Posted on7 August 2025,in

Are You Searching for a Trusted Vertigo Doctor Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch, Florida?

Vertigo Doctor Sarasota: If you’re experiencing dizziness, spinning sensations, or unexplained balance issues, you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from vertigo every year — and many struggle to find lasting relief. At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we specialize in helping people overcome vertigo and regain control of their lives. As the top vertigo doctors in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, our unique approach to care focuses on identifying and correcting the root cause — not just masking the symptoms.

We understand how debilitating vertigo can be. Whether it’s triggered by sudden movement, stress, or seemingly no reason at all, our goal is to help you find real answers through gentle, precise, and non-invasive upper cervical chiropractic care.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

What vertigo is and why it happens
Common types of vertigo, including BPPV, MdDS, and Meniere’s Disease
The neurological link between the upper neck and the inner ear
Why Lavender Family Chiropractic is the best vertigo doctor in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch
How our 3D CBCT imaging and nervous system scans help identify the cause
Patient testimonials from real vertigo sufferers

What Is Vertigo? Understanding the Spinning Sensation

Vertigo is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue — typically involving the inner ear, brainstem, or cervical spine. It creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or moving, even when you’re standing still.

Common Vertigo Symptoms Include:

Spinning or whirling (even while lying down)
Unsteadiness, as if the ground is shifting
Nausea or vomiting
Difficulty focusing or reading
Sensitivity to motion or changes in position
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
A sensation of fullness in the ears

The Most Common Types of Vertigo We Treat in Sarasota

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, our experienced team specializes in resolving various types of vertigo, each with its own unique causes and symptoms.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

This is the most common cause of vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear — called otoconia — become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals. These crystals interfere with your balance sensors and create intense, short-lived spinning sensations, especially with head movement.

Symptoms of BPPV:

Sudden spinning sensation with head turns
Dizziness when lying down, rolling over, or sitting up
Episodes typically last under a minute
Nausea or disorientation after movements

Upper Cervical Connection with BPPV:

BPPV may be triggered or worsened by upper neck trauma, including car accidents, sports injuries, or even poor posture. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine (especially C1/C2) can disrupt the nervous system’s control over balance and ear function.

Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS)

MdDS is a rare but frustrating condition that often begins after a cruise, flight, or long car ride. Patients feel like they’re still moving — even weeks or months after disembarking.

Symptoms of MdDS:

Persistent rocking, swaying, or bobbing sensations
Imbalance while walking or standing still
Sensory sensitivity
Anxiety and brain fog

Upper Cervical Connection with MdDS:

Research suggests that MdDS involves abnormal communication between the vestibular system and the brainstem. The brainstem is protected by the upper cervical spine. Misalignment in this area can interfere with proprioceptive feedback, creating ongoing motion sensations even when stationary.

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s is a chronic inner ear disorder characterized by episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. These episodes can be unpredictable and intense, often lasting 20 minutes to several hours.

Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease:

Spinning vertigo attacks
Hearing loss in one ear
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing)
Aural fullness (pressure in the ear)
Nausea and vomiting

Upper Cervical Connection with Meniere’s:

Meniere’s is believed to involve improper fluid regulation in the inner ear. The nerves controlling these systems run through the brainstem and cervical spine. When the upper neck is misaligned, it can irritate the vestibulocochlear nerve, disrupt blood flow, and affect fluid drainage — all of which may contribute to Meniere’s symptoms.

The Upper Cervical Spine and Vertigo: The Missing Link

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, our approach is different. Rather than focusing solely on your ears, we look at how your brain and body communicate through the nervous system — specifically through the upper cervical spine, where the brainstem meets the spinal cord.

Why the Upper Neck Matters:

The C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) vertebrae sit just beneath the skull and surround the brainstem
Even slight misalignments in this area can put pressure on the nervous system
These misalignments can interfere with signals between the brain, ears, and body — triggering vertigo

Common Causes of Upper Cervical Misalignment:

Whiplash or car accidents
Sports injuries
Concussions or head trauma
Poor posture and forward head carriage
Falls (even from childhood)

What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care at Lavender Family Chiropractic?

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specialized and highly precise branch of chiropractic that focuses exclusively on the top two bones in the neck — the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). These vertebrae sit just beneath the skull and surround the most delicate and vital part of the nervous system: the brainstem. This area acts as the control center for balance, coordination, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and communication between the brain and body.

Unlike general chiropractic that addresses the entire spine with twisting, cracking, or popping, upper cervical care is uniquely designed to gently and accurately correct misalignments in the upper neck. Even the slightest shift in the C1 or C2 vertebra can cause irritation to the brainstem, compress nerves, reduce blood flow, and disrupt cerebrospinal fluid — leading to a wide range of chronic health issues including vertigo, migraines, TMJ, post-concussion syndrome, and more.

The Importance of the Upper Neck

The upper cervical spine plays a key role in maintaining proper posture, equilibrium, and neurological function. When the atlas or axis becomes misaligned — whether from a car accident, fall, sports injury, or even poor posture — the entire spine compensates. This creates a ripple effect that may result in:

Neck pain or stiffness
Low back pain
Dizziness and balance disorders
Facial pain or nerve irritation
Chronic fatigue or brain fog
Numbness or tingling in the limbs

Because this region doesn’t always produce noticeable pain, many people live with upper cervical misalignment for years without realizing it. That’s why objective imaging and nervous system testing are essential in accurately detecting the problem.

Gentle, Non-Invasive, and Precise

Upper cervical adjustments are different from anything you’ve likely experienced before. At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we use advanced technology including 3D CBCT (cone beam CT) imaging and paraspinal thermography scans to detect the exact degree and direction of misalignment.

Our corrections are:

Gentle – no twisting, popping, or cracking
Precise – customized to your exact misalignment pattern
Effective – designed to restore long-term balance and healing

Once the upper neck is realigned properly, the nervous system can function optimally, allowing the body to begin its natural healing process. Many patients report immediate improvements in symptoms such as vertigo, headaches, numbness, and fatigue after just one adjustment.

Healing from the Top Down

Your body is designed to heal — but it cannot do so when the brain and body are disconnected. By restoring alignment and communication at the upper cervical level, this form of care unlocks your body’s full healing potential.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic vertigo, migraines, neurological symptoms, or unexplained health issues, upper cervical chiropractic care may be the solution you’ve been searching for.

At Lavender Family Chiropractic, we’re proud to offer this advanced form of chiropractic care to Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.

Real Patient Testimonials: Vertigo Relief in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch

✨ “After struggling with vertigo for years and trying every ENT, PT, and medication, I finally found Lavender Family Chiropractic. Within weeks, the spinning was gone — and I haven’t had an episode since.” – Michelle T., Sarasota

✨ “I used to avoid driving over bridges because the vertigo was so bad. Now I’m back to living normally again, thanks to Dr. Rusty and the team.” – James R., Lakewood Ranch