Some vertigo and dizziness starts in the neck. When the top two vertebrae, the atlas and axis, sit out of position, the joints and muscles there send the brain confusing signals about where your head is in space. Your inner ear and eyes say one thing, your neck says another, and you feel off balance. At Limitless Chiropractic in Ballantyne, we screen carefully for this kind of dizziness and treat it with gentle upper cervical care.
Not every dizzy spell comes from the neck. Inner ear crystals, inner ear infections, blood pressure, medications, and other medical conditions can all cause it. Our exam is designed to tell the difference, and if your dizziness points somewhere else, we will tell you and refer you.
Neck-related dizziness tends to show up with neck stiffness or pain, often after a whiplash injury, a fall, or long hours with your head forward at a desk. It often gets worse when you turn your head or hold it in one position.
Signs your dizziness may be coming from the neck
- Dizziness or unsteadiness together with neck pain or stiffness
- Symptoms that started after a car accident, fall, or sports hit
- Dizziness that changes when you turn or tilt your head
- Headaches at the base of the skull alongside the dizziness
- A normal inner ear work-up that did not explain the symptoms
How we evaluate dizziness
We take a careful history, then run neurological and balance tests to rule out an inner ear or medical cause. 3D imaging shows the exact position of the atlas and axis, and thermography shows whether the nervous system around the upper neck is under stress.
If the evidence points to the neck, we explain what we found and build a plan. If it does not, we refer you to the right provider.
How upper cervical care helps
Upper cervical care is a gentle, specific correction to the atlas and axis, with no twisting or cracking. When the top of the neck is aligned and moving well, the signals it sends to the brain about head position become clearer, and many people find their balance settles.
Results vary from person to person. Some notice a change within a few visits, others need longer. We re-test at every stage so you can see what is changing.