms that have not responded to other treatments.

Patient Background

Riley S., a young adult patient, first began experiencing vertigo following a severe bout of the flu.

At first, she assumed the dizziness was simply part of the illness and would resolve on its own.

However, even after recovering from the flu, the vertigo continued.

Weeks passed, and the symptoms did not improve.

Eventually the dizziness became so intense that it significantly limited her ability to function normally.

At one point, she spent nearly two months largely confined to bed because the vertigo made it difficult to move around.

For someone who had previously been active and independent, the sudden change was incredibly distressing.

She knew she needed to find answers.

Symptoms

When Riley began seeking help for her condition, she was experiencing several severe symptoms.

These included:

• • persistent vertigo

• • dizziness with movement

• • balance instability

• • ear fullness

• • difficulty leaving bed

Even simple activities such as standing up or walking could trigger symptoms.

Because of the dizziness, she often avoided leaving the house or participating in normal activities.

The vertigo also created anxiety about whether the symptoms would worsen or persist long term.

As the weeks went on, the situation became increasingly frustrating.

Previous Treatments Tried

Riley initially visited an urgent care clinic to determine what might be causing her symptoms.

At that time, she was told that the dizziness was likely related to inner ear dysfunction.

She was given over-the-counter medication to help manage the symptoms.

Unfortunately, the medication did not provide meaningful relief.

When the vertigo continued, she scheduled an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT).

During that visit, the doctor suggested that she might be experiencing migraine-related vertigo and prescribed medication for the condition.

Despite following the recommended treatment, her symptoms remained unchanged.

Weeks passed without improvement.

At this point, she felt discouraged and uncertain about what to do next.

The vertigo had already affected her ability to live a normal life, and she was searching for a solution that addressed the underlying cause.

The Neckwise Evaluation

Riley eventually learned about Neckwise through a personal referral from a family friend.

The friend suggested that she consider an evaluation of the upper cervical spine, an area that is not always examined during standard medical evaluations for vertigo.

When she visited Neckwise, the doctors performed a comprehensive examination of her upper cervical spine.

The evaluation process included:

• • detailed health history

• • neurological assessment

• • posture analysis

• • imaging of the upper neck

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses specifically on the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae.

These structures sit directly beneath the skull and surround the brainstem, which plays a major role in regulating balance and coordination.

The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether misalignment in this region may be contributing to irritation of the nervous system.

In Riley’s case, the doctors identified structural misalignment that could potentially affect neurological function related to balance.

Care Plan

After the evaluation, Riley began a personalized upper cervical care program.

Upper cervical chiropractic care differs from many traditional chiropractic methods.

The focus is not on frequent adjustments but on precise corrections followed by careful monitoring.

Corrections are extremely gentle and designed to restore proper alignment of the atlas vertebra.

Once a correction is made, the doctors monitor whether the alignment remains stable.

If the alignment holds, additional adjustments are not necessary.

This allows the nervous system time to adapt and recover.

Riley followed the recommended care plan and continued attending follow-up visits to monitor her progress.

Results

Shortly after beginning care, Riley noticed changes.

The first day after her correction, she experienced mild soreness but also began noticing subtle differences.

Within about a week, she started experiencing periods where she felt normal again.

For the first time in months, she was able to leave the house and go to the store.

Over the next several weeks, the improvement continued.

By approximately one to two months into care, she reported feeling completely back to normal.

She returned to social activities and was able to enjoy everyday life again.

Patient Quote

Riley describes the transformation this way:

“I’m 100% better and back to normal.”

After spending months struggling with vertigo and being largely confined to bed, the improvement was life-changing.

Why This Happens

The upper cervical spine plays an important role in supporting the nervous system.

The atlas vertebra sits directly beneath the skull and surrounds the brainstem.

The brainstem helps regulate balance, coordination, and communication between the brain and body.

When misalignment occurs in the upper cervical spine, it can contribute to irritation within the nervous system.

This irritation may interfere with balance signals and contribute to symptoms such as:

• • vertigo

• • dizziness

• • headaches

• • balance disturbances

By restoring proper alignment in this region, it may be possible to reduce irritation and allow the nervous system to function more efficiently.

While every patient’s experience is unique, many individuals with chronic symptoms notice improvement when this area of the spine is carefully evaluated.

FAQ

Can upper cervical chiropractic help vertigo after illness?

Some patients experience vertigo following infections or illnesses. In certain cases, evaluating the upper cervical spine may help determine whether structural issues are contributing to persistent symptoms.

Why didn’t medication fix the vertigo?

Medications often focus on reducing symptoms. If the underlying cause involves structural irritation in the nervous system, additional evaluation may be necessary.

How gentle are upper cervical adjustments?

Upper cervical corrections are extremely gentle and precise. They do not involve twisting or cracking of the neck.

How quickly can improvement occur?

Some patients notice changes quickly, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks.

Looking for Answers

If you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness, migraines, or other unexplained neurological symptoms and have not found clear answers, a detailed evaluation of the upper cervical spine may offer additional insight into what may be contributing to your condition.

At NeckWise, care is centered on precise, gentle upper cervical adjustments designed to support proper nervous system function and improve communication between the brain and body.

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