Posted on31 July 2025,in

What Is Vertigo? Understanding the Dizzying Disorder

Vertigo is not just feeling dizzy—it’s the unsettling, often debilitating sensation that the world is spinning, tilting, or swaying, even when you’re completely still. While dizziness can feel like lightheadedness, vertigo typically creates the illusion of movement, affecting balance, coordination, and your ability to focus or function normally.

Vertigo may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

Nausea or vomiting
Loss of balance or unsteadiness
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Headaches or migraines
Visual disturbances
Ear fullness or hearing changes
Brain fog or confusion

These symptoms can occur suddenly, last from seconds to days, and severely impact daily life. Unfortunately, many patients are given medications that merely dull the symptoms—without ever addressing the true root cause.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is often misunderstood as an issue only related to the inner ear, such as in cases of:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Caused by displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear.
Ménière’s Disease: Fluid imbalance and pressure in the inner ear.
Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often due to infection.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): A chronic dizziness that worsens with motion and complex environments.
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS): A feeling of rocking or motion, often after travel.

While these inner ear conditions play a role, many patients never get a full resolution with standard treatments like medications, vestibular therapy, or Epley maneuvers. That’s because the central processing center for balance and equilibrium—the brainstem and upper cervical spine—is often overlooked.

This is where upper cervical chiropractic care becomes vital.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Balance and Vertigo

Your upper cervical spine consists of the top two bones in the neck: the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). These vertebrae protect the lower brainstem and upper spinal cord, a region that controls balance, posture, eye movements, blood flow to the brain, and neurological communication between the inner ear and the brain.

If the atlas or axis becomes misaligned—often from trauma, whiplash, poor posture, or repetitive stress—it can cause:

Brainstem irritation
Disrupted blood flow to the inner ear and vestibular centers
Abnormal signals between the body and brain
Nervous system dysfunction
Impaired proprioception and balance feedback

This neurological interference can mimic, trigger, or worsen vertigo symptoms—even if the inner ear is functioning normally. And because the upper cervical spine can influence the function of the entire central nervous system, a misalignment here can affect balance, vision, hearing, and coordination all at once.

What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

Upper cervical chiropractic is a highly specialized form of chiropractic care that focuses on detecting and correcting misalignments of the atlas and axis—the top bones of the spine—using precise, non-invasive techniques.

Unlike general chiropractic adjustments that may twist, crack, or pop the spine, upper cervical care is:

Gentle and Specific
Based on Advanced Imaging (such as 3D CBCT scans)
Focused on Nervous System Function
Customized to Your Unique Anatomy
Performed with Millimeter-Level Precision

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we utilize state-of-the-art Cone Beam CT scans and functional nervous system scans using Tytron thermography to locate exact areas of misalignment and neurological interference.

When corrected properly, upper cervical adjustments can:

Restore balance and communication in the brainstem
Normalize vestibular system function
Improve blood flow and fluid dynamics in the head and neck
Help patients finally overcome chronic vertigo that hasn’t responded to other treatments

Why Traditional Treatments Often Fall Short

Many patients who suffer from vertigo spend years bouncing between ENTs, neurologists, vestibular therapists, and primary care providers. They may be told to:

Take motion sickness drugs or vestibular suppressants
Do Epley or Brandt-Daroff exercises
Use anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications
Avoid sudden movements or bright lights
“Live with it”

While some of these strategies may offer temporary relief, they rarely address the root cause of vestibular dysfunction when the issue is neurological or spinal in origin.

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal,” yet you still experience symptoms, it’s time to consider your upper cervical spine as the missing piece of the puzzle.

Lavender Family Chiropractic: The Premier Vertigo and Upper Cervical Clinic in Sarasota and Beyond

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we specialize in helping patients suffering from vertigo, dizziness, balance issues, and complex neurological symptoms. Our clinic, led by Dr. Rusty Lavender, Dr. Jacob Temple, and Dr. Will Guzinski, is known across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Venice, Ellenton, and Punta Gorda as the go-to destination for advanced upper cervical care.

Here’s what sets our office apart:

3D CBCT Imaging: Allows us to see your upper cervical anatomy in high-definition, from every angle, to find the precise misalignment affecting your nervous system.
Infrared Thermography Scans (Tytron): Measures heat patterns along your spine to assess nervous system stress and function.
No Twisting, Cracking, or Popping: Our technique is precise, light, and gentle—safe for all ages and conditions.
Team of Experts: Three experienced doctors committed to your long-term healing.
Whole-Body Approach: We don’t just chase symptoms. We correct the root misalignment so your body can function the way it was designed to.

Patient Success Story: Finding Hope After Years of Spinning

“I came to Lavender Family Chiropractic after struggling with vertigo for over two years. I had tried ENT visits, balance therapy, and medications, but nothing really worked. After just a few weeks of upper cervical adjustments, my vertigo attacks stopped. I can now drive, go to work, and enjoy time with my kids again. I only wish I had found them sooner.”
— Samantha D., Sarasota FL

How to Know If Upper Cervical Misalignment Is Causing Your Vertigo

While not all vertigo originates from the neck, if you’ve experienced any of the following, you may benefit from an upper cervical chiropractic evaluation:

Previous car accident, fall, or head injury
Whiplash or concussion—even years ago
Unexplained or chronic vertigo or dizziness
Poor posture or forward head position
Clicking or grinding in your neck
Feeling off-balance when walking
Numbness, tingling, or visual disturbances
Headaches or migraines in addition to vertigo

Our doctors perform a comprehensive exam, including neurological assessments, spinal scans, and imaging, to determine if your vertigo is linked to misalignment at the top of your spine.

Top 15 FAQs About Vertigo and Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Can upper cervical chiropractic fix vertigo?
Yes—many patients experience dramatic improvements or full resolution when their misalignment is corrected.
How is upper cervical chiropractic different from regular chiropractic?
It focuses exclusively on the top two bones of the neck using gentle, image-guided techniques.
Does it hurt?
No. Adjustments are precise and gentle—most patients are surprised by how light the correction feels.
Do I need a referral from an ENT or neurologist?
No referral is necessary, though we work with other healthcare providers when needed.
What if I’ve had vertigo for years?
Chronic cases often respond well to upper cervical care—especially if no one has evaluated your neck alignment.
Is this safe for seniors?
Yes—our technique is extremely safe and gentle, ideal for seniors and people with complex conditions.
Will I need adjustments forever?
Our goal is not to create dependency, but to restore alignment so your body holds the correction longer over time.
How do you know where to adjust?
We use CBCT scans and Tytron scans to find exact misalignments unique to your anatomy.
What if I’ve never had a neck injury?
Misalignments can develop from poor posture, repetitive stress, or old trauma—even if you don’t remember it.
Is this covered by insurance?
Our office is out of network with insurance. Many patients receive a superbill for potential reimbursement. We also offer flexible payment options.
Can this help other conditions like tinnitus or migraines?
Absolutely. Many patients notice improvements in related symptoms like headaches, ear ringing, and brain fog.
How long until I feel better?
Some feel immediate relief. Others take a few weeks or months depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.
Is this just for neck pain?
No—upper cervical chiropractic impacts the nervous system, which controls balance, brain function, and more.
What makes Lavender Family Chiropractic different?
Our advanced imaging, three-doctor team, and neurological approach help us provide unmatched care in Sarasota and beyond.
How do I get started?
Call (941) 243-3729 or visit www.chiropractorsarasotaflorida.com to schedule your consultation.

A Natural, Lasting Solution for Vertigo

If you’re tired of feeling like the room is spinning, if your life feels limited by balance issues or unexplained dizziness, don’t wait for things to get worse. Vertigo is not something you have to live with—and masking symptoms isn’t your only option.

By addressing the neurological root cause in the upper cervical spine, we help patients across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, Parrish, Ellenton, Punta Gorda, and surrounding areas reclaim their balance, clarity, and quality of life.

Take the First Step Toward Healing Today

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we don’t chase symptoms—we correct the cause. Discover the difference upper cervical chiropractic can make in your vertigo recovery.

Lavender Family Chiropractic in Sarasota Florida offers complimentary consultations to learn more about you. Click the link below!

https://intake.chirohd.com/new-patient-scheduling/724/lavender-family-chiropractic