August is a great time to talk about something I see often in my office: vertigo and dizziness. Whether it shows up as occasional wooziness or full-on room-spinning episodes, vertigo can be frustrating, scary, and downright exhausting.
Most people associate vertigo with inner ear issues like crystals in the ear (a condition called BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). When those tiny calcium crystals shift into the wrong canals, they can send the brain mixed signals about your body’s position, and that can trigger spinning sensations or imbalance.
In some cases, repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver can help.
But what if you’ve tried that… and the dizziness is still there?
When It’s Not the Ear, It Might Be the Neck
If your symptoms aren’t resolving with traditional vertigo treatment, there may be something else contributing: your upper cervical spine.
The C1 and C2 vertebrae at the top of your neck are responsible for protecting your brainstem and helping your body process signals related to balance, coordination, and head movement. When this area is misaligned (even slightly), it can interfere with how your brain interprets movement—leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, or that “off” feeling.
This kind of dizziness is known as cervicogenic vertigo—which means the source is coming from the neck.
Signs You Might Be Dealing with Cervicogenic Vertigo
Dizziness that worsens with head movement or turning your neck
A sense of imbalance, even if your hearing and ears are fine
Dizziness that doesn’t respond to inner ear treatments
A history of whiplash, concussion, or neck tension
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help
At ALIVE Wellness Center, we specialize in gentle corrections to the upper neck that help realign the spine, reduce nervous system irritation, and allow your body to process signals more clearly.
We don’t twist, crack, or pop the spine. Instead, we use a specific approach that helps restore balance where it matters most—right between the head and neck.
Many of our patients with vertigo and dizziness report feeling more grounded, clear, and steady after a series of upper cervical corrections.
If you or someone you love is tired of feeling like the world is spinning, let’s explore if your neck might be part of the problem. Consults are always free—just text to schedule or fill out the consult request link above.