In plain terms
Vertigo & Dizziness, in plain terms
What it is
Dizziness is not just one feeling — it is a word people use to describe several different sensations. Some people feel like the room is spinning around them. That spinning feeling is called vertigo. Others feel like they might float away or faint. Still others just feel off-balance, like they might fall.
These feelings are very common. In fact, more than one in five adults in the United States deals with dizziness at some point each year. It is also one of the top reasons older adults visit a doctor.
The good news is that many causes of dizziness can be helped. The first step is figuring out what is causing yours.
Why it happens
Your body uses three systems to keep you balanced: your eyes, the balance organ in your inner ear, and sensors in your muscles and joints — especially in your neck. When any of these systems send mixed signals to your brain, you can feel dizzy.
One common cause is a problem with tiny crystals in your inner ear that get out of place. Another cause can be trouble in the upper part of your neck. The bones at the very top of your spine sit right next to nerves and blood vessels that help control your sense of balance. If those bones are not moving or sitting the way they should, it can affect how balanced you feel.
Sometimes dizziness has a more serious medical cause, so it is always important to have it checked out properly.
What it feels like
If you have vertigo, you may feel like you — or everything around you — is spinning, even when you are perfectly still. It can happen for just a few seconds or last for minutes at a time.
You might feel sick to your stomach, have trouble walking straight, or feel like the ground is moving under you. Some people have a hard time looking at screens or reading because it makes the spinning worse.
For many people, certain head movements — like rolling over in bed or tilting your head back — can set off a dizzy spell. This can make simple daily tasks feel scary.
How chiropractic care helps
A chiropractor looks at your whole body, but pays close attention to your spine — especially the top of your neck. If the bones there are not moving well, gentle chiropractic adjustments may help restore normal movement and reduce stress on the nerves nearby.
Dr. James Calloway, DC at Calloway Chiropractic & Wellness in Crystal River, FL takes a careful look at how your neck and spine are working. Based on what he finds, he may use a very gentle, low-force adjustment to the upper neck area. He may also suggest simple exercises or other supportive care.
Research suggests that manual care — including spinal adjustments — may help reduce dizziness symptoms for some people, especially when the neck is involved. Every person is different, so Dr. Calloway will explain what he thinks may help you most before any care begins.
What to expect
Your first visit at Calloway Chiropractic & Wellness starts with a conversation. Dr. Calloway will ask about your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse. He will also do a physical exam and may look at how you move and stand.
If chiropractic care seems like a good fit, he will walk you through a care plan in plain language — no pressure, no confusing terms. Some people notice changes in their symptoms fairly quickly; others need more time. Dr. Calloway will track your progress and adjust the plan as needed.
If your dizziness turns out to need a different kind of care, Dr. Calloway will let you know and can refer you to the right specialist. You can reach the office at (352) 555-0187 to schedule a visit.
The Science: For Those Who Want to Go Deeper
The mechanism
Dizziness is a non-specific symptom encompassing vertigo, lightheadedness, and imbalance — each reflecting distinct pathophysiological processes. Postural stability depends on the continuous integration of vestibular, visual, and somatosensory inputs, with proprioceptive signals from the cervical spine playing a particularly important role [2].
One proposed mechanism involves the atlas subluxation complex (ASC) — a misalignment pattern at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) involving the C1 vertebra. The CCJ sits in anatomical proximity to vestibular structures, relevant neural pathways, and craniospinal fluid dynamics. A narrative review synthesizing the available literature hypothesizes that ASC may constitute an etiological contributor to dizziness by disrupting normal sensory signaling at this junction [1][4].
A secondary theoretical pathway concerns craniospinal hydrodynamics. Research by Woodfield and colleagues found improved cerebrospinal fluid flow patterns following upper cervical low-force (UCLF) intervention in migraine cases, raising the possibility that ASC may act as a mechanical choke point for fluid movement at the CCJ — a hypothesis that requires direct investigation in dizziness populations [5].
Age-related vestibular hypofunction represents another clinically relevant dimension. As vestibular sensitivity declines with age, the nervous system increasingly relies on cervical proprioception and vision to maintain postural control; any disruption of cervical afferent signaling may therefore have an amplified effect on balance in older patients [2].
What the evidence shows
The epidemiological burden is substantial: dizziness affects more than 20% of U.S. adults annually and is among the most frequent presenting complaints in geriatric primary care. Despite this prevalence, the diagnostic accuracy for underlying causes remains suboptimal, and roughly half of affected patients are left with long-term disability — underscoring the need for expanded treatment options [1].
A systematic literature search spanning Index to Chiropractic Literature, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library identified 124 papers on upper cervical chiropractic and dizziness; 24 met inclusion criteria by clearly identifying ASC as a clinical entity in patients diagnosed with dizziness who subsequently underwent UCLF care. The authors of this review note that the body of evidence is primarily observational and explicitly call for randomized controlled trials before definitive clinical conclusions can be drawn [4][5].
Broader manual therapy research offers moderate-quality support. Systematic reviews focused on cervicogenic dizziness conclude there is moderate evidence for the use of spinal mobilization and manipulation. A small randomized trial evaluating instrument-assisted cervical or thoracic manipulation combined with multimodal chiropractic care reported favorable trends on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, though the trial was limited in size [2].
Evidence for chiropractic directly addressing vestibular dysfunction — as distinct from cervicogenic dizziness — is characterized in the literature as limited, and the field's current evidence base consists largely of case series and observational data [2][4]. The clinical picture that emerges is one of a plausible and potentially meaningful intervention for a subset of dizziness patients, particularly those with a cervical component, pending larger controlled trials.
When to seek other care
- Go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if your dizziness comes on suddenly and is also accompanied by a severe headache, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of your body, or vision changes — these can be signs of a stroke.
- Seek urgent medical care if you faint or lose consciousness along with dizziness, or if you feel chest pain or a rapid, irregular heartbeat at the same time.
- See a medical doctor promptly if your dizziness follows a head injury, even a mild one.
- If your dizziness is constant, getting noticeably worse over time, or is accompanied by significant hearing loss or ringing in your ears, schedule a medical evaluation to rule out inner ear disorders or other conditions that need specialized treatment.
- Chiropractic care is a complement to — not a replacement for — proper medical diagnosis. Dr. Calloway will always refer you to the appropriate provider if your presentation falls outside the scope of chiropractic care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a chiropractor really help with vertigo and dizziness?
- For some types of dizziness — especially when the neck is involved — chiropractic care has shown promise. Systematic reviews report moderate evidence supporting spinal manipulation and mobilization for cervicogenic dizziness (dizziness that originates from the neck). Research also suggests that gentle upper cervical adjustments may help some patients. Results vary by person, and Dr. Calloway will be honest with you about whether your specific situation is a good fit for chiropractic care.
- What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?
- Dizziness is a broad term that covers several feelings: spinning (that is vertigo), floating or near-fainting (lightheadedness), and general unsteadiness. Vertigo specifically means you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning even when everything is still. Knowing which type you have helps point toward the right cause and the right care.
- Is vertigo dangerous?
- Most vertigo is not dangerous on its own, but it can raise your risk of falling — which is a real concern, especially for older adults. Some causes of dizziness can be serious, so it is important to get a proper evaluation. If your dizziness comes with sudden severe headache, weakness, or trouble speaking, seek emergency care right away.
- What does a chiropractic adjustment for dizziness feel like?
- For dizziness related to the upper neck, Dr. Calloway often uses a very gentle, low-force approach. Many patients are surprised by how light the contact feels — it is nothing like the dramatic adjustments you may have seen online. You will be fully informed about what will happen before any care begins, and you can ask questions at any point.
- How many visits will I need?
- There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some patients notice improvement in symptoms within a few visits; others with longer-standing or more complex conditions may need a longer course of care. After your initial evaluation, Dr. Calloway will give you a realistic care plan with clear goals so you always know where things stand.
- How do I get started at Calloway Chiropractic & Wellness?
- Simply call us at (352) 555-0187. Our office is located in Crystal River, FL. Dr. James Calloway, DC will take time to listen to your history, perform a thorough evaluation, and discuss your options in plain language — no pressure, no confusing jargon.
Sources & Research
This page was written from the following passages in our chiropractic research library.
- 1.bakris 17252032 pmc
full text ( pmc body ) introduction and background background dizziness is a common condition, affecting over 20 % of adults in the united states annually [ 1, 2 ]. " dizziness " is a term used to describe many sensations, such as vertigo…
- 2.haavik 21334539 pmc
changes following tactile acuity training [ 118 ]. a pilot study assessing the effectiveness of barefoot exercise on fall prevention in older adults found favorable effects on plantar sensation [ 119 ]. lastly, another study reported that…
- 3.bakris 17252032 pmc
the essential factors needed to correct the misalignment optimally ( figure 6 ) [ 22 ]. in 1971, nucca formed a research organization to scientifically scrutinize and advance the nucca procedure instead of relying on blind faith and…
- 4.bakris 17252032 pmc
, as health care and health sciences continue to move towards an evidence - informed model, we must examine the available evidence and identify gaps. this narrative review shall accomplish the following : 1 ) synthesize the available…
- 5.bakris 17252032 pmc
, testing if the asc has direct negative sensory consequences to the vestibular semicircular canals. the asc's affect on craniospinal hydrodynamics : though flanagan's paper examined how the ccj can be a " choke point " for craniospinal…